Travel and Tourism Industry [Archive] - Page 46

majaba98

April 8th, 2011, 08:36 AM

This is sad. I hope this doesn't happen to Philippine beaches. :ohno:

Bali drowning in sewage and 'slowly committing suicide', says Time magazine

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2011/04/08/1226035/956911-bali-rubbish.jpg

ONE of Australia's favourite holiday destinations has been slammed as a sewage-ridden waste-ground that is "slowly committing suicide".

Bali tourism chiefs are reeling after Time magazine attacked the island's hygiene standards and claimed that the beaches were a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.

Tourists had even been warned that swimming at Kuta Beach for more than 30 minutes could cause skin infections.

Under the headline "Holidays in Hell: Bali's Ongoing Woes", Time said that during monsoon season rivers flush sewage into the sea and the water "turns muddy with dead plankton".

"Water shortages, rolling blackouts, uncollected trash, overflowing sewage-treatment plants and traffic so bad that parts of the island resemble Indonesia's gridlocked capital Jakarta," the report says

One local journalist told the magazine that "it's like Bali is slowly committing suicide".

Bali tourism chief Ida Bagus Subhiksu admitted the island had a waste problem but claimed that much of the rubbish on the beaches was from other islands.

He told AFP that up to 300 garbage trucks a day collected rubbish in Kuta.

"In Kuta, there will be more garbage trucks designated for the area as extra funding for waste management there has been approved," he said.

Despite the growing concerns over Bali's cleanliness, visitor numbers are growing - AFP reports that 2.3 million foreign tourists came last year and 2.5 million are expected this year.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/bali-slammed-in-time-magazine/story-e6frfq80-1226035959320#ixzz1Iu4gyVxl

Learn Philippines (!) and develop more Boracays before it is too late !

There are Panglao, Siargao, Palawan, Cam Sur, Samal, Samar, and many more just waiting to be picked. And instead of developing 2 airports around Boracay, one should be developed around another "Pearl of the Orient" !

majaba98

April 8th, 2011, 08:39 AM

wino

April 8th, 2011, 08:41 AM

^^ develop more Boracays?? is that a good or bad thing??
in your context it's hard to decide..

tchitz

April 8th, 2011, 08:55 AM

@tchitz

We went there by way of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. Boat ride is 8500 (two-way trip), exclusive of tourist guide and environmental fees. Maximum Capacity is 8-10 persons. One way trip took a total of 2-3 hours. We were told one can camp out on the island and the boat will wait till the next day. Bring your own food though since Apo Reef Island is a protected area and they are so strict they do not allow any business establishments there, even fishing boats are banned within the island's vicinity...

We were told Apo Reef can be reached by way of Coron in just 1 hour so I guess it may be cost effective...

What’s the easiest way to get to Sablayan from Manila? Is it best to take the plane and land at San Jose Airport, then take the bus to Sablayan? How many hours is the bus ride and how is the road condition, do you know?
Are there good hotels in Sablayan?
Is there a larger boat that can be rented at Sablayan, larger than the one shown in your picture and with a faster motor?
I was thinking of camping out in Apo Reef for one or two nights.
Coron to Apo Reef is actually twice the distance than coming from Sablayan, when I measured the distance from Google Earth. The only drawback from Sablayan is getting there from San Jose Airport which is quite a distance.

bledzoe

April 8th, 2011, 09:02 AM

^^ okay mate. here's my answer.

we went there by way of plane to San Jose. from San Jose, we rode a bus going to Sablayan. as our plane trip was early in the morning, I was sleepy during the bus ride. the bus ride took around 3 hours.

going around the Sablayan town proper, I haven't seen a decent hotel that may suit your taste or preference but am sure there are inns that can accomodate you and your friends. we were invited by a friend so we stayed in their relative's house which is by the way a very memorable experience - Filipinos are really champions at hospitality...

there are far larger boats that can accomodate more people and you guys will pay less on per head basis...

xxxriainxxx

April 8th, 2011, 09:54 AM

Learn Philippines (!) and develop more Boracays before it is too late !

There are Panglao, Siargao, Palawan, Cam Sur, Samal, Samar, and many more just waiting to be picked. And instead of developing 2 airports around Boracay, one should be developed around another "Pearl of the Orient" !

Those destinations will be developed more soon! Camarines Sur and the rest of Bicol are being actively developed.

However, it's not just about development, but how to make the destinations sustainable.

Sustainable tourism, we should learn from Maldives. Expensive, YES, but highly sustainable.

[QUOTE=OtAkAw;75647675]Puerto Galera has become a giant cesspool.
http://multiply.com/mu/raulpanis/image/4/photos/38/500x500/13/galera-white-beach-5.JPG?et=W2u0n0mnfoUWDOJjVinh4A&nmid=90536922
Source (http://raulpanis.multiply.com/photos/album/38/PUERTO_GALERA_LONG_WEEKEND_TRIP_with_my_comments#photo=13)

There you go !! How long will it take to declare this beach hop stop overcrowed and polluted ?

I am afraid soon, it will get worse. I am sorry, this is what happens when unfettered MASS tourism is unchecked. Mura kasi. That's also the reason why I am saying why sometimes high prices is good for local tourism.

Bricken Ridge

April 8th, 2011, 10:04 AM

RonnieR

April 8th, 2011, 10:47 AM

Cebu gets the biggest number of Russian tourists..

Cebu province gets kindness monument from Russia
By PHOEBE JEN INDINO
April 8, 2011, 4:44pm

CEBU PROVINCE, Philippines -- The province of Cebu will soon install bronze monument called “Dandelion,” an art piece donated by renowned Russian artist Gregory Victorovich Pototsky, who heads the International Academy of Kindness that has already installed over 60 monuments in different countries.

The two-meter bronze monument weighing 300 kilograms was formally turned over, however, its installation will have to take place this August in line with 442nd anniversary of the Province.

According to Pototsky who personally turn-over the said art piece, Dandelion will further mark the friendship between Cebu and Russia “the monument symbolizes the fragility of friendship, love and kindness.”

Such art piece is the fourth in the Philippines and second in Cebu with the first one installed in the Cebu International Convention Center.

Pototsky also created a bust of former President Elpidio Quirino as a gesture of gratitude for facilitating aid to 6,000 Russian refugees in Tubabao Island, Samar in 1951.

Meanwhile, with the help of interpreter Olga Bare, Pototsky’s wife explained that he gives monument to highlight the kindness among people in different nations with the hope of addressing conflict with compassion.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/313354/cebu-province-gets-kindness-monument-russia

RonnieR

April 8th, 2011, 10:50 AM

I have high respect for Duterte. He can get things done.

Davao offers resettlement to Japan disaster victims
By Jeffrey M. Tupas
Inquirer Mindanao First Posted 14:38:00 04/07/2011 Filed Under: Foreign affairs & international relations, Disasters (general), Philippines - Regions

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte says he would welcome even the entire population of earthquake-devastated areas in Japan if they want to come and temporarily settle here.

Duterte disclosed in a statement issued earlier this week that at least 20 elderly Japanese were due to arrive in Davao and live in the city temporarily while their villages back home were being rehabilitated following the great earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last month.

Duterte said he came to knew of the plan of some Japanese nationals to seek refuge in the city—referred to as "Little Tokyo" before World War II because of the large number of Japanese settlers—from a Japanese friend. He said the initial batch of 20 retirees were due anytime.

"The best that we can do is to help them, after all Filipinos are treated very well in their country. We look forward with hope for the Japanese people," he said.

Duterte said the city government will make sure the visitors will be treated well.

"I don't mind how many of them will be coming over, as long as they behave well while they are in Davao. They can even be as many as thousands," he said.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20110407-329887/Davao-offers-resettlement-to-Japan-disaster-victims

icarusrising

April 8th, 2011, 12:15 PM

[QUOTE=OtAkAw;75647675]Puerto Galera has become a giant cesspool.
http://multiply.com/mu/raulpanis/image/4/photos/38/500x500/13/galera-white-beach-5.JPG?et=W2u0n0mnfoUWDOJjVinh4A&nmid=90536922
Source (http://raulpanis.multiply.com/photos/album/38/PUERTO_GALERA_LONG_WEEKEND_TRIP_with_my_comments#photo=13)

There you go !! How long will it take to declare this beach hop stop overcrowed and polluted ?

Hmm... The photographer did say it was a long weekend. Boracay gets tens of thousands during Holy Week but not so crowded during other times. Compare the picture above to the other pics from the same set...

http://multiply.com/mu/raulpanis/image/3/photos/38/500x500/21/galera-white-beach-16.JPG?et=GiyfWmGkJnXkFSOfR5v9dg&nmid=90536922

http://multiply.com/mu/raulpanis/image/3/photos/38/500x500/28/galera-white-beach-at-the-rocks.JPG?et=UsPl0Fj9%2Bjnvfyub5D4%2BCg&nmid=90536922

http://multiply.com/mu/raulpanis/image/4/photos/38/500x500/11/galera-white-beach-3.JPG?et=tBEAStMCWWCaMb8L%2Ckjakw&nmid=90536922

xxxriainxxx

April 8th, 2011, 12:24 PM

^^ Still too crowded..

Although it is not as crowded as this beach in South Korea!

http://bylaus.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/beach-101.jpg

Haeundae Beach

Ph Man

April 8th, 2011, 12:29 PM

xxxriainxxx

April 8th, 2011, 12:37 PM

xxxriainxxx

April 8th, 2011, 12:40 PM

icarusrising

April 8th, 2011, 12:42 PM

ah yan pala yung sinasabi nilang beach sa korea. i think that's the only nice one you can find there, hence the density.

thanks to all for sharing photos. some are not appearing in my screen. regulated. :ohno:

There are nice beaches on Jejudo, an extinct volcanic island separate from the peninsula like this Heopjae Beach...

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/73/218873_image2_1.jpg

Source (http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=312801)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1322/676789656_e8ab7e6172_z.jpg

Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/baldwinpictures/676789656/sizes/m/in/photostream/)

Ph Man

April 8th, 2011, 12:46 PM

uy, i heard we dont need visa to Jeju island. :)

icarusrising

April 8th, 2011, 12:55 PM

uy, i heard we dont need visa to Jeju island. :)

Go! Hehe. But my friends want to come back here and spend their summer in Boracay.

Kintoy

April 8th, 2011, 01:15 PM

im planning a Bali trip in August, parang ayaw ko na ata pumunta

IslandSon.PH

April 8th, 2011, 01:50 PM

Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts Enters the Philippines

DUBAI, UAE, April 5 (PNA/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) --Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts is further strengthening its Asian network by undertaking management of the Moevenpick Resort & Spa Cebu with immediate effect.

The Mediterranean-inspired enclave, set on its own private beach on Mactan Island, offers white sandy beaches and excellent diving and snorkelling, while guests looking for a more energetic stay can head into Cebu, with its vibrant nightlife and extensive shopping, half an hour away.

An impressive range of room categories includes deluxe and executive rooms, as well as one and two-bedroom Executive Spa Suites. Most of the rooms offer direct sea views and the suites are designed in striking Art Deco style, offering balconies with sea views, living room and expansive bathroom with Jacuzzi. The stunning two bedroom Ocean Suite features a separate dining area.

The resort contains three executive floors and an executive lounge, making it perfect for meeting retreats or unwinding executives looking to combine work and leisure.

Guests can choose from five restaurants and bars, with open kitchens designed by Dan Kwan, and keep in shape at the fully equipped health club, professional gym, steam room and garden spa.

Jean Gabriel Pérès, President and CEO of Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts, said: "We are very excited about our arrival in the Philippines. It is a significant milestone for Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts as it marks our 15th signed hotel in Asia."

Manuel Osmeña, Group Chairman of property owner Oikonomos International Resources Corporation said: "We are delighted to have joined hands with Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts, a highly regarded international hotel management company. We look forward to a successful collaboration and to further position our resort as a preferred leisure destination within the Philippines and Asia."

Since late 2010 Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts has extended its Asian presence beyond Thailand and Vietnam, with recent developments announced in China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India. In addition, this month's soft opening of the Moevenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa in Singapore is further evidence of the expansion of the Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts portfolio in Asia.
http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com

SOURCE: Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts (PNA/PRNewswire-AsiaNet)
DCT/eds

IslandSon.PH

April 8th, 2011, 02:06 PM

Foreigners outnumbered local tourists in Boracay

ILOILO CITY, April 6 (PNA) -- Foreign tourists coming to the island resort of Boracay outnumbered local tourists early this year.

For the month of March alone the Provincial Tourism Operations Office (PTOO) in Aklan recorded a total of 62,970 tourists having visited Boracay Island.

Of the total number of visitors, 39,615 were foreign tourists while 23,355 were domestic tourists.

However, tourist arrival in March this year is lower compared to the same period in 2010 which earned the tourism industry revenues of some P1,157,602,698.

The PTOO believes the decrease in the number of visitors was due to the onset of rainfall spawned by the inclement weather prevailing elsewhere in the region during the first quarter of this year.

Apart from Koreans who made Boracay Island as their tourist destination, the arrival of Russians also gradually increased in number.

The PTOO also expects this coming Holy Week to have more domestic and foreign tourists in Boracay.

This was confirmed by Nieven Maquirang, Caticlan Jetty Port administrator, in a recent interview over a local radio station in Kalibo, Aklan.

Maquirang said they have recently met with members of Task Force Bantay Boracay comprising the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Command (Maricom) who agreed to put up an assistance desk center for tourist.

The implementation of the 24/7 duty shift on the part of the law enforcement authority will also be observed.

Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) acting provincial director S/Supt. Cornelio T. Defensor also assured of additional police personnel to ensure the safety of tourists and maintain law and order.

Likewise, Maquirang added they will be enforcing strict security measures by subjecting all baggages of travellers with thorough inspection at the jetty port premises through the help of K-9 units to be sure that no hot items like illegal drugs will be brought to Boracay. (PNA)
DCT/LOR/VLO/vlo

xxxriainxxx

April 8th, 2011, 02:36 PM

There are nice beaches on Jejudo, an extinct volcanic island separate from the peninsula like this Heopjae Beach...

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/cms/resource/73/218873_image2_1.jpg

Source (http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=312801)

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1322/676789656_e8ab7e6172_z.jpg

Source (http://www.flickr.com/photos/baldwinpictures/676789656/sizes/m/in/photostream/)

Pangit daw dyan sabi ng kakilala kong Australyano na napunta dyan. Pupunta ka lang ng Jeju, nagsasayang ka ng pera. Maraming magandang bulkan at mas magandang beaches sa Pilipinas.

Fraulein

April 8th, 2011, 02:37 PM

PHL woos Chinese tourists at Guangzhou travel fair
04/08/2011 | 10:48 AM

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/217258/pinoy-abroad/phl-woos-chinese-tourists-at-guangzhou-travel-fair

The Philippines sought to woo tourists from China as it participated in the recently concluded 19th Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) 2011 in March.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), airline companies, travel agencies, and foreign and local exhibitors also participated in the fair held at the Guangzhou Jinhan International Exhibition Center March 24 to 27.

"Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno gave the welcome speech, recognizing the importance of the concerted efforts of the government and the private sector, both in the Philippines and in China, in realizing its goal of bringing in more Chinese to visit and invest in the Philippines," the DFA said in a news release on its website on Friday.

Representatives from the Philippines were led by Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Domingo Ramon Enerio, officers of the Philippine Tourism Office and various Philippine establishments.

On March 23, Enerio arrived in Guangzhou and met with the Guangdong Tourism Bureau Deputy Director General Lin Shangfu and other Chinese officials.

During the meeting, Enerio expressed hope that more activities would be organized to promote relations between the Philippines and Guangdong.

Enerio said tourism fosters understanding through the promotion of culture and history.

He stressing that the GITF serves as a platform for mutual understanding between the participating countries and China.

Li also expressed hope for more cooperation and interaction between Guangdong and the Philippines.

On March 24, Robianes joined Enerio at the opening ceremony of the GITF at the Jinhan Exhibition Center and during the GITF Evening Reception at the Crystal Ballroom of China Hotel.

The DOT, the Philippine Tourism Office in Shanghai and South China, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Performance Tours, Jeron Travel, Philippine Straits, Travel-Village Bohol, Bohol Beach Club, Grand Vista Boracay, Manila Diamond Hotel, Boracay Regency Philippine Retirement Authority and other Philippine tour operators as well as Chinese outbound travel agencies in Guangdong comprised the exhibitors in the Philippine booth.

For its part, the "Banda Kawayan" serenaded the crowd and performed Philippine music and dances and a few Chinese songs at the Philippine booth.

On March 25, the Philippine Tourism Office in Shanghai headed by Panga organized a Philippine Tourism Night participated in by representatives from a select group of Philippine tour operators and various outbound travel agencies in Guangdong.

Guangdong Tourism Bureau Deputy Director General Wang Zhihong and Deputy Director Bai Dengliang were also present, as well as representatives from the Cebu Pacific and China Southern Airlines.

During the dinner reception, some of the participants had an opportunity to introduce their products and services, with a view to finding suitable partners and counterparts.

Organized by Hannover Fairs China Limited, the GITF remains the most important travel fair in South China. – VVP, GMA News

Fraulein

April 8th, 2011, 02:41 PM

Indon-PH tourism deal pushed

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2011/04/08/indon-ph-tourism-deal-pushed-149294

Indonesian ambassador says 2 neighboring countries can work on joint tourism promotion

RATHER than seeing each other as competitors in attracting tourists, Indonesia and the Philippines could work together to become “twin-country destinations,” an Indonesian official said on Tuesday.

Indonesian ambassador Kristiarto Legowo said that although Philippines and Indonesia may have similar natural settings, both countries could still combine efforts to increase tourism arrivals by “facilitating the journey of tourists.”

“Perhaps both countries could work on a joint tourism promotion to encourage tourists to visit Indonesia after visiting Philippines or visit Philippines after Indonesia,” he said.

Legowo said there is on-going talk for this joint tourism promotion.

He said the embassy is also conducting an annual travel forum where travel operators of both countries can convene and establish business linkages.

Legowo said that of the three million tourists in the country last year, only 31,997 are Indonesians.

He said he is confident that the number of tourists from Indonesia will increase because the Philippines, particularly Cebu, has a lot to offer Indonesians.

Not competitors

Legowo said both countries should not consider each other as competitors as both have unique tourist attractions to sell globally.

He said both countries complement each other.

He said there are Filipino businessmen who have counterparts in Indonesia developing ‘Bali-like’ resorts in some parts of the country while there are also Indonesian businessmen who have Filipino counterparts developing resorts in Indonesia similar to that of Boracay.

Of the seven million tourists in Indonesia last year, only 2.5 million are from Asean and only a few are from the Philippines.

“There are ample opportunities that we could maximize, we just need to strengthen our trade relations,” he said.

Legowo, who spoke during the recent Department of Trade and Industry seminar on economic cooperation with Indonesia, also noted an increase in the number of Indonesian students coming to the Philippines studying business administration, medicine and theology.

He attributed the influx of Indonesian students to the country’s quality education, cheaper rates, proximity and similar culture.

Legowo, however, pointed out that accessibility remains a challenge for both countries in increasing tourism arrivals.

He said there are only two direct flights serving Manila-Jakarta but he announced that later this year, Indonesian carrier Garuda Airlines will start serving the Jakarta-Manila route.

On employment, Legowo noted that Filipinos also come to Indonesia to work as teachers, bankers, singers and musicians.

DTI Bureau of International Trade Director Ann Claire Cabochan, meanwhile, said in her presentation that the Philippines needs to cultivate areas for business promotion and collaboration.

Halal products

Aside from tourism, she said there is a need to introduce a wide array of the country’s halal-certified products to Indonesia through trade expos and business missions.

The country should also expand business opportunities in the multimedia sector.

Indonesia identified six economic corridors for possible foreign investments in Eastern Sumatra-North West Java corridor, Northern Java corridor, Kalimantan corridor, Western Sulawesi corridor, East Java-Bali-NT corridor, and Papua corridor.

Last year, Indonesia’s gross domestic product was $700 billion.

In 2025, the country hopes to achieve a GDP of $4.3 trillion with an increased income per capita of $14,900. KOC

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on April 09, 2011.

xxxriainxxx

April 8th, 2011, 03:41 PM

wino

April 9th, 2011, 12:51 AM

a lot goin on between INDONESIA and the PHILIPPINES. and it is good! :D

Manila-X

April 9th, 2011, 03:47 AM

It would be nice if both countries get a fair share of tourists.

xxxriainxxx

April 9th, 2011, 06:45 AM

Bricken Ridge

April 9th, 2011, 07:34 AM

I hate posting bad news but, an environmentalist friend from the UK stumbled on this site which sells corals and shells WHOLESALE in the US. The Corals were purported from the Philippines and Bahamas.

SHELL HORIZONS, CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

Look at these photos:

http://www.shellhorizons.com/images/families.jpg

THIS IS ILLEGAL!

http://www.shellhorizons.com/images/Fishermanb.jpg

http://www.shellhorizons.com/images/diver1.jpg

http://www.shellhorizons.com/images/diver2.jpg

http://www.shellhorizons.com/process/DSCN9405.jpg

http://www.shellhorizons.com/process/coral2.jpg

http://www.shellhorizons.com/process/coral8.jpg

More PHOTOS HERE (http://www.shellhorizons.com/process.asp)

This goes against CITES. HORRIBLE. HORRIBLE.

Appalling. These photos should be submitted to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for violation of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Act. We are responsible to report these violations since we are signatory to the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species ( CITES), which is aimed at protecting and conserving endangered life forms.

Ady001

April 9th, 2011, 07:40 AM

^^ They sell sea shells by the seashore?

Ady001

April 9th, 2011, 07:42 AM

IslandSon.PH

April 9th, 2011, 07:42 AM

Thirty teams to join Mt. Apo ‘Boulderface Challenge’

DAVAO CITY -- Thirty teams have expressed intention to join the first International Mt. Apo ‘Boulderface Challenge’, one of the toughest adventure races in the country, to be held on April 29.
"Thirty teams of three will reach for the country’s highest peak at 10,000 feet within 24 hours using the four disciplines of mountain biking, trekking, white-water tubing and running," Department of Tourism-XI regional director Arturo R. Boncato said.

Presently, teams from Indonesia, Vietnam, Canada, and 25 Filipino groups from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao along with two multinational teams will try to climb the country’s highest peak by mountain biking, trekking, white water tubing and running. Teams will be composed of one male, one female and one logistics crew.

At least $10,000 in prizes are at stake for the top three teams, with the champion receiving $3,500.

The competition seeks to raise awareness on environmental protection while also promoting the region as a destination for eco-adventure sports. It is spearheaded by the regional Tourism office, the local government of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mt. Apo was declared as a national park in May 9, 1936 by President Manuel L. Quezon. It is home to one of the richest flora and fauna in the country and also has three forest formations: from lowland tropical, mid-mountain and high mountain forests.

There are several trails leading to the summit, covered by the local governments of Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, and Davao City. Race director Albert C. Gabriel said, the total distance of the race will consist of 22.5 kilometers of mountain biking, 15 kilometers of water tubing, and 12 kilometers of running. -- Joel B. Escovilla

xxxriainxxx

April 9th, 2011, 08:08 AM

Appalling. These photos should be submitted to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for violation of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Act. We are responsible to report these violations since we are signatory to the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species ( CITES), which is aimed at protecting and conserving endangered life forms.

That's right, I am trying to take this to journos, Can you report to the BFAR? etc? I already asked others.

xxxriainxxx

April 9th, 2011, 08:50 AM

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
Attn: Mr Edwyn B. Alesna
Chief, Foreign Trade Section
Fisheries Regulatory and Quarantine Division
PCA Bldg, Elliptical Road corner Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman
QUEZON CITY 1101
Metro Manila

Tel: +63 (2) 426 65 32; 929 95 97
Fax: +63 (2) 426 65 32; 928 40 38
Email: edwyn_alesna @ yahoo.com

hakz2007

April 9th, 2011, 08:52 AM

TOURISM CONVERGENCE

http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/apr7/pictures/xlaray.gif

A conceded past master of local governance after spearheading the meteoric transformation of CamSur from an obscure and depressed province to being the most visited destination in the country and among the ten richest provinces, Governor LRay Villafuerte took to the floor during the National Tourism Development Plant 2011 consultation-workshop at the Diamond Hotel in Metro Manila, March 29, to advocate for the convergence of stakeholders’ inputs and resources to formulate a comprehensive blueprint to sustain the momentum the country has gained in tourism development in recent years.

Source (http://www.bicolmail.com/issue/2011/apr7/peps&events.html)

Kintoy

April 9th, 2011, 09:04 AM

The Most Murderous Countries: Safer Than You Think

Why travelers don't have to be so afraid of Mexican resorts, the Philippines, and other "dangerous" places

This January I flew to Acapulco, Mexico. I was there a few days before sailing on the Queen Elizabeth up to Los Angeles as a guest of Cunard Cruise Lines. Not surprisingly, almost everyone I told mentioned something about crime, murders, drug gangs, or beheadings.

Almost all the news coming from Mexico lately has been bad. It seems the only thing you hear about is violence, kidnappings, and drug lords running wild.

So am I crazy to have gone to Mexico?

Over the last four years I've been to about 80 countries depending on how you define the term. Five of those countries were on the State Department travel warning list when I visited: the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Israel, and Mexico. (Thailand and Indonesia are no longer on the list.) In addition, I've been at the Thai-Cambodian border while the two countries were fighting and I visited Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, a week after it was named the #1 Hell On Earth. I was also in East Timor the day of the assassination attempt on the president and prime minister.

Mindanao has one of the highest murder rates for journalists in the world. That is what you hear about on the news. However, the northernmost province of Batanes has a crime rate of zero. ZERO.

I mention this not to brag or to make it sound like I'm some super traveler who doesn't fear danger. Quite the contrary, I have no desire to become a martyr to the cause of travel blogging. (I often joke that getting kidnapped would be the greatest thing I could do to boost the traffic to my site. I do, however, value my life more than I do page views.) I mention it because all of the places I visited that had travel warnings seemed quite pedestrian. Even when I was standing between several hundred Bangkok police officers in riot gear and several thousand redshirt protesters, I never really felt any immediate danger.

Both the media and the government paint with a very broad brush. When something happens in Nuevo Laredo, it doesn't happen in Nuevo Laredo, it happens in Mexico. All of Mexico is lumped together with things that might be happening in certain cities or regions. We make no distinction between the north and south.

In early 2010 I was in Bangkok during some of the protests. During that time, travel legend Arthur Frommer wrote a blog post suggesting that travelers should stay away from Thailand. The problem was, protests weren't occurring all over Thailand, they were only occurring in Bangkok, and even then, they were only occurring in certain sections of Bangkok. If you weren't in that area, you'd have no clue that anything was going on. Thailand is a pretty big country and what goes on in the capital is not representative on what goes on elsewhere.

The same is true with almost every country on the list. There certainly are places you probably should avoid, but that doesn't mean you should paint the whole country with a broad brush. If you apply the same logic to the United States, people should avoid Des Moines because of crime in Detroit. It makes no sense. The only reason we accept that sort of thinking for foreign countries is because we aren't as familiar with them.

The Philippines are a great example. On the southern island of Mindanao, near Malaysia, there have been cases of violence with Muslim separatists. Political violence in some areas has also been noteworthy and it has one of the highest murder rates for journalists in the world. That is what you hear about on the news. However, the northernmost province of Batanes has a crime rate of zero. ZERO. The police complain of having nothing to do and if you lose an item it will usually be taken to the radio station so the owner can be found.

Batanes and Mindanao are part of the same country, but culturally and physically they are hundreds of miles apart. Yet the U.S. government has an incentive to be conservative in its warnings. If someone has a good time on his or her vacation, no one will hear about it. If someone gets killed, then it gets on the news. It is in the government's best interest to overstate the dangers of a place.

For example, in January of 2011, the U.S. State Department had a generic, vague travel advisory for the entire continent of Europe. Basically, something might happen somewhere in Europe at sometime. They issues things like this to cover their ass. If something happens they can say they warned people. If nothing happens, no one will care or remember.

There are plenty of places I have no desire to visit. Anywhere that is an active war zone is off my list. I wouldn't want to have visited Baghdad at any point in the last 10 years. The Ivory Coast is a place I'll put off visiting for a while (but if someone from the Ivory Coast told me that conditions are only bad in certain spots, I'd have a hard time arguing).

Here is an informal list of rules I follow:

Are tourists being targeted? In many places, violence has nothing to do with Americans, Westerners, or even foreigners. If the problems are internal, you probably don't have too much to worry about. If, as in Yemen, tourists are specifically targeted because they are tourists, you might want to think twice.
Do problems exist in the city or region you'll be visiting? As I explained above, many countries are quite large and lumping everything together makes no sense. Don't just get news at the country level, unless the country is really small.
Could you get caught in the middle of things? Even if you aren't a target, that doesn't mean you can't.
Be inconspicuous. Don't stay in the most expensive, well-known hotel in a city. Don't look like a tourist if you can avoid it.
Have an escape plan. During the Bangkok protests, I had a plan for getting out of the city if things blew up. (Taxi to Pattaya.) When I was photographing the protesters, I had an escape plan for getting off the street I was on. (Run up a parking ramp and into an office building with embassies.) Just giving a few minutes of thought to what you would do if things went bad could save you if it does.
The final thing I will say on this subject, is that the real dangers while traveling aren't the ones that come from the news. The biggest killer of tourists is automobile accidents. Most of the serious injuries sustained by travelers I know have come from bicycle or motorbike accidents. These are the real dangers while traveling and they are ones you'll never hear about on CNN. They are the common everyday accidents that happen at home while we are worried about terrorism.

Do your research, use common sense, and that should take care of the majority of potential problems. Safety should be a priority while traveling, but you shouldn't worry about problems that don't exist.

http://www.theatlantic.com/life/archive/2011/04/the-most-murderous-countries-safer-than-you-think/236891/

rawr

April 9th, 2011, 12:31 PM

^^ marami ring Pinoy ang nag-aakala o naniniwala na Pilipinas ang pinakadelikadong bansa sa buong mundo....lol. *facepalm*

rawr

April 9th, 2011, 12:40 PM

^^ Still too crowded..

Although it is not as crowded as this beach in South Korea!

http://bylaus.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/beach-101.jpg

Haeundae Beach

Kaya pala super effective ng DOT campaigns sa Korea, kasi astig talaga mga beaches natin compared sa kanila

anyway, the Koreans even made a movie about Boracay!!!

part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSEaaukSXqU&feature=related

Manila-X

April 9th, 2011, 03:40 PM

^^ marami ring Pinoy ang nag-aakala o naniniwala na Pilipinas ang pinakadelikadong bansa sa buong mundo....lol. *facepalm*

Then these Filipinos do not know what is happening outside their country especially the ones from the least developed world.

LAPDRN

April 9th, 2011, 03:50 PM

xxxriainxxx

April 10th, 2011, 06:39 AM

Arrest that foreigner

We are working on it.

Bricken Ridge

April 10th, 2011, 08:08 AM

We are working on it.

I sent an email to the BFAR director cc'd to CITES director yesterday with the wholesalers website as attachment.

xxxriainxxx

April 10th, 2011, 09:25 AM

I sent an email to the BFAR director cc'd to CITES director yesterday with the wholesalers website as attachment.

Maraming Salamat po.. please PM me if they reply. Tatlo lang kami nitong nagtatrabaho, against an obviously well entrenched, atrocious syndicate. We need all the help we can get right now..

Perseus II

April 10th, 2011, 09:39 AM

^^ They sell sea shells by the seashore?

they do :ohno:

Fraulein

April 10th, 2011, 10:24 AM

Japanese arrivals up

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/metro/2890-japanese-arrivals-up

THE Bureau of Immigration reported yesterday that the influx of Japanese nationals grew to as much as 1,000 to 1,500 daily amid the alarming radiation alert in Japan.

In his report to BI Commissioner Ricardo David, Jr., Lina Andaman Pelia, Immigration Airport Operations Division chief, said that the influx of Japanese nationals has increased by more than 90 percent, nearly dislodging Korean tourists as top Philippine visitors.

“I think it’s the Philippines’ climate or because some of them want to avoid the crisis that befell Japan particularly the nuclear radioactivity. Most of these people go to tourist spots in Cebu, Davao, Palawan, Bohol, Boracay and other tourist destinations in the Philippines,” Pelia said.

She said although most of the Japanese coming over are tourists, she also noticed some Japanese families that include children.

The international flights to Manila from various parts of Japan include flag carrier Philippine Airlines’ daily flights to and from Narita, Kansai and Nagoya, while Cebu Pacific Air flies daily to Osaka. Willy M. Balasa

Ady001

April 10th, 2011, 11:55 AM

^^ I welcome them all with open arms.

Fraulein

April 10th, 2011, 01:19 PM

Please watch Rated K today at ABS CBN, all features were World Class and Good News for our country... :)

jbkayaker12

April 10th, 2011, 02:11 PM

More reasons why we should ban plastics.

Kamilo Beach, Hawaii

http://alohareporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Kamilo_Beach_trash.jpg

Source: http://alohareporter.com/2010/04/plastic-beach-hawaii/

Los Angeles

http://www.treehugger.com/Trash-Beach_Los-Angeles.jpg

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/pacific-trash-vortex-signifies-future-of-oceans.php

There is one important thing you failed to mention, these places will get rehabilitated and cleaned. Can you say the same about the notorious garbage in Manila Bay and Corregidor Island?

Manila-X

April 10th, 2011, 03:40 PM

Manila Bay looks much cleaner the last time I was there. At least from The Baywalk / Harbour Square area.

amigo32

April 10th, 2011, 04:38 PM

Kintoy

April 10th, 2011, 05:40 PM

i wonder if he's even been to corregidor.

rain34

April 10th, 2011, 09:25 PM

Intramuros redevelopment eyed for PPP
Project to showcase country’s cultural heritage

By Doris Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:24:00 04/10/2011

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Tourism (DoT) plans to offer for potential public-private partnership (PPP) a master-planned redevelopment of the five-hectare “Walled City” of Intramuros, the oldest district in the Philippine capital of Manila built during the Spanish colonial period.

In a roundtable forum with the Inquirer business staff, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said Intramuros would be spruced up to better showcase the country’s cultural heritage. The DoT also plans to attract retail businesses over the next two years and to redevelop some areas into a mixed-use commercial and residential hub over a five-year period using financial muscle from the private sector.

Lim said a feasibility study would be undertaken soon and the government might bid out the Intramuros redevelopment project under the PPP framework by early 2012.

The DOT is making a timely move to draw in a private sector participation for this major project given the huge interest among the country’s biggest property developers like Ayala Land, SM of taipan Henry Sy, JG Summit of the Gokongweis and Alliance Global of tycoon Andrew Tan on tourism-oriented real estate.

As part of the redevelopment, Lim said Intramuros’ Maestranza Wall, used as a shipping warehouse during the Spanish occupation, would be fixed using a P250-million grant from Japan’s official development assistance arm Japan International Cooperation Agency. This stretch of wall lies near the mouth of Pasig river on its southern bank.

“We will make it look like what they have as store fronts in Clarke Quay,” Lim said, referring to a historic riverside quay in Singapore that now houses a bustling pedestrian retail row.

The redevelopment shall also include the rebuilding of the San Ignacio Church, which is currently in ruins. “It will become the Museum of Intramuros, where we will put the Ecclessiastical art collected by Jimmy Laya (governor of the Marcos-era central bank).

This refers to art produced during an era in the Middle Ages in which the influence of the Church was practically paramount.

kalbongdad

April 11th, 2011, 03:55 AM

xxxriainxxx

April 11th, 2011, 04:50 AM

There is one important thing you failed to mention, these places will get rehabilitated and cleaned. Can you say the same about the notorious garbage in Manila Bay and Corregidor Island?

Yes, ex Filipino. Actually, Manila Bay is getting cleaned everyday and the SC ordered the government and private sector to clean it up.

Heard of the Oposa case? I'd have to agree with Wanch Manila Bay is much cleaner now. It used to be really foul, but now a few areas, you cant even notice the smell.

Corona, justices check on Manila Bay cleanup :yes:

By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 07:32:00 03/12/2011
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20110312-324957/Corona-justices-check-on-Manila-Bay-cleanup

MANILA, Philippines—Chief Justice Renato Corona and four other Supreme Court justices on Friday took a boat ride around Manila Bay to see for themselves the areas covered by the tribunal’s landmark decision ordering the government to rehabilitate and restore the bay.

Corona and Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Jose Perez, Mariano del Castillo and Lucas Bersamin were joined by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Coast Guard officials, and the high court’s spokesperson, Jose Midas Marquez.

“The ocular was made to know the extent and magnitude of the cleanup that the government has to do,” Marquez told the Inquirer by phone.

Comprehensive plan

He said the magistrates and the other officials took the BRP Edsa Dos in making the two-hour inspection in waters off Navotas, Manila and Pasay City.

Marquez said that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a briefing for the magistrates as well.

The Supreme Court has given the DENR until June 30 this year to submit a comprehensive plan on how to carry out the tribunal’s order, which would specify the duties and functions of each government agency included in the cleanup.

“The decision of the court included an order for all the agencies to submit regular updates, a continuing mandamus, on the steps they had undertaken for the cleanup,” Marquez said.

The magistrates had taken up the invitation of the Manila Bay advisory committee chaired by Justice Velasco to take the boat ride, Marquez said.

In 2008, the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the Imus Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals that required the DENR, the Manila Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA), and six other government agencies to undertake specific tasks that would lead to the coordinated cleanup, restoration and preservation of Manila Bay.

In January 1999 residents on the shores of Manila Bay, represented by environmental law students of the University of the Philippines, filed an unprecedented class action suit against the government.

They were represented by environmental lawyer Antonio “Tony” Oposa Jr.

‘Swimmable’

Using a little-known law requiring “concerned government agencies to clean up a polluted body of water,” the law students sought to legally force the government to restore the Manila Bay to its former “swimmable” condition.

Named defendants were the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the departments of environment, public works, agriculture, budget, health, and education, the MMDA, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Police Maritime Group, and the Philippine Ports Authority.

reign

April 11th, 2011, 06:00 AM

beeeeH:D malinis na ang dagat ex-pilino:lol:

correction, filipino cya dati pero ngayon ex- filipina na ! :lol::lol::lol:

Greypilgrim

April 11th, 2011, 06:41 AM

i wonder if he's even been to corregidor.

I went to Corregidor last week, the water is clear. Yun nga lang yung mga basura from Metro Manila eh napadpad doon. Sa North harbor lang, or was it South. Weird kasi ang linaw ng tubig pero may mga basura. Pero sa kabilang side walang basura.

xxxriainxxx

April 11th, 2011, 07:21 AM

I went to Corregidor last week, the water is clear. Yun nga lang yung mga basura from Metro Manila eh napadpad doon. Sa North harbor lang, or was it South. Weird kasi ang linaw ng tubig pero may mga basura. Pero sa kabilang side walang basura.

I agree, was in Corregidor as well, malinaw nga ang tubig - yung part na nakaharap sa Manila Bay yun ang may basura.

Bricken Ridge

April 11th, 2011, 08:29 AM

Maraming Salamat po.. please PM me if they reply. Tatlo lang kami nitong nagtatrabaho, against an obviously well entrenched, atrocious syndicate. We need all the help we can get right now..

I'll keep my fingers crossed the email will be read and not deleted and dumped in the www trash. :) Otherwise, we'll look for other options to get their attention.

RonnieR

April 11th, 2011, 09:12 AM

There is one important thing you failed to mention, these places will get rehabilitated and cleaned. Can you say the same about the notorious garbage in Manila Bay and Corregidor Island?

Hey ex-Filipino, our Manila Bay is cleaner now. I don't know about your country. Would you like to share some recent photos of the bay in your country?

The seasports festival in Manila Bay in my country....

Summer of 2010
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll199/larrypconcepcion/IMG_9621.jpg

Summer of 2011
http://img2.allvoices.com/thumbs/event/609/480/75032077-the-manila.jpg
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8451807/content/75032077-the-manila-bay-sea-sports-festival-2011

xxxriainxxx

April 11th, 2011, 09:14 AM

I'll keep my fingers crossed the email will be read and not deleted and dumped in the www trash. :) Otherwise, we'll look for other options to get their attention.

We just contacted DA, BFAR, NBI today. Working on US Fish and Wildlife Service as well. Academe and some political personalities were also contacted.

Naiyak nga ako kanina sa reply sa akin ng isang pulitiko, sabi nya, posible daw nila itong imbestigahan sa Kongreso. Nabuhayan ako ng loob. If you have blog, please blog about. Repost the site on your Facebook and your groups/fan pages.

RonnieR

April 11th, 2011, 09:45 AM

As commented by Grace Lee, Korean by birth and Filipino at heart, MANILA emerges as concert capital of Asia (Manila Bulletin, April 10 issue). We just had the successful Bruno Mars concert in Manila and Cebu and the list goes on.

2NE1, the famous Korean group with Sandara Park or Dara will perform in Manila on June 4 @ Araneta Coliseum.
http://mb.com.ph/sites/default/files/2ne1_4.jpg

Weng Li You and Long Qian Yu, Taiwanese Pop Stars, May 10, 2011, Resorts World Manila

http://www.rwmanila.com/uploads/480x122px-taiwaneseconcert.png
The soulful voice behind Treasure, theme song of "Mother's House" and Whole Life Love, theme song of "Love" joins the multi-awarded performer of I Asked Day and Night Market in one memorable night of beautiful music.

Buy your tickets now at the RWM Box Office or at TicketWorld outlets!
SEAT SECTION TICKET PRIZES
VIP P5,000
Premiere P4,000
Deluxe P3,000
Balcony P1,800

http://www.rwmanila.com/entertainment-at-resorts-world-manila/newport-performing-arts-theater/long-quian-yu-and-weng-li-you-live

RonnieR

April 11th, 2011, 09:49 AM

KAOS is still on at Resorts World Manila

http://www.rwmanila.com/images/banner-kaos.png

xxxriainxxx

April 11th, 2011, 10:10 AM

Hey ex-Filipino, our Manila Bay is cleaner now. I don't know about your country. Would you like to share some recent photos of the bay in your country?

The seasports festival in Manila Bay in my country....

Summer of 2010
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll199/larrypconcepcion/IMG_9621.jpg

Summer of 2011
http://img2.allvoices.com/thumbs/event/609/480/75032077-the-manila.jpg
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8451807/content/75032077-the-manila-bay-sea-sports-festival-2011

Uyy okay yan ah. Malinis nga! Nung nagpunta ako dyan last year, napansin ko hindi na mabaho.

RonnieR

April 11th, 2011, 10:18 AM

jbkayaker12

April 11th, 2011, 11:03 AM

I agree, was in Corregidor as well, malinaw nga ang tubig - yung part na nakaharap sa Manila Bay yun ang may basura.

Which means garbage is still a problem. Sad!!! Too bad I really love the place but the garbage, especially those flip flops. :nuts:

BTW on the Manila Bay thread many Filipinos are still making fun of Manila Bay or are they just telling it like it is!!!:) D@mn those Filipinos making fun of stinking and polluted Manila Bay!:nuts:

xxxriainxxx

April 11th, 2011, 11:29 AM

Which means garbage is still a problem. Sad!!! Too bad I really love the place but the garbage, especially those flip flops. :nuts:

BTW on the Manila Bay thread many Filipinos are still making fun of Manila Bay or are they just telling it like it is!!!:) D@mn those Filipinos making fun of stinking and polluted Manila Bay!:nuts:

It is still a problem, we dint say it wasn't a problem. But we are doing something about it, contrary to what you said earlier.

xxxriainxxx

April 11th, 2011, 11:31 AM

PH tops Google’s worldwide “resorts” search list
By Paolo Montecillo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:09:00 04/11/2011
Filed Under: Tourism, Internet, Holidays or vacations

MANILA, Philippines—With the summer season now in full swing, the Philippines has ranked on top of a list of “resorts” that people all over the world look for on Google.com, the search-engine giant said in a statement.

The country also made it to the Top 10 of three different lists related to the words’ “vacation,” “summer” and “beach,” results of Google’s summer “Zeitgeist” showed.

The company’s “Zeitgeist,” which translates to “spirit of the times” in German, is a measure of the most-searched terms on Google.com, the world’s leading search engine.

“In our tropical country where vacations in beaches or resorts can be pursued all year round and weekend trips to nearby pools or beaches is the local norm, the Philippines’ ranking … does not come as a surprise at all,” the company said in a statement.

“With this much love for summer vacation in beaches and resorts, Google looks into the most popular local destinations for the first quarter of this year,” the company said.

Trailing the Philippines in the resorts list were Fiji, South Africa, India, Singapore, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Iraq, Canada and Namibia.

On the list of summer-related searches, the Philippines placed sixth. On vacation searches, the Philippines ranked ninth, and on searches involving the beach, the country was in fifth place.

On all of the lists, the Philippines was the highest-ranked country from Asia.

The results also showed that Coron, Palawan, which features pristine white-sand beaches and is largely undeveloped compared with Boracay, was ranked the fastest-growing local destination searched on Google.

Coron started to gain popularity ever since Banyan Tree Holdings announced plans to develop Diwaran Island in the area as the single largest integrated island resort in all Asia by 2012.

“The island paradise is popular for being a great shipwreck diving spot as well as for its therapeutic Maquinit Health Springs,” Google said in a statement.

Behind Coron was the town of Sagada in Mountain Province, about 275 kilometers north of Manila. Completing the Top 10 list of fastest-rising local destinations were Laguna, Pagudpud, Boracay, Bohol, Puerto Princesa, Tagaytay, Camarines Sur and Baguio.

“Compared with the 2010 Summer Zeitgeist, which was dominated by beaches, this year’s list shows Filipinos seeking destinations other than sand and sea,” the company said.

Google said there was a notable decrease in searches on “beach” and “resorts” during the first quarter of this year compared with last year.

This may be connected with the late onset of summer this year, and an increasing trend around visiting more historical sites that do not involve being in the water to cool off.

“In 2010, the country experienced an unusually hot summer, with temperature hitting 39 degrees centigrade, prompting Pinoys to seek the water in unusually high numbers,” Google pointed out.

Tourism has been tagged by the government as one of the major drivers for economic development, especially in the countryside.

The government has set a target of doubling the number of tourists visiting the Philippines from over three million in 2010 to six million by 2016.

The government is focusing on eliminating infrastructure bottlenecks, allowing more foreign airlines to fly to the country, and aggressive marketing to achieve this goal.

Source: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20110411-330598/PH-tops-Googles-worldwide-resorts-search-list

jbkayaker12

April 11th, 2011, 11:33 AM

It is still a problem, we dint say it wasn't a problem. But we are doing something about it, contrary to what you said earlier.

Well in that case what I said was true but you people seem to get very upset when someone tells the truth and tells it like it is!!:cheers:

RonnieR

April 11th, 2011, 11:43 AM

crossboneka

April 11th, 2011, 11:49 AM

meron dn sa yahoo news

Philippines tops Googles' places-to-visit search list
http://news.yahoo.com/

Kintoy

April 11th, 2011, 01:16 PM

how did you get to Corregidor? drive all the way there on your cab?

Kintoy

April 11th, 2011, 02:32 PM

ang dami nyang reklamo sa airport, eh the only time he gets to see the airport is when he picks up passengers there.

hakz2007

April 11th, 2011, 03:07 PM

Tourism: Not all about promotion
Inarguably, Cebu’s economists are in unison as far as the identified drivers of local economy are concern. These are tourism, business process outsourcing (BPO) and export. If we are keen enough, we would notice that these are foreign-money driven. Tourism largely depends on foreign tourists’ spending. Obviously, BPOs and exports cater to foreign companies’ need. However, while the BPO industry has sustained us, exports of goods have remained undesirable and tourism is becoming to be a big disappointment.

Truth to tell, nowadays, Cebu’s tourism performance is lackadaisical. Rightly so, because after dominating for a span of time, last year’s results showed Cebu lagging behind Metro Manila and Camarines Sur (CamSur) in key performance statistics. Based on a report from the Department of Tourism (DOT), CamSur posted an incremental growth of 52.90 percent from January to September 2010 (compared to the same period in 2009) in tourist arrivals. CamSur counts among its tourist arrivals in 2010 some 310,063 foreigners (2009 was 206,937) for a growth rate of 49.83 percent and l,569,109 domestic travelers (2009 was l,229,029) for an incremental growth of 53.52 percent. Metro Manila ranked second place with a growth rate of 20.93 percent last year. Boracay was in third position with a growth rate of 19.85 percent, while Cebu frustratingly placed sixth with a dismal 6.42 percent growth rate.

Unlike election results, these statistics are unquestioned and will remain unquestionable. Cebu, the unseated leader, has a lot to be concerned about. Likewise, the Cebu tourism players cannot take this unfavorable developments sitting down. Let us all remember that we are spending millions in promoting the island through Cebu City’s world-renowned Sinulog and the Province’s “Suroy-suroy Sugbo” and yet, ironically, we only placed sixth in terms of growth.

Setting aside political biases, we must accept that a problem does exist. Therefore, it is paramount that we should know what went wrong. Probably, we can start with our product. So that, the more appropriate question is, are we promoting a good product? Or, quite bluntly, in one of our multi-million promotions, are we promoting a product or funding a politician’s dream of expanding and strengthening her political clout.

Understanding Metro Manila’s and Camarines Sur’s dominance isn’t difficult to do. In these two new dominant players, the right infrastructures are in place. The world-class Camarines Sur Watersport Complex (CWC) and the Gota Village Resort in Caramoan remain to be the top attraction in CamSur’s indefatigable tourism push.

In optimizing its infrastructures’ potentials, the CWC (where one of the best cable parks of the world is located) continuously enticed top wake-boarders from all over the world by holding international competitions. To recall, last year, the province hosted the 5th and final leg of the World Wake Association (WWA) 2010 World Series dubbed the Ultimate Wake Championship. Such event drew over 100 wake riders from 30 countries. On the other hand, Metro Manila is drawing thousands of visitors daily at its Newport Entertainment City and the Manila Oceanarium or Manila Ocean Park.

With these startling realities right in our faces, let us in unison diagnose the problems. Honestly, knowing the causes does not need the services of a rocket scientist’s precise mind. What we need is for all of us, unbiased Cebuanos, to equip ourselves with plain and simple common sense and for those clothed with greed to throw away their vested interests.

For one, our promotions aren’t well spent. For instance, with Gov. Garcia’s popularity plummeting (as the election result showed), she (in her usual flare) is again into the Suroy Suroy Sugbo tour, to promote faces, not places. As usual, you shall see much not the island of Cebu or its tourist spots in the print ads, tarps and flyers but the face of Gov. Gwen Garcia in unequalled prominence. As it normally goes, it shall again be undertaken not to promote tourism in the island but her political interest. Unfortunately, it shall be again undertaken not as a tool to ameliorate fellow “probinsyanos” but for pure personal publicity stunt.

Gov. Garcia and her wards know exactly that in tourism, the focus is the place or its people. Therefore, tourists visit even the remotest areas that interest them. “Suroy-suroy Sugbo” is undertaken differently. Here, the tourists drop in one place. Then, the locals (including children who shall skip classes) gather around them. Therefore, the attractions are the tourists (including Gov. Gwen and other political figures), not the places and its people. Sadly, they call this tourism.

Apart from the politically motivated “Suroy-suroy Sugbo”, we tried to sell the Cebu brand but haven’t really looked into our products. For instance, we opened our gates through the world-renowned annual “Sinulog Festival” (and rightly so), but as soon as the euphoria brought about by the festivities subsides and tourists start to frolic, they shall discover several discomforting realities.

Tourists as they are, they travel a lot. Therefore, they will be frequent users of our public transportation facilities, terminals included. As they do, they will soon find out that apart from our Mactan International Airport and Port terminals of some established shipping companies, comfort rooms are so filthy. That some of our bus terminals’ facilities are so messy and poorly maintained. As they visit historical sites like Parian’s monument, they walk and drink a lot under humid conditions and can’t find places for comfort (toilets) when nature calls. Some might even throw up at the sight of human wastes (mostly, wastes from informal settlers) as they stroll along boulevards and skywalks.

Sometimes, they tour around the Island of Cebu, hopping from one town to another to take first-hand experiences of those must publicized festivals or join “Suroy-suroy Sugbo” only to find out that these LGUs do not even have decent toilets.

As an island province, ours are all coastal cities and municipalities. Each LGU has its own stretches of shorelines or beaches. They are all bragging about the serenity of their beaches and relentlessly inviting tourists to take a dip, as if, it is the only prerequisite. Known to all of us, our public markets are situated just several meters from the shorelines, some are even so near the beaches. Unknown however, to most of us, these beaches are made receptacles of these public markets’ leftovers and wastes.

Unequivocally, we truly understand the necessity of promoting our tourism potentials both here and abroad. The need to inform potential market of our rich cultural heritage, historical sites and serene beaches is unquestionable. In doing so however, we must bear in mind that a promotion’s success cannot go beyond the potentials of the product it pushes.

“Suroy-suroy Sugbo” is one such promotion. It has been undertaken for so long with the governor tagging along a little over a hundred guests, each time, as props. Certainly, this politically motivated promotional activity is not giving us any return as tourism statistics would show. Absolutely, looking at it (in any angle) makes right thinking Cebuanos scream of its waste and selfish intentions. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=675032&publicationSubCategoryId=108

kalbongdad

April 11th, 2011, 04:24 PM

fire...bertie lim....he does not know wth he is doing.....kasama ito sa mga mahaba ang learning curve.....:lol:

hakz2007

April 11th, 2011, 05:58 PM

CamSur @ Latest Mabuhay Magazine Issue
by Camsur Events (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39931&id=125329360837645)

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208685_195656380471609_125329360837645_443529_7451258_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207241_195656410471606_125329360837645_443530_3131071_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207369_195656443804936_125329360837645_443531_641206_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/207941_195656453804935_125329360837645_443532_2820528_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/208781_195656477138266_125329360837645_443533_562986_n.jpg

kalbongdad

April 11th, 2011, 08:06 PM

RonnieR

April 12th, 2011, 06:13 AM

A zip line here in Metro Manila :)

April 11, 2011: Philippines Ride Lets You Fly Like Superman
Zoom Tree Top Adventure The Zoom Tree Top Adventure in Quezon City in the Philippines currently has a special offer for fans wanting to fly like Superman.

Positioned 100 feet above the ground, you can fly faster than a speeding bullet, lying face down, as you zip through the trees for 200 meters.

For today only, you can live this unforgettable experience at 35% off the regular price. Visit Twangoo.com to take advantage of this limited time offer.
http://www.supermanhomepage.com/images/real-world5/zipline-philippines.jpg

pi_malejana

April 12th, 2011, 06:48 AM

...
Positioned 100 feet above the ground, you can fly faster than a speeding bullet, lying face down, as you zip through the trees for 200 meters.

...

that's impossible... false advertising yan dapat makasuhan...:lol::jk:

Ady001

April 12th, 2011, 06:58 AM

^^ Faster than a speeding bullet?! Yeah, people might take it as literal.

hakz2007

April 12th, 2011, 09:43 AM

International Magazines featuring CamSur
by Brian Wheeler (http://www.facebook.com/brian.wheeler777)

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/190342_10150225281913219_619163218_9157678_25993_n.jpg
8-page Wind Or No Wind board jam feature in Kiteboarding magazine's May 2011 issue.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/189900_10150211954998219_619163218_9022854_4497590_n.jpg
Got the opening spread in the April 2011 issue of Transworld Wakeboarding mag! So stoked. Congrats to Greg Norman Jr and Bill Doster for pulling off such a sick shot at the Wind Or No Wind board jam in the Philippines. I didn't get credit for writing the text, but it appears to be Transworld's new syntax for front-of-the-mag spreads.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205450_10150225306413219_619163218_9157867_624534_n.jpg
Feature Wind Or No Wind board jam article in Kiteboarding.eu magazine.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199382_10150219795618219_619163218_9101638_1416098_n.jpg
Two-page spread on the Wind Or No Wind board jam in an upcoming issue of X-Life magazine in China.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/200299_10150231567908219_619163218_9214685_848111_n.jpg
6-page feature in Kitesurf mag in Holland, from the 2010 Wind Or No Wind board jam in the Philippines.

Bricken Ridge

April 12th, 2011, 10:57 AM

hakz2007

April 12th, 2011, 11:16 AM

^^Naga Airport in Pili, CamSur...

amigo32

April 12th, 2011, 11:30 AM

that's impossible... false advertising yan dapat makasuhan...:lol::jk:

actually it's not:D sa panahon ng lolo ng lolo ko:D ginagawa silang bala ng kanyon:D

KnightOfTheFlag

April 12th, 2011, 11:55 AM

YEEESSS!! FINALLY!! They are recognizing The Philippines as a premier tourist destination and a place really to relax and be entertained!! I just hope the government cant take quick advantage of this and build more infrastructure, hiegthened security, improve the peace and order situation, better train our service personnel and make it easier for tourist to come here!! THEY MUST CAPITALIZE ON THIS! We are now at the tourism radar hotspot like never before!!:banana::banana::banana::cheers::cheers::cheers:

Business
Home > Business > Top Stories
PHL tops Q1 Google searches for 'resorts'

PATERNO ESMAQUEL II, GMA News
04/11/2011 | 10:39 PM
Email the Editor Print Share This

The Philippines bested other countries in the world in Google searches related to the keyword “resort," according to the summer-time results of the search engine’s Zeitgeist measurement tool.

The Southeast Asian nation also ranked among the Top 10 countries around the globe in searches related to the keywords “vacation," “summer," and “beach," Google said in a statement released Monday by the search engine’s Manila-based publicist, TeamAsia.

Zeitgeist measures the most-searched terms on Google.com. The German word means “spirit of the times."

The search engine said the Philippines’ rankings came as no surprise “in our tropical country where vacations in beaches or resorts can be pursued all-year round and weekend trips to nearby pools or beaches is the local norm."

In searches related to resorts, the Philippines was followed by Fiji, South Africa, India, Singapore, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Iraq, Canada, and Namibia.

The Philippines meanwhile placed sixth on the list of searches related to the keyword “summer," ninth in relation to “vacation," and fifth in relation to “beach."

In all categories, the Philippines topped other Asian countries.

The Department of Tourism earlier said it wants to "go beyond" the Philippines’ reputation as the go-to place for beaches and resorts. “We want to highlight our cultural and heritage sites as well as health and wellness destinations," Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said in an interview in January.

Coron gains momentum

In terms of specific areas in the Philippines, the Google results showed that Coron, Palawan took the top spot as the fastest-growing local destination searched on Google.

Featuring pristine white-sand beaches while remaining largely undeveloped compared to Boracay, Coron “is popular for being a great shipwreck dive spot as well as… its therapeutic Maquinit Health Springs."

About 275 kilometers north of Manila, the town of Sagada in the Mountain Province followed Coron. The list of fastest-rising local destinations also included Laguna, Pagudpud, Boracay, Bohol, Puerto Princesa, Tagaytay, Camarines Sur and Baguio.

“Compared with the 2010 Summer Zeitgeist, which was dominated by beaches, this year’s list shows Filipinos seeking destinations other than sand and sea," according to the Google statement.

Fewer ‘beach,’ ‘resorts’ searches

Google however noted a drop in the searches for the keywords “beach" and “resorts" in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same 2011 period.

The search engine noted that the Philippines experienced an “unusually hot" summer in 2010, with temperatures hitting 39 degrees Celsius, “prompting Pinoys to seek the water in unusually high numbers."

For 2011, on the other hand, state forecasters predict a wet summer.

The government targets doubling the number of tourists to the Philippines from over three million in 2010 to six million by 2016.

RonnieR

April 12th, 2011, 12:57 PM

^^ It was posted na in previous page but nevertheless it is still a pleasant thing to read. :)

In Cebu - a major contributor to the industry.

Cheers.

http://www.designbuild-network.com/news/news115996.html

Philippine Developer Begins Work on $464m Mixed-Use Project

12 April 2011

Philippines-based developer and mall operator SM Prime has commenced construction on a $464m mixed-use complex in Cebu City in the Philippines.

The development, christened the SM Seaside Complex, will centre around a $104m, four-level mall.

The mall will feature a roof garden, an ice-skating rink, an 18-lane bowling alley, an IMAX cinema and five-theatre Cineplex.

The mixed-use development will also feature hotels, a convention centre, residential buildings and community facilities in addition to a hospital and school.

The scheme could also feature a 30-storey tourist attraction with a viewing deck and restaurant and sculpture made of glass and LED lights, according to bworldonline.com.

shyaman

April 12th, 2011, 12:59 PM

^^ Iraq is in the top 10 for "resort" searches? :nuts:

amigo32

April 12th, 2011, 01:18 PM

^^ Iraq is in the top 10 for "resort" searches? :nuts:

:lol:

ang sama nito, bakit tayo lang ba dapat?:D

ricoyan

April 12th, 2011, 01:36 PM

^^ Iraq is in the top 10 for "resort" searches? :nuts:

Galing ah, Iraq beat out Maldives, the Mediterranean and the entire South America.:lol:

Fraulein

April 12th, 2011, 02:13 PM

Boracay tops as summer travel destination–StratPOLLS
Sunday, 03 April 2011 19:05 Anjo Alimario / Researcher/Writer

AS summer begins, the tempting and soothing place of Boracay remains the top choice as a summer travel destination among residents living in Metro Manila, according to the latest StratPOLLS survey.

Of the 250 respondents, 76 percent picked Boracay as the “top dreamland destination,” specifically among the rich and middle classes of Metro Manila, including the ritzy class,” professor Alfredo Sureta Jr. noted.

Palawan (59 percent), Cebu-Bohol (28 percent) and the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Tourism Corridor (27 percent) followed in second, third and fourth spots, respectively.

Completing the top 10 were Camarines Sur (24 percent), Baguio-Sagada (21 percent), Davao (21 percent), Subic-Clark (20 percent), Surigao (13 percent) and Cagayan de Oro (11 percent).

Based on the survey conducted from March 14 to 21, money, time, promise of fun and adventure, or plain reclusion, at least for the summer, were cited as major factors that would determine the final destination.

Using a telephone survey, Metro Manila respondents were asked to choose the top three travel destinations—from a mixed menu of 10 destinations, meaning as accessible by land or by air—that are upper most in their minds every time summer comes around the corner.

In the final tabulation, the destinations were categorized into two: accessible by air and accessible by land. Boracay topped the “by-air” destination while Tagaytay-Nasugbu topped the “by-land” category.

Asked if they were going on a vacation outside of Metro Manila this summer, half of the respondents (52.8 percent) answered, they “don’t know,” while 36 percent said “yes” and 11.2 percent said “no.”

The respondents’ age ranged from 18 to 56 and older.

Sureta, StratPOLLS executive director, pointed out that the Baguio-Sagada area had lost much of its appeal to nearby Tagaytay-Nasugbu which also boasts of cool and fine weather. The same could also be said of the Subic-Clark area notwithstanding its accessibility through the world-class SCTEx.

“Tagaytay-Nasugbu has really emerged as the top weekend and summer hideaway, at least for Metro Manila folks,” he said.

He added that if Libyan oil is that country’s key economic asset, the Philippines shores and tourist destinations might as well be a key contributor to the country’s economic well-being.

manila_eye

April 12th, 2011, 03:00 PM

Galing ah, Iraq beat out Maldives, the Mediterranean and the entire South America.:lol:

Actually maraming magagandang lugar sa Iraq. The country itself was part of the ancient Mesopotamia. So many things to actually rediscover.

hakz2007

April 13th, 2011, 04:43 AM

A group of 20 Indonesian local government officials are currently on a benchmarking tour here in CamSur to know more about our local governance....They visited Naga City Governance Institute and could not believe that our Governor is too young....

mwg12a

April 13th, 2011, 05:01 AM

^^ Iraq is in the top 10 for "resort" searches? :nuts:

bakit hindi??? parang new year duon siguro lagi, laging may putukan at ingay...:lol::lol:

Kintoy

April 13th, 2011, 10:01 AM

RonnieR

April 13th, 2011, 10:53 AM

Bricken Ridge

April 13th, 2011, 11:54 AM

NAIA 1 rated among world’s 10 worst airports

By DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:50:00 04/13/2011

MANILA, Philippines—An interactive website has voted the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) one of the world’s 10 worst airports and the worst in Asia in 2010, with travelers describing it as “a bombed-out ruin” and “a cattle yard, only worse.”

The website, “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports,” ranked the Manila airports, particularly NAIA Terminal 1, fifth worst in the world, behind two in France, including Charles De Gaulle in Paris, and the Los Angeles and Moscow airports.

The ranking was based on reviews of air travelers who complained, among other things, of “safety concerns, lack of comfortable seating, rude staff, hostile security, poor facilities, no (or few) services to pass the time, bribery and general hassles of being in the airport.”

Two lists of the best and the worst airports are updated annually by the website (http://sleepinginairports.net), which travel agent Donna McSherry started in 1996.

NAIA actually rose two places in the list. In 2009, it was ranked seventh. Two other Asian airports made it to the worst list in 2010, both from India, in New Delhi and Bombay at sixth and eighth, respectively.

On the other hand, the world’s three best airports in 2010, according to the website, were also in Asia: Singapore Changi, Seoul Incheon and Hong Kong, the same top three the previous year.

‘Bombed-out ruin’

Most complaints about NAIA concerned the old Terminal 1, which hosts all international flights except those of Philippine Airlines, which uses Terminal 2, and Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines and All Nippon Airways, which use Terminal 3.

A reviewer named Brenty said of NAIA: “It has to be experienced to be believed. Think of a bombed-out ruin and you’ll get some idea. It’s like a cattle yard, only worse. Toilets filthy. No seating once you get through customs (maybe 40 seats for a thousand passengers).”

“Bribery and corruption in this airport is rife and the scams start the minute you walk off the plane,” said another critic named Mecanix.

The website, however, acknowledged that “there is hope at this airport if you go to Terminal 3 where it is clean, spacious and has Internet connection.”

Improvements underway

Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Jose Angel Honrado said he respected the feedback, but added that he hoped the public would see the improvements at NAIA.

“We are aware of the deficiencies. We really appreciate the comments and we’re trying to correct these things. But please understand that this will take time,” he said.

He also encouraged NAIA critics to visit Terminal 1 again and take note of the upgrades. He said they should understand that renovating a 30-year-old terminal is not easy.

Honrado noted efforts to fix toilets at Terminal 1 and plans to put in “a new carpet.” He also said coordination with immigration and customs offices would hopefully eradicate bribery.

For ‘spill-over’ flights

In the next few years, he said “definitely” all international flights would move to Terminal 3 in spite of legal troubles involving compensation disputes with its builder, Philippine International Air Terminals Co.

Honrado said the government clearly has a mandate to operate Terminal 3, and he sees no reason to put off plans to develop it until it becomes fully operational within “one and a half years.” He, however, added that Terminal 1 would still likely be retained for “spill-over” flights.

hakz2007

April 13th, 2011, 12:50 PM

How old is your governor?

I think he's more than 30....:)

RonnieR

April 13th, 2011, 12:59 PM

^^ Ah okay. Young but an Achiever. :cheers:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=675957&publicationSubCategoryId=200

Phl sees China as key source of tourist arrivals
(philstar.com) Updated April 13, 2011 05:29 PM

Manila (Xinhua) – The Philippines, which has been promoting its tourism industry, sees China as one of its key markets, the local tourism department said Wednesday.

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said the government is working hard to improve the country's infrastructure, facilities, and services in preparation for the arrival of more Chinese tourists.

Lim said China's outbound travelers is expected to reach 100 million by 2020, making it the strongest source of tourists in Asia and the world.

The Philippines hope to tap the market especially after an 18 percent growth in the number of Chinese travelers visiting the Philippines last year. This means that China is one of the fastest- growing markets for Philippine tourism, Lim said.

By 2016, the Philippines hope to double the number of tourist arrivals in the country to six million from three million.

OtAkAw

April 13th, 2011, 01:05 PM

^^working hard? working hard? WORKING HARD??!! Talaga lang ha.

icarusrising

April 14th, 2011, 08:42 AM

PHL an ideal haven for ‘silver aristocrats’ (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/economy/9867-phl-an-ideal-haven-for-silver-aristocrats)

Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Estrella Torres / Reporter
Business Mirror

Foreign and local investors have urged the government to embark on the construction and improvement of its vital infrastructure facilities, notably airport facilities, to enable the country to cash in on the multibillion-dollar retirement business.

Henry Schumacher, president of the Retirement and Healthcare Coalition Inc. (RHC), said the increasing population of rich retirees, or so-called silver aristocrats, from developed countries like the US, Japan and European capitals provide vast opportunities for investments in the country. Malaysia and Thailand were reported to have made great strides in building a strong retirement industry among Asian countries.

RHC, composed of investors from the US, Europe, Japan and South Korea and local partners from hospitals and resort groups, have identified several areas ideal as retirement havens in the country, among which are Clark and Subic, Cebu, Dumaguete, Tagaytay-Nasugbu and Metro Manila.

“We urge the Aquino administration to address critical issues that include facilitating seamless travel and stay of foreign retirees in the country,” said Schumacher during the First Philippine Retirement and Healthcare Summit held in Makati City.

He said the current situation on the ground does not allow investors to engage and establish retirement facilities due to the lack of ease in the entry and exit for the foreign retirees, as well as the absence of a holistic retirement village.

Schumacher, president emeritus of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, said RHC “has been talking to the government on the critical issues of the retirement and health care sector.”

He stressed that the Philippines needs to address the rehabilitation of international and domestic airports after the country was voted as having the worst airport in Asia. “The online vote [against Philippine airports] underlines the situation of our airports [further complicated] by the situation of workers in the immigration and customs demanding their overtime pay.”

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, meanwhile, said the Aquino administration is hopeful that the Public-Private Partnership Program will attract investors to engage in the retirement and health-care services to improve infrastructure all over the country.

“Our drive for genuine national development and progress is one that we cannot undertake alone. We know that we need the private sector at our side to bring in capital and generate jobs,” according to him.

Ochoa assured investors from RHC of the Aquino administration’s “stability and consistency” with regard to policies, a level playing field to players and stakeholders, as well as a clean government that adheres to the rule of law.

Rene Fritschi, managing director of RPF Hospital Consulting in Bangkok, said the Philippines has the edge of becoming Southeast Asia’s leading retirement and health-care haven because it serves as a “ tropical paradise for permanent residence.”

He also said foreign retirees could enjoy low cost of living and high value for their money and high standard of medical services and nursing.

manileño

April 14th, 2011, 08:56 AM

NAIA 1 rated among world’s 10 worst airports

MANILA, Philippines—An interactive website has voted the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) one of the world’s 10 worst airports and the worst in Asia in 2010, with travelers describing it as “a bombed-out ruin” and “a cattle yard, only worse.”

If after 5 years, or when PNOY's term is out, this cattle yard is still not fixed, i hope his successor just revert it back to Manila Int'l Cattleyard or MIA, cos it's a shame really, to have an airport named after the president's own father, and yet it's still rated among the worlds worst. :bash:

rawr

April 14th, 2011, 09:08 AM

^^^^ haha...sooooo foreigners hate our crappy terminal 1 and yet they love going to Camsur and Boracay...that's how beautiful our resorts are. Appreciate.

amigo32

April 14th, 2011, 09:13 AM

ang ganda namn kung cattle yard or bombed ruin yun:D sobra namn sila:D

oo pangit nga sya:D:lol: kahit ako napapangitan, pero hindi namn kasing pangit ng cattle yard o tira sa giyera:D

xxxriainxxx

April 14th, 2011, 09:30 AM

ang ganda namn kung cattle yard or bombed ruin yun:D sobra namn sila:D

oo pangit nga sya:D:lol: kahit ako napapangitan, pero hindi namn kasing pangit ng cattle yard o tira sa giyera:D

Right on. So ibig sabihin mas maganda pa ang airport ng Bangladesh o Lao. HAHA.

Kintoy

April 14th, 2011, 09:32 AM

icarusrising

April 14th, 2011, 10:05 AM

Naia 1 is not the world’s worst airport (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/opinion/9879-naia-1-is-not-the-worlds-worst-airport)

Wednesday, 13 April 2011
John Mangun / Outside the Box

Two recent stories about the Philippines caught my attention the other day. From the Inquirer: “Naia 1 rated among world’s 10 worst airports” and “Philippines tops Googles’ places-to-visit search list.”

As airports go, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 is “one of the world’s 10 worst airports and the worst in Asia in 2010.” As a resort destination that people search on Google, “The Philippines ranked on top of a list of ‘resorts’ that people all over the world look for on Google.com” and “The Philippines was the highest-ranked country from Asia.”

What that means, I guess, is that tourists want to come here for the Philippines’ resorts, but hate the airport when they get here.

On the Google list, the Philippines topped; Fiji, South Africa, India, Singapore, the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Iraq, Canada and Namibia.

On the list of worst airports, the Philippines came in at No. 5, below Charles de Gaulle and Beauvais in Paris, France; Moscow’s Sheremetyevo, and Los Angeles International Airport. The winners were Singapore’s Changi, Incheon in Korea, Hong Kong, Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Munich, Germany’s airport. Is there any reason why the best airports are those frequently used by Filipino tourists and overseas workers?

There is no reason to dispute the Google list, although searching for vacation destinations in Iraq may be a little premature.

As far as airports go, it is not surprising to see Manila’s Terminal 1 on the “worst” list. But then again, personally, I have been in about 50 airports around the world, and I think they are all about the same with good and bad qualities. In Moscow, back in the days of the Soviet Union, instead of a prayer room was an area where you could read free literature about how wonderful the communist state was doing. I flew there from Singapore on the national carrier Aeroflot. The flight was delayed for three hours waiting for the wife of some important Soviet official who was finishing her Singapore shopping spree. So much for the equality of the “worker’s paradise.”

I was intrigued, though, why Manila would rank higher (or lower on the “worst” list) than Los Angeles.

The negative reviews about our airport came from a web site called sleepinginairports.net, which bills itself as “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports,” “For travelers who are really on a budget and are looking for a way to skim a few bucks off their travel expenses, why not consider sleeping in an airport?”

I do not know about you, but looking for and evaluating an airport for its sleeping qualities is just about the last thing I want to do. Sleeping in an airport is what you do when your hotel checkout time is 2 p.m. and the flight leaves at midnight. Or when you have a three-hour layover to change flights at 3 a.m. to get to Manila before dinnertime.

Here are comments from sleepinginairports.net. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: “The washrooms were dirty and had a really rank smell.” Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport: “The atmosphere in the terminal building is awful; it’s dark like cave, dirty and small space.” Los Angeles Airport: “I couldn’t relieve myself in the terminal bathroom because the stench was so horrible.” Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport: “Think of a bombed-out ruin and you’ll get some idea. Do not try to sleep in this airport.”

So Naia is the fifth worst airport in the world (and the worst in Asia) if you are too cheap or too broke that you need to sleep in an airport.

This story should have been treated like the joke it is and treated a little less seriously. Naia Terminal 1 is certainly old and a poor gateway to the country. I think that is why Terminal 3 was built. And the comments about the new terminal were positive even from the “sleepers.” “After nearly three months traveling in SE Asia, Terminal 3 was excellent.” “Terminal 3 has so many seats and good Wi-Fi.” “Clean, neat, lots of seats, toilets are clean, security is bored but friendly, and the food places are reasonable.”

But even Terminal 1 is better for sleeping than Paris, Moscow and Los Angeles. That should count for something positive if any one cares.

Something else is interesting about the ‘best’ and ‘worst’

Each of the airports considered “best” are operated by private companies, with responsibility to shareholders and founded with the purpose of making old-fashioned capitalist profits.

Singapore’s Changi Airport is operated by Changi Airport Group, a private for-profit company. Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) operates Incheon International Airport for profit and is going to be privatized and publicly listed. Hong Kong’s Lantau airport is operated by the Airport Authority Hong Kong and intends to be publicly listed soon and currently receives no financial assistance from the government. Flughafen Muenchen GmbH (Munich) is an international private company. Schiphol Group, a private for-profit company operates Amsterdam’s airport.

Los Angeles International is operated by Los Angeles World Airports, which is the airport oversight and operations department for the city of Los Angeles. Moscow airport’s operator, Sheremetyevo International Airport, is a corporation not designed to make a profit. France’s Beauvais is operated by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de l’Oise, a nonprofit organization. Manila’s Terminal 1 is operated by a government agency, the Manila International Airport Authority, a branch of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Only Charles de Gaulle Airport is privately operated by publicly listed French company Aéroports de Paris Group.

My personal opinion is that the natural pride of the Filipino (not government operational control), given the right tools and facilities to work with, has allowed Terminal 3 to be highly rated.

“Progressive” liberal thinkers who believe that the government and only the government should determine consumer prices, provide subsidies, manage the food supply, and otherwise control the economy, might do well to provide examples where this economic model ever works.

E-mail comments to mangun@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . PSE stock-market information and technical analysis tools provided by
CitisecOnline.com Inc.

RonnieR

April 14th, 2011, 11:08 AM

^^ for sleeping tourists, SG really tops the list.

This place can be promoted for tourists. I brought my Australian and Malaysian friends last December in this place and they loved it.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020751.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020757.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020758.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020753.jpg

Bricken Ridge

April 14th, 2011, 11:34 AM

If after 5 years, or when PNOY's term is out, this cattle yard is still not fixed, i hope his successor just revert it back to Manila Int'l Cattleyard or MIA, cos it's a shame really, to have an airport named after the president's own father, and yet it's still rated among the worlds worst. :bash:

Either that or we can hope for the realization of Manny Pangilinan's vision of converting DMIA as the primary entrypoint with a multimodal transport system that includes a high-speed rail system connecting NAIA.

RonnieR

April 14th, 2011, 12:36 PM

Cebu: Soon to rise in the Queen City. A major tourist place of PH!
here's some chop-chop pics...hehehe!

pics from: http://www.zerothreetwo.com/the-city...ide-city-cebu/
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b211/leylan/6.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b211/leylan/7.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b211/leylan/5.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b211/leylan/4.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b211/leylan/2.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b211/leylan/1.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b211/leylan/3.jpg

pics hosted by www.photobucket.com

I love this SM!

xxxriainxxx

April 14th, 2011, 12:45 PM

^^ Totoo ba yang design na yan?? Okay yan pag matuloy. Pero scary pag may lindol! hahaha

RonnieR

April 14th, 2011, 12:50 PM

^^ Totoo ba yang design na yan?? Okay yan pag matuloy. Pero scary pag may lindol! hahaha

Yes...it's confirmed! :cheers: Wala namang malalakas na lindol ang Cebu....meron ba? Di ka bilib sa Cebu?

SM Prime launches P20B project at SRP
By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) Updated April 11, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) View comments

CEBU, Philippines - SM Prime Holdings formally launched its P20 billion integrated development project at South Road Properties (SRP), named “SM Seaside Complex.”

SM Prime Holdings president Hans Sy said the 30-hectare development will build a big shopping mall to be called “SM Seaside City Cebu” which is half of the size of the Mall of Asia (MOA) in Manila, or will cover 270 thousand square meters.

According to Sy, although the road infrastructure, the church and the mall will be simultaneously constructed, the shopping mall is expected to be completed by 2nd quarter of 2013.

The construction of the shopping mall alone, will already incur the company a total of P4.5 billion. Part of the plan is also to build residential facilities, hotel, apartments, condominiums, school and a hospital.

This project is seen to introduce another level of urban living in Cebu. “We make it sure that every time we build something, it should offer something new, and something different,” said Sy in the interview during the formal launching of the project held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.

“We have always believed in Cebu, and its people, its distinct history and culture,” he said.

After the construction of the shopping mall at the SRP, building of the hotel and residential projects will start, he said.

The mall “SM Seaside City Cebu” will be one of the first developments in the master-plan of SM Properties, which stretches from the northern part of the SRP to the sea.

Designed by Arquitectonica, an international architecture, interior design and planning firm from Miami Florida, the grand, first-of-its-kind urban development at the SRP will dramatically change the landscape of the City with its nautilus-inspired design of expanding, concentric arcs from a central multi-purpose space.

The 3rd SM shopping mall in Cebu, next to the under-construction mall in Consolacion, SM Seaside City Cebu will be a 4-level, circular-shaped, world-class retail mall with multiple anchors, including a two-story SM Department Store and SM Hypermart, a five-theater Cineplex and IMAX Theatre, an 18-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center, and a food court flanking an ice skating rink.

In addition, the mall will have over 800 food and retail shops, including international brands.

Retail shops will occupy the outer arc of the mall on the ground floor. This area will include a furniture zone as well as a fashion boulevard to showcase the talent of Cebu’s many local designers.

The introduction of the SM Seaside City Cebu promised to revolutionize the malling experience not only in Cebu but in the whole country’s south.

An Iconic Viewing Tower will be an attraction in itself, offering sensational panoramic views of the entire city of Cebu while serving as a new landmark for the City. (FREEMAN)

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=675030&publicationSubCategoryId=108

xxxriainxxx

April 14th, 2011, 01:07 PM

Yes...it's confirmed! :cheers: Wala namang malalakas na lindol ang Cebu....meron ba? Di ka bilib sa Cebu?

Designed by Arquitectonica, an international architecture, interior design and planning firm from Miami Florida, the grand, first-of-its-kind urban development at the SRP will dramatically change the landscape of the City with its nautilus-inspired design of expanding, concentric arcs from a central multi-purpose space.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=675030&publicationSubCategoryId=108

Hindi sa hindi bilib, alam mo naman, nakailang beses na tayo napaso sa mga 'iconic' buildings na yan na hindi naman natutuloy at puro speculative lang.

Sa Mindanao, merong isang building dun na parang scroll na itatayo diba? Ewan ko lang kung tuloy din yun.

Pag natuloy yang iconic building sa Cebu, okay yan.

watcher09

April 14th, 2011, 02:20 PM

Hindi sa hindi bilib, alam mo naman, nakailang beses na tayo napaso sa mga 'iconic' buildings na yan na hindi naman natutuloy at puro speculative lang.

Pag natuloy yang iconic building sa Cebu, okay yan.

When SM proposes, it comes to fruition.

xxxriainxxx

April 14th, 2011, 02:48 PM

When SM proposes, it comes to fruition.

Hopefully for this, sana matuloy. Good for the country and for Cebu.

amigo32

April 14th, 2011, 03:12 PM

Nice:D

NOVO ECIJANO

April 14th, 2011, 04:51 PM

Cebu: Soon to rise in the Queen City. A major tourist place of PH!

I love this SM!

iyan ang tinatawag nilang deconstruction design,distorting the lines of the building.ang magaling diyan ay sina Frank Gehry,Daniel Libeskind,Zaha Hadid.

manileño

April 14th, 2011, 05:38 PM

This place can be promoted for tourists. I brought my Australian and Malaysian friends last December in this place and they loved it.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd350/RonnieR_2008/P1020753.jpg

i don't like the whole jane fonda atmosphere here on late afternoons and early evenings while i sit and enjoy my cup of coffee or snacks. seriously, don't these people have their own little parks where they live or even access to a gym? :D

But, i do like the new restaurants that have opened up in the triangle, as for the park and gardens, i guess its alright although i find the whole place kind of flat. and IMO, those monuments of Diego Silang, Sultan Kudarat, and this Ninoy stuck in those different intersections surrounding the triangle would find a better home here within the gardens where people can actually come up close to them and read their markers (instead of blocking pedestrians in those intersections). Think Luneta. I hope the guys from Ayala are reading this :)

amigo32

April 15th, 2011, 12:47 AM

wag na makialam, pribado nga daw sa kanila yan eh:D anong gusto nila yun ang masusunod:D

Manila-X

April 15th, 2011, 07:01 AM

Airport wise, the best is to fully develop DMIA to its full capacity and replace NAIA are the country's premier gateway.

NAIA does not have anymore room for expansion. DMIA has.

majaba98

April 15th, 2011, 07:20 AM

Sleeping at airports :

Here are comments from sleepinginairports.net. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: “The washrooms were dirty and had a really rank smell.” Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport: “The atmosphere in the terminal building is awful; it’s dark like cave, dirty and small space.” Los Angeles Airport: “I couldn’t relieve myself in the terminal bathroom because the stench was so horrible.” Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport: “Think of a bombed-out ruin and you’ll get some idea. Do not try to sleep in this airport.”
Excert from John Mangun / Outside the Bo comments :

So Naia is the fifth worst airport in the world (and the worst in Asia) if you are too cheap or too broke that you need to sleep in an airport.

This story should have been treated like the joke it is and treated a little less seriously. Naia Terminal 1 is certainly old and a poor gateway to the country. I think that is why Terminal 3 was built. And the comments about the new terminal were positive even from the “sleepers.” “After nearly three months traveling in SE Asia, Terminal 3 was excellent.” “Terminal 3 has so many seats and good Wi-Fi.” “Clean, neat, lots of seats, toilets are clean, security is bored but friendly, and the food places are reasonable.”

But even Terminal 1 is better for sleeping than Paris, Moscow and Los Angeles. That should count for something positive if any one cares.

My opinion :
Airports are NOT hotels ! They were neither built nor meant to substitute an overnight stay. Build a Budget Hotel at any large airport and forbid travelers sleeping in terminals. It´s an eye sore for other travelers and a pain in the neck watching open mouths snoring their dreams away right next to you on a late night flight you have to catch. I am glad NAIA was notched as a bad airport for sleepers, hipoefully it will keep them away in future !

manileño

April 15th, 2011, 07:45 AM

^^ nothing wrong with sleeping at airports especially when it's the airlines fault that your flight is delayed or when there's a short layover for your connecting flight and theres hardly enough time to walk outside and do sightseeing.

Manila-X

April 15th, 2011, 07:51 AM

We all have to face the facts that NAIA T1 is a terrible airport. And this is not just for sleeping but the entire terminal itself.

It is really sad the look once foreign tourists steps out of the terminal and to the waiting area.

manileño

April 15th, 2011, 08:10 AM

^^ yea, maybe it has something to do with government policies, or lack thereof? :D

Business seeks clear policy on int’l gateways
By EDU LOPEZ
April 10, 2011, 1:47pm

MANILA, Philippines -- Business groups led by the Joint Foreign Chambers in the Philippines have urged the Aquino administration to spell out a clear policy that determines which of the airports are to be developed as international gateways.

The foreign chambers were behind the "Arangkada 2010," a package of economic reforms under the present administration being orchestrated to sustain rapid economic growth in the country.

The chambers held a recent conference workshop at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) day to update themselves on what has happened to the reform package they submitted to the executive and legislative arms of government last year.

Capt. Benjamin Solis, an aviation management consultant of the Asia Foundation and presenter of the group that tackled issues and concerns on Philippine aviation, further explained that it will take seven to 10 years to build a major international gateway with a capacity of 30 to 40 million passengers a year.

Hand in hand with the gateway policy, Solis also batted for the splitting of the role of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) successor of the Air Transportation Office, from being both a regulator and operator of the country's many ports including that in Manila.

Solis asserted that CAAP, with its limited manpower, should just be a regulator. Another government agency must be created to operate the government ports, he added.

With the right policies in place, the aviation consultant argued that modernizing the airports would come easier and faster.

A third policy reform would be a clear policy and mechanism for the privatization of public ports.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila has reached its peak capacity in handling international passengers.

While President Ramos, during his term, declared the Clark International Airbase as the chief international gateway to the country in this century, succeeding administrations did little to truly make the airport as such.

Clark, renamed the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, has become home to budget airlines to different destinations abroad, mostly in Asia. In its new role, it is also approaching its peak capacity.

The national situation is, the Philippines does not have a clear international gateway policy which is the root cause of the industry's snail-paced modernization.

Until this year, the country's airports remained downgraded to the status of being unfit for international flights.

RonnieR

April 15th, 2011, 08:19 AM

Hindi sa hindi bilib, alam mo naman, nakailang beses na tayo napaso sa mga 'iconic' buildings na yan na hindi naman natutuloy at puro speculative lang.

Sa Mindanao, merong isang building dun na parang scroll na itatayo diba? Ewan ko lang kung tuloy din yun.

Pag natuloy yang iconic building sa Cebu, okay yan.

When SM proposes, it comes to fruition.

With SM's wealth, this can be done. What SM wants, SM gets, hehehe.

iyan ang tinatawag nilang deconstruction design,distorting the lines of the building.ang magaling diyan ay sina Frank Gehry,Daniel Libeskind,Zaha Hadid.

Are you an Architect? Cool.

i don't like the whole jane fonda atmosphere here on late afternoons and early evenings while i sit and enjoy my cup of coffee or snacks. seriously, don't these people have their own little parks where they live or even access to a gym? :D

But, i do like the new restaurants that have opened up in the triangle, as for the park and gardens, i guess its alright although i find the whole place kind of flat. and IMO, those monuments of Diego Silang, Sultan Kudarat, and this Ninoy stuck in those different intersections surrounding the triangle would find a better home here within the gardens where people can actually come up close to them and read their markers (instead of blocking pedestrians in those intersections). Think Luneta. I hope the guys from Ayala are reading this :)

wag na makialam, pribado nga daw sa kanila yan eh:D anong gusto nila yun ang masusunod:D

You made me laugh - Jane Fonda. In BGC Bonifacio High Street, so many people there jog in the afternoon up to late evening.

In Serendra and Ayala Triangle, at 11 PM, you would still see people jogging in the streets surrounding the said areas.

The positive message is: hey, it's fun, safe and cool to jog here. :)

amigo32

April 15th, 2011, 08:20 AM

Hindi ba puede ibalik na lang sa Manila International Airport na lang ang name nya?

Pati yung iba, dapat sa lugar na lang ipangalan mga irpot natin:D

Mactan okay na yun:D

xxxriainxxx

April 15th, 2011, 09:59 AM

^^ Kahit ibalik mo sa MIA yan, kung ganyan pa din sya, wala pa ding magagawa.

juniordiscovery

April 15th, 2011, 02:28 PM

Cebu: Soon to rise in the Queen City. A major tourist place of PH!

I love this SM!

Wow! Super nice design! :cheers:

nayki

April 16th, 2011, 11:30 AM

Hopes to work out more tourism-oriented projects

By Doris Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:28:00 04/14/2011

Filed Under: Tourism, Real Estate, Construction & Property, Government, Investments

Close this MANILA, Philippines—Property giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is interested in the redevelopment of the five-hectare “Walled City” of Intramuros in Manila, which the Department of Tourism wants to offer for public-private partnership.

ALI would also like to pursue the development deal on Food Terminal Inc., the government’s agro-industrial complex in Taguig City. But the property firm will still have to wait for the privatization plans to be finalized, said ALI president Antonino Aquino.

The tourism department plans to redevelop Intramuros to better showcase the country’s heritage. It also likes to turn some of its areas into a mixed-use commercial and residential hub over a five-year period using financial muscle from the private sector.

A feasibility study will be undertaken soon ahead of a bidding for the PPP contract covering the Intramuros development set in early 2012.

“That should be interesting,” Aquino said at the sidelines of ALI’s annual stockholders’ meeting, referring to the Intramuros project. “A lot of these projects are interesting for us, especially because they are tourism-oriented.”

Aquino also said that the property firm would fully support whatever the government would decide on.

On FTI, Aquino said ALI had been interested in the agro-industrial complex since day one, but it would like to wait on what the government would like to do with this property.

Other companies like Empire East Land Holdings Inc., the middle-income residential property arm of tycoon Andrew Tan, and Gokongwei-led Robinsons Land Corp. have offered to develop the 103-hectare FTI complex.

Empire East has already quoted an offer of P14 billion.

The government believes that the participation of private entrepreneurs is essential in the development of the huge agro-industrial and commercial complex. Parcels of land have already been designated as a special economic zone. Certain portions of the complex are still occupied by tenants, some of whom hold lease contracts that will expire in 2015.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20110414-331150/Ayala-Land-eyes-devt-deal-for-Intramuros-FTI

kalbongdad

April 16th, 2011, 03:21 PM

Cebu: Soon to rise in the Queen City. A major tourist place of PH!

I love this SM!

i love the design.....only cebuanos could do......out perform imperial manila...go cebu....

urban Iegend

April 16th, 2011, 03:51 PM

Agas-agas (860m) Zipline

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1341506314282&comments

^^
freakin awesome!

bledzoe

April 17th, 2011, 03:11 AM

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/3580/natphotohiresb.jpg
A raft with a nipa roof cruises along the Dawel-Watac River in Dagupan City as part of efforts to attract tourists to Pangasinan.

Sizaryan

April 17th, 2011, 08:29 AM

http://www.samalcity.gov.ph/images/stories/13thfounding.jpg

juniordiscovery

April 17th, 2011, 10:08 AM

http://www.samalcity.gov.ph/images/stories/13thfounding.jpg

Visit Samal Now! :cheers:

http://davaodaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/samal_island.jpg

http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/travel_philippines/davao/images/Samal2.JPG

http://davaodaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/samalbatcave.jpg

http://davaodaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/samal_beach.jpg

Kintoy

April 17th, 2011, 10:19 AM

i hope ayala will win Intramuros redevelopment

manileño

April 17th, 2011, 06:10 PM

^^ yup, and like i said in Ciudad Murada thread where this article was first posted, Ayala is really the perfect guy for the job, as he is the only developer with the mind and blood of Intramuros founder, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. The rest of the interested companies (SM, Robinsons, Lucio Tan) are only fit for maybe the Puerto del Parian (Chinese Gate) portion redevelopment. :D

Askal82

April 17th, 2011, 06:39 PM

Kintoy

April 17th, 2011, 09:41 PM

xxxriainxxx

April 18th, 2011, 04:20 AM

Not at all. They should just redevelop Chinatown and make it more palatable to the tourists.

I believe there is a section of Binondo being developed right now, right?

Bricken Ridge

April 18th, 2011, 07:55 AM

manileño

April 18th, 2011, 09:08 AM

Nabartek

April 18th, 2011, 09:20 AM

^^ di na makikialam mga indio dyan :lol: taga gamit lang mga indio. hehehe

xxxriainxxx

April 18th, 2011, 09:46 AM

Bricken Ridge

April 18th, 2011, 10:04 AM

^^ you mean Insulares vs Sangleyes? :jk:

well, part of the redevelopment project is to retain the old architecture as well as to recreate its former environment, wherein only spanish and filipinos are allowed in, and sangleyes are kept out or confined in Puerta del Parian hehe jk :D

Oo nga pala, Sangleyes vs Insulares. That's actually true in history, the Chinese were not allowed to enter beyond Parian. :)

Any restoration project has to be approved by the Historical Institute, Department of Tourism and the Intramuros Administration so regardless who gets the contract, restoration should be pursued with historical accuracy, up to the finest detail. This is such a big big project. It requires lots and lots of research and international expertise. Manila needs Intramuros more than Intramuros needs Manila. This is one attraction that if properly restored and managed, will put Manila on the international tourist map, and not just a stopover to Philippine beaches.

Kintoy

April 18th, 2011, 10:41 AM

if it werent for intramuros, there's nothing to see in Manila, even with the tacky, ugly lighting on the roads and bridges

manileño

April 18th, 2011, 11:16 AM

Any restoration project has to be approved by the Historical Institute, Department of Tourism and the Intramuros Administration so regardless who gets the contract, restoration should be pursued with historical accuracy, up to the finest detail.

true, but can we really trust the NHI, DOT and IA to know the details and historical accuracies when they are the same bureaucratic officials with the littlest imagination? hopefully, im wrong but i really don't see anyone who can pull off a project this big and sophisticated other than el Basco. :)

I dont have a render, but im guessing itd look something as good or even better than this.
http://welcometochina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/macau-senado.jpg

May nakita ako dung plan sa MOA dati about redeveloping Chinatown, gawin syang parang Chinese style Greenbelt..parang isang block.

ah ya, saan yan sa Binondo? cos im not sure there's any more space left to build a whole block of highrises or commercial buildings, unless they tear down the whole side of Ongpin by the church and plaza, which is the perfect location for a new Barrio Chino btw. Those ugly buildings and old warehouses should go anyway :D

pau_p1

April 18th, 2011, 11:21 AM

if it werent for intramuros, there's nothing to see in Manila, even with the tacky, ugly lighting on the roads and bridges

I agree.. it's hard to pick for a historical site in Manila to recommend foreign friends aside from Intramuros and the Rizal Park... I hope they spruce up the Binondo-Sta. Cruz-Quiapo area as well... so that it will be attractive for tourists... Divisoria should also be redeveloped to somehow be like a Mongkok or Bugis type of place... that is organized for tourists looking for good bargains...

Fraulein

April 18th, 2011, 11:40 AM

Tagaytay still safe from Taal Volcano
Monday, April 18, 2011

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2011/04/18/tagaytay-still-safe-taal-volcano-151083

The government assured visitors that Tagaytay and lakeshore towns are safe to visit despite the continuing unrest around the Taal Volcano on Monday.

This development came after Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim noted cancellations in resorts and hotels around Tagaytay due to fears of volcanic eruption. He declined to give exact figures.

The Tourism chief quoted volcanologist Ted Sandoval of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) as saying that Tagaytay is not at risk.

The tourism industry in these places is losing millions of pesos daily as cancellations in one resort alone like Club Balai Isabel ranged from 600 to 1,000 persons per day, Lim said.

For his part, Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said only the Main Crater, Daang Kastila Trail and Mount Tabaro must be avoided at Alert Level 2.

The current level status means that magma has been intruding toward the surface.

“Tagaytay is safe even if the volcano erupts from life-threatening hazards and will only be affected by ash fall if wind is towards it. People can safely visit areas not only in Tagaytay but areas around Taal Lake in the mainland,” Solidum told Sun.Star. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

Kintoy

April 18th, 2011, 11:58 AM

I agree.. it's hard to pick for a historical site in Manila to recommend foreign friends aside from Intramuros and the Rizal Park... I hope they spruce up the Binondo-Sta. Cruz-Quiapo area as well... so that it will be attractive for tourists... Divisoria should also be redeveloped to somehow be like a Mongkok or Bugis type of place... that is organized for tourists looking for good bargains...

you can show them the "World's most tacky and garish bridge"... yung from nagtahan to quirino?

omnislash

April 18th, 2011, 02:08 PM

^^ di na makikialam mga indio dyan :lol: taga gamit lang mga indio. hehehe

How I wish that day comes when Indios like me will have the chance to initiate these big projects.. if you'll notice it majority of the rich people in the Philippines are of Spanish and chinese descent(well, we could always look back in our history why)

I'm so excited for this.. :banana:
I wish they can restore the glory of Intramuros... I hope for the best

*I also wish they'd keep watch and try to preserve Vigan. I mean, yes it's beautiful but the poor condition of the bahay na bato makes it look as if the Philippines was a backwater colony.

manileño

April 18th, 2011, 06:01 PM

^^ Manny Pangilinan and Manny Villar are indios, right? they did not express interest in the project, though.
Not even the guys from New San Jose Builders.. :D

thescene

April 18th, 2011, 06:22 PM

Bacolod City is the "Destination of the Month" on the travel website http://www.wikitravel.org

Greenfield

April 18th, 2011, 11:52 PM

I agree.. it's hard to pick for a historical site in Manila to recommend foreign friends aside from Intramuros and the Rizal Park... I hope they spruce up the Binondo-Sta. Cruz-Quiapo area as well... so that it will be attractive for tourists... Divisoria should also be redeveloped to somehow be like a Mongkok or Bugis type of place... that is organized for tourists looking for good bargains...

I agree sir with the Binondo-Sta. Cruz-Quiapo aside from Intramuros.

omnislash

April 19th, 2011, 01:18 AM

^^ Manny Pangilinan and Manny Villar are indios, right? they did not express interest in the project, though.
Not even the guys from New San Jose Builders.. :D

yep I know..but again as I said, MAJORITY of them are of spanish/chinese descent.

kevinb

April 19th, 2011, 03:38 AM

Bricken Ridge

April 19th, 2011, 08:51 AM

true, but can we really trust the NHI, DOT and IA to know the details and historical accuracies when they are the same bureaucratic officials with the littlest imagination? hopefully, im wrong but i really don't see anyone who can pull off a project this big and sophisticated other than el Basco. :)

I dont have a render, but im guessing itd look something as good or even better than this.
http://welcometochina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/macau-senado.jpg

It took about 300 years for Intramuros to reach its peak before quakes and wars left it in ruins. I don't expect a restoration to finish even 1/10th of that time. This project is a big challenge alright. Now, if our bureaucrats has the littlest of imagination, a big project like this will be out of their cranial capacity- I'm sure they'll consult guys like us. Haha. But isn't it that the Global Heritage Fund Mission is extending their limbs to help with the restoration?

manileño

April 19th, 2011, 10:17 AM

^^ ah , yup haha. now going back to the article, it looks like this project is not going to be handled by one man, and that Ayala i think (if he ever wins this), will only be involved in its commercial and residential development component where the real business is, of course. The restoration of the churches and other important buildings lying in ruins will be the responsibilty of other entities like your GHF probably, the Church and other government agencies. In fact, as i recall now from reading the posts in Intramuros thread, the Ayuntamiento restoration has already started so that means what is being bid out right now is really just what Ayala is good at doing. :)

The tourism department plans to redevelop Intramuros to better showcase the country’s heritage. It also likes to turn some of its areas into a mixed-use commercial and residential hub over a five-year period using financial muscle from the private sector.

Greenfield

April 19th, 2011, 10:48 AM

I believe there is a section of Binondo being developed right now, right?

I think so sir. Megaworld properties po yata ang contractor.

xxxriainxxx

April 19th, 2011, 12:47 PM

I think so sir. Megaworld properties po yata ang contractor.

I think eto yata yun:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f60gEKbXTOU/SPeHnTU7c4I/AAAAAAAAA1g/3vnPvQp2sZs/s1600/cityplace%2Bmegaworld%2Bbinondo%2B4.jpg

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr246/houseofonika/cityplacemegaworldbinondo11.jpg

Photos from : http://www.houseofonika.com/2008/10/cityplace-new-face-of-chinatown.html

Developer: http://www.cityplace.com.ph/

Also, Tutuban is going to get a facelift:

Tutuban Mall sets P1.5-B redevelopment (http://ph.news.yahoo.com/tutuban-mall-sets-p1-5-b-redevelopment-20110314-080333-138.html)

Part of the plan is the construction of six-story budget hotel, a review center hub and a fresh produce area with estimated initial project cost of P1.5 billion.

"There is no new hotel near here for the accommodation of traders. The nearest hotel would be Manila Opera House and Manila Hotel," he said. It would be a 250-room hotel.

The review center hub hopes to attract the review centers for board exams scattered around the Claro M. Recto area into one new place.

The new development would also include an 'Auto City' or an 'upgraded Banaue' where all the automotive showrooms and services are located. There would also be a specific area for motorcycle displays.

Another area would be devoted to a strip mall, which would be developed similar to the Bonifacio Hi-Street to cater to the new generation of 'Binondo Chinese'.

Kintoy

April 19th, 2011, 12:50 PM

they should also spend 1 billion to remove all those ugly, technicolor, tacky street lights

Ady001

April 19th, 2011, 12:54 PM

^^ And of course, get rid of the pirates and give them better jobs.

The mindset of course, has to be changed to increase effectivity.

noli-kun

April 19th, 2011, 12:59 PM

^^Okay ako dun sa sputnik lights ni Atienza, it's incredible that he jumpstarted this national trend of lighting beautification na ginaya naman ng iba't ibang city sa Pinas. Yung iba lang talaga sobrang tasteless. Like Lim's streetlights.

I'm just thinking, should the city of Manila make a major major spruce up and overhaul, will the rest of the unmaintained cities nationwide follow suit?

BTW, the Tutuban Area is a promising area for development as well. They must maintain the colonial architecture and tidy up more.

urban Iegend

April 19th, 2011, 02:34 PM

Zip Southern Leyte - the longest zipline (1km in length; ave. 30 seconds ride), tallest (equivalent to 30 stories high), steepest, biggest angle of descent (resulting in speeds of 100kph +, depending on body weight) in the country today. Only in Eastern Visayas! :) It is located at the country's tallest bridge - the Agas-Agas Bridge in Sogod, Southern Leyte, 2 hours drive from Tacloban City. Photos taken during its soft opening, 15 April 2011. Additional photos by martiruiz

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206228_10150172070756009_249388896008_6788404_4740161_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/217264_10150172034001009_249388896008_6787609_2460570_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206949_10150172036716009_249388896008_6787671_871088_n.jpg

source (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150172031566009.285427.249388896008)

urban Iegend

April 19th, 2011, 02:56 PM

Some of the Island Getaways 2-3hours from Tacloban
[para sa isang forumer na nagsasabing walang turistang makikinabang sa TAC airport kaya di raw pwede ipatuloy ang airport redevelopment]

source: PhilippineBeaches.org (http://www.philippinebeaches.org)

Calicoan - Guiuan, E. Samar

http://trexplore.webs.com/DSCN0795.JPG

http://www.calicoanislandvillas.com/files/photos/calicoanisland/pt1.jpg

http://www.samarsurf.com/images/Calicoan%20Island_jpg.jpg

http://www.philcebuproperties.com/Other%20Areas/Calicoan%20Island%20Ocean%20Villas/Calicoan%20location_04.jpg

Calanggaman - Palompon, Leyte

http://www.philippinebeaches.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Calanggaman-Island-leyte.jpg

http://callezaragosa.com/gerryruizphotoblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/110222CalanggamanW-9424.jpg

http://alegrebeachresort.com/content/news_1526_1.jpg

Quatro Islas - Inopacan, Leyte

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4hSzDourE-Y/SnP9Zfuv7cI/AAAAAAAAFXA/uspqrnxFyhM/s400/Philippines.JPG

Canigao - Matalom, Leyte

http://bellastuffs.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/canigao-island.jpg

Kintoy

April 19th, 2011, 03:04 PM

sobrang gasgas na ang zip lines...

urban Iegend

April 19th, 2011, 03:07 PM

sobrang gasgas na ang zip lines...

pang "soft-opening" lang ang Zip line ng Agas-agas :lol:

Go South: Tour Southern Leyte

Interesting words have been attributed to the province of Southern Leyte and its people.

Yet beginning April 15, 2011 all of these can be summed up into: Southern Leyte: “The Playground of Eastern Visayas”.

With the renewed commitment and new-found inspiration from its current leaders, particularly with those from the private sector, tourism agenda in the province is now heading into its proper perspective.

The Southern Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SLCCI), as being headed by a young, committed and visionary Engr. Robert Castañares, has proven to be a potent partner in the renewed promotion of the province, altogether with Gov. Damian Mercado. As being inspired by Pres. Benigno Aquino III, this type of development is a great manifestation of Public-Private Partnership (PPP)in the province.

Indeed the performance coming from both private and public sectors greatly determines the pace of So. Leyte’s development, particularly on its tourism agenda.

As to the words of Mr. Buenaventura Go-Soco, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) -Region VIII Administrator : “The national and local government can adopt policies and construct the infrastructure, but it is private businesses which will deal directly with the tourists , provide the facilities and services”.

Evidently, Southern Leyte is now putting premium on its promising industry: Tourism.

In our recent meeting, Engr. Castañares informed that the soft opening of ZIP Southern Leyte on April 15 is just one of the three “man-made” tourism attractions conceived by them in connection to their vision to ultimately turn the province into “The Playground of Eastern Visayas” by 2013.

The Zip is located at Agas-Agas Bridge, in the village of Kahupian, Sogod (about an hour and a half ride from Tacloban city), and is considered as the “longest, tallest and fastest Zipline in the Visayas”.

Meanwhile, a Provincial Pavillion and recreational facilities for extreme sports like bungee jumping, ATV (all terrain vehicle) and cable cars at Agas-agas will be fully-operational come July 1, in time of Southern Leyte’s 51st anniversary.

Other “man-made” tourism attractions being readied in the province are the construction of a Canopy Walk in Silago’s virgin forest and ZOOLEYTE or Animal and Theme park at Danao Forest Park in Maasin city.

The fourth tourism destination deeply pushed by the province due to its national and international appeal to visitors is the Napantao dive site at Napantao, San Francisco (along Sogod Bay area).

This corner believes that Southern Leyte’s vision to become the first and only “Playground” in Eastern Visayas is attainable by simply focusing on those four above-mentioned tourism attractions.

And this deserves support from everyone in the said locality, province and the region, as this can boost our local tourism and economy—which then benefit everyone.

With the reported setbacks on the province’s abaca and coconut industries, it seems to this corner that tourism is the only “redeeming” factor left for Southern Leyteños.

Thanks to government’s infrastructure support, all major roads and bridges in the province are now cemented and interlinked to each other.

To top it all, the province is insurgency-free and its people are highly-regarded due to their literacy attainment, industry and hospitality.

Interestingly also, hotels, bars, resorts and other similar service facilities are mushrooming in the province, complementing the needs of its visitors in terms of their accommodation and convenience while staying and having fun in the province via the said destinations.

Surely, Southern Leyte and its people can reclaim its long lost glory by re-assessing, reviving and eventually realizing its highly-potential tourism industry. The notion of if-you-built-it-they-will-come via PPP holds truth on this.

And in this Southern part of Eastern Visayas region, the game has just started. (Comments at naldronaldreyes@yahoo.com)

By: Ronald O. Reyes

Post Published: 15 April 2011
Author: Leyte Samar Daily Express (http://leytesamardaily.net/2011/04/go-south-tour-southern-leyte/)
Found in section: Musing Maasin, Opinion

manila_eye

April 19th, 2011, 03:40 PM

^^^ What a long zip line!!!

^^ Manny Pangilinan and Manny Villar are indios, right? they did not express interest in the project, though.
Not even the guys from New San Jose Builders.. :D

Manny P. looks like an indio but he has strong Spanish blood flowing through his veins.

s_w_stars

April 19th, 2011, 03:59 PM

^^^ What a long zip line!!!

Manny P. looks like an indio but he has strong Spanish blood flowing through his veins.

Read somewhere that by 1800's 60% Filipinos were already Spanish mestizos. (Thanks to the prolific friars.) Add to that other racial mixtures, basically most Filipinos are true AZKALS. Even indigenous people's have been diluted.

xxxriainxxx

April 19th, 2011, 05:28 PM

manileño

April 19th, 2011, 07:29 PM

manila_eye

April 19th, 2011, 08:39 PM

Pangilinan doesn't sound spanish to me, certainly not according to Claveria..unless his mother who is a Valdez is spanish? But still, thats not what this Kapampangan wrote in his biography, not what ive read in any of his success stories that all suggested he rose from poverty. :D

According to the movie Rosario (a story written by MVP about his estranged grandmother Rosario Pereira) he has Spanish-Portuguese lineage. The Pereiras' were originally based in Isabela as they owned a hacienda. Rosario Pereira was also a former Carnival Queen.

manileño

April 19th, 2011, 08:54 PM

^^ oh ok.. a movie you say? there's a reason it's called a movie. hehe! jk :D

Rosario is a 2010 drama film directed by Albert Martinez, an official entry to the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival.[1] The story was about Manuel V. Pangilinan's grandmother. The story revolves around Rosario (Jennylyn Mercado), a paragon of beauty and grace, intelligent, sophisticated, a liberal thinker, a young and liberated Filipina in the 1920s who has just arrived from New York, and is spending her vacation in their hacienda.

hmm.. so its true, that makes MVP a mestizo. i guess his mother, a Pereira Valdez is half spanish/portuguese? thanks

manila_eye

April 19th, 2011, 09:11 PM

^^ Actually, I don't get the story that he came from humble beginnings. His father was a former president of Traders Royal Bank and his mother practically grew up in the states.

manileño

April 19th, 2011, 09:45 PM

^^ i have no idea, i just read it from this account that says his father started as a bank messenger and lolo was a public school teacher, he rode the bus and jeepney to school but.. he went to ateneo? ok, this guy's definitely not an indio. :lol:

The first part of my journey begins with my family. My lolo (grandfather) started as a public school teacher in Pampanga and Tarlac, rising through the ranks to become superintendent of public schools and, eventually, secretary of education. My dad began his career as a messenger at Philippine National Bank, and retired as president of Traders Royal Bank, one of the larger banks in the ’80s. During my elementary years, I had ten centavos to buy a bottle of Coke, five centavos for crackers, another ten centavos to take the bus home from San Beda in Mendiola, which I made sure I wouldn’t lose, otherwise I would have walked home. In college, my weekly allowance at the Ateneo was P10, and that included my jeepney fares. I have a lot of classmates who have cars and others even have their own drivers. They were lucky. Someday, I said to myself, I will reach all those. My scholarships in both San Beda and Ateneo were only my lucky charms.

In late 1965, as my own graduation was approaching, I had come home from the Ateneo one Saturday afternoon, and spoke with my dad about taking an MBA in the States. I was met with silence, which meant there wasn’t enough money for an education abroad, that if I really wanted it, I had find a way myself. Fortunately, Procter & Gamble was offering a rare scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. It was a national competition. I entered-and won. For three generations of my family, life meant coping with challenges despite modest means, relying on God-given talent, hard work and a passionate determination to succeed.

http://www.millionaireacts.com/569/manny-pangilinans-success-story.html

Nabartek

April 19th, 2011, 10:46 PM

^^ Maraming tisoy na nagkukunwaring indio, maraming indio na nagkukunwaring tisoy :lol:

s_w_stars

April 20th, 2011, 12:30 AM

Read somewhere that by 1800's 60% Filipinos were already Spanish mestizos. (Thanks to the prolific friars.) Add to that other racial mixtures, basically most Filipinos are true AZKALS. Even indigenous people's have been diluted.

yea maybe, but at the same time you have Narciso Claveria saying it's really just the name, so which one should you believe? :D

The article referenced a Spanish census of the 1800. Being "mestizo" only meant people had "Spanish" in their blood somewhere back in time. It doesn't mean how you look or necessarily carry a Spanish surname. True blue Filipinos (pre hispanic practice) only had one name, they never used last name. For administrative/baptismal records Filipinos thought of all sorts of Spanish surnames, like de Dios, de los Santos, San Juan, Santa Maria etc all the names of the saints in heaven, nothing to do with lineage. The practice of creating one's own apellido was messing up identification and administration. This is what the Claveria edict tried to do by assigning a number of Spanish surnames to be adopted, and passed on. (The practise was carried on also by Chinese immigrants to integrate themselves.)

The only exceptions to the "hispanization" of Filipino surnames are those of Filipino nobility names. No one could borrow or adopt these names except those descended from these Filipino nobilities, e.g. Macapagal, Sumulong (Cory Aquino's mom), Salonga etc.

Just for your information, the minute Legazpi and his men stepped foot on Philippine soil, they immediately got busy. Legazpi married a daughter of Lakandula (I think, had kids), Martin de Goiti (another daughter I think), had a son who became a rebel. Mestizos don't have to look like movie stars, that has something to do with genetics. If you have an ugly foreign ancestor, chances are you might be ugly too. (OR rich and famous. In some countries, being mestizo means you're a 3rd class citizen. It doesn't convey status or privilege.)

Btw., many of the Spanish or mestizo families we think of now, were later arrivals. Like Zobel, Ayala (early 1800s), many of the Chinoys who still are more Chinese than Filipinos (like Tan, etc) came only just before WW2. Even the Cojuangco's were late arrivals (late 1800's) but they got connected right away. One daughter became the querida of a Filipino revolutionary general.

manileño

April 20th, 2011, 04:53 AM

oh yea, i know about that old censo and have read parts of it, "El Anuario Filipino Para el Ano" :)
you're right, the old documents did indicate the exact number and percentage of filipino mestizos, from the the number of chinese to all other europeans living in the country then..

Just for your information, the minute Legazpi and his men stepped foot on Philippine soil, they immediately got busy.

:lol::lol:

Manila-X

April 20th, 2011, 06:18 AM

Are talking about ethnic lineage or tourism?

Bricken Ridge

April 20th, 2011, 07:06 AM

manileño

April 20th, 2011, 07:27 AM

Are talking about ethnic lineage or tourism?

we can do both at the same time, can't we?

Look at these cute ethnic Aetas smiling over the new tourism route in their area courtesy of the Kapampangan midget :D

Lawmaker, guv lead exploration of new route to Mt. Pinatubo

PORAC — Two top government officials led 56 individuals who explored the new 22-kilometer route that gives Pampanga an access to the famous Mt. Pinatubo crater.

Second district Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Governor Lilia Pineda led the opening of a new route to Miyamit Falls, Mt. Pinatubo, and the Porac Highlands.

Pinatubo Memorial Executive Committee (PMEC) chairperson Levy Laus, Mayor Condralito Dela Cruz, Vice Mayor Dexter David, Board members Fritzie David-Dizon and Nestor Tolentino, and members of the Pampanga Off-Roaders Club Inc. (Porci) led by businessman Rene Remero joined the expedition.

Governor Pineda said the route, which has been developed by the Municipal Government of Porac, will become an alternative route for eco-tourism enthusiasts and hikers who would like to see the Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake.

The new route is a 22-kilometer dirt road that spans across barangays Sapang Uwak, Villa Maria and Inararo. The road crosses between ridges and even on top of steep mountain ranges in what could be an ambitious engineering accomplishment. It ends along a camping site on top of a hill that provides a view of Zambales and Tarlac. Mt. Pinatubo would only be a two-hour hike from the drop-off point.

Currently, people wanting to see the crater would take the Capas, Tarlac route via Barangay Patling.

Laus said the new route cuts travel time in half, providing other worthwhile attractions.

The formal opening of the new route will coincide with the June 15 commemoration of the destructive Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, he added.

Vice Mayor David said they have spent months in clearing the road with the help of Aeta guides. He said the road will be made available to tourists once security preparations are in place.

Meanwhile, Dela Cruz is urging the Provincial Government to help in the construction of box culverts along road curves that are frequented by rain water during the rainy season, to minimize possible damage on the road structure.

Adventure Tourism

Romero, an off-road enthusiast, said the new access road still offers a challenge to four-wheel drive racers.

Romero’s group Porci has been the first group to have fully explored the potentials of the Porac Highlands.

Romero said off-road races will now have unlimited access to the other racing areas along Mt. Pinatubo. He added that tourists may also opt to take four-wheel rides to the drop-off point.

Hikers and professional rock climbers, he said, can also find the challenges of climbing Mt. Negron, a mountain within spitting distance of Mt. Pinatubo, as a worthwhile challenge.

“Currently, we are finalizing preparations to ensure the security of the area. There is a plan to set up a local police and army presence there and set up a monitoring system to check the people coming in and out of the tourism zone for safety purposes,” Romero said.

He also said Representative Arroyo plans to set up a community museum and other necessary facilities to facilitate the influx of tourists. The tourist guides, he said, will be Aetas that live within the villages with the tourism area.

Aetas happy

Inararo barangay captain Mary Bulatao said her kinsfolk are happy with the renewed interest of the Provincial Government of Pampanga and the private sector in pushing for livelihood programs for residents here through eco-tourism.

She said the programs will bring in commercial activity in the town and spur economic development.

She also urged the government to further strengthen ancestral domain laws to protect their tribes from lowland people who might take advantage of the tourism development.

Meanwhile, Porac Councilor Mike Tapang said the ongoing creation of the Porac Land Use Plan will usher in long-term development needs for the area.

He said with the plan in place, local officials and the business sector here will be able to effectively address the needs for infrastructure development in the end and address other support services needed by tourists and the local communities.

Under an effective land use plan, Aetas will also be able to effectively manage their ancestral domains in line with the development objectives of the National Government, said Tapang.

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on April 04, 2011.

Kintoy

April 20th, 2011, 08:30 AM

mestizaje = to cross-breed (in Spanish), and it used to be a pejorative label for half-breeds

Bricken Ridge

April 20th, 2011, 09:56 AM

Panglao resorts 'fully booked;' rates have increased by 100%
By Angeline Valencia Updated April 20, 2011 12:00 AM

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Hotels and resorts in Panglao are now fully booked through the Holy Week, with reservations done as early as last January.

Most of the resorts even increased their rates for those booked this week by a difference of P600, while some raised their rates by 100 percent or double the usual amount. They assured though that the usual rates will return by April 25.

The Alona Kew White Beach in Tawala, Panglao, however, imposed the lowest increase and set their room rate at P615 only. It has more foreign guests than Filipinos during Holy Week, with advance bookings placed as early as November last year.

The Bohol Divers Beach Resort, also in Tawala, is among those who maintained their rates even on Holy Week.

According to its front desk officer, Filipinos comprise about 60 percent of their guests, while the rest are foreigners, and advance bookings started since February.

The Dumaluan Beach Resort in barangay Bolod of Panglao also has Filipinos comprising 70 percent of its guests, and only 30 percent are foreigners during the Holy Week.

It had increased its rates but, by the second week of this month, the resort was already fully booked for the April 21 to 23 accommodations.

Other resorts in Panglao confirmed to have more Filipinos than foreign guests during Holy Week every year and they usually raise rates just for the week-long vacation and return to old rates after. Most of the guests are coming in groups, they said.

s_w_stars

April 20th, 2011, 11:40 PM

s_w_stars

April 20th, 2011, 11:43 PM

Are talking about ethnic lineage or tourism?

Just a little entertainment.

There's a buzz in trip advisor regarding Pagcor allowing more casinos in Boracay? Is that true? The feeling is that it will be paradise lost (it's partially lost already.)

There you go back to tourism.

lightning099

April 21st, 2011, 05:09 AM

Aquino irked with piers, bus terminal but NAIA OK
inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — A day after the government rolled out its elaborate preparations for the annual mad rush out of the capital, President Benigno Aquino III Wednesday showed some irritation at what he saw was the “semi-chaotic” execution of Oplan Semana Santa (Oplan Holy Week).

Only the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 passed muster with the President who, with some Cabinet members, made the rounds of airport, bus and shipping terminals Wednesday.

Mr. Aquino was dissatisfied with the preparations undertaken by those in charge of the North Harbor in Manila and the Araneta Center bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City, both of which saw a record number of passengers leaving for the provinces Wednesday.

Wednesday and Thursday of Holy Week are the two days where authorities expect the biggest volume of travelers.

At a briefing on the government contingency plans for Holy Week on Tuesday, Mr. Aquino was assured by police, military, transport and disaster officials that they were prepared for the heavy influx of people traveling all over the country.

‘Happy’ with NAIA

The President made his first stop at North Harbor in Tondo, stopping to look at the place where passengers queue before boarding. He also inspected the terminals where passengers wait for departure time.

Mr. Aquino then proceeded to NAIA Terminal 3 where he inspected the baggage security machines and then proceeded to where passengers were lined up at the check-in counters.

The President’s last stop was Araneta Center bus terminal where passengers waited for the buses.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Aquino said he was “happy” with what he saw at the airport.

“The airport is okay,” he said.

‘Needs improvement’

But he said North Harbor and Araneta Center bus terminal needed improvements insofar as service to passengers was concerned.

Mr. Aquino said he did not want to reveal the “weaknesses” he saw at the pier lest certain parties take advantage of the information. But he said he told Philippine Port Authority (PPA) officials to adopt certain measures that would “raise the quality of service to the people.”

“There were things they already knew for the past two months and yet they did not take any action,” he said.

“I hope nothing happens because you did not take action on this and you should put stopgap measures but you still need to address this soon,” he told PPA officials.

He said he would wait for the PPA to submit a report soon so that when the new school year begins in June, there shall have been changes made.

“I reminded them that they have the responsibility and if something happens because [they] did not do what is needed, then [they] have to deal with the consequences,” Mr. Aquino said.

The President said what he wanted to see was a “change of attitude” among port officials.

Exasperated at Araneta

What he saw at the Araneta Center bus terminal where he said passengers were “packed” was exasperating, said Mr. Aquino.

He cited the need for a “centralized ticketing” system that would allow authorities to channel the flow of people at the terminal.

There was also the need to ensure that “the buses are not blocked when they are being dispatched,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said he had asked Metro Manila Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino to look into the construction of terminals in the North and South Expressways to reduce traffic.

“So we expect better controls, better procedures to be established. But for the immediate [future], these measures should be done so that when school time begins we don’t expect it would be semi-chaotic as what is happening,” the President said.

Caught napping

At least one police official has been relieved as a result of Mr. Aquino’s inspection tour Wednesday.

Director Nicanor Bartolome, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Wednesday ordered the administrative relief of Chief Insp. Efren Pangan, the Luneta police community precinct commander, after the President noticed the absence of tourist police in the area.

The President and his convoy apparently passed by the Rizal Park and saw an empty tourist police outpost.

Bartolome also said at least 22 senior officers from the NCRPO will be detailed to act as area supervisors in the five police districts to inspect police deployments for the duration of Holy Week.

He said he has also ordered the deployment of additional personnel to churches and areas where the traditional “pabasa” is held as more people are expected to converge in these areas.

Barangay patrols

On Friday, the NCRPO will shift the deployment of its people to barangay (village) patrols and reduce the police presence in bus terminals.

“This is to ensure safety and security in communities where many houses are left unattended. Our policemen will coordinate with barangay officials and watchmen for joint patrols in different communities,” Bartolome said.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo Wednesday directed local officials to be extra-vigilant in monitoring seaports across the country as part of the security preparation for Lent.

This measure is meant to prevent the overloading of passenger ships as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to flock to the provinces and the country’s tourist destinations, he said.

Robredo specifically instructed barangay officials to always keep an eye on piers and harbors with no Philippine Coast Guard posts to prevent sea mishaps.

Robredo noted that the Coast Guard has limited resources to implement safety regulations in all commercial harbors in the country and would need the help of local officials.

Control points

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has set up “control points” and police assistance desks in bus terminals, airports, piers, train stations, churches, pilgrimage places and major thoroughfares nationwide.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said a total of 2,222 PNP assistance centers, 917 tourist assistance stations and 1,592 motorists’ assistance desks have been set up since the police went on full alert status on April 16.

He said over 12,000 police personnel were also deployed to secure public transport terminals and churches.

The Philippine Coast Guard has deployed over 104 bomb- and narcotics-sniffing dogs in the country’s major seaports.

Vice Adm. Ramon Liwag, the PCG chief, said the 104 dogs have been deployed to the country’s busiest ports—Manila North and South Harbors, Batangas, Caticlan in Aklan, Matnog in Sorsogon, and the ports of Mindoro, Zamboanga, Davao, Cebu, Marinduque and Romblon—along with 123 handlers. Another 39 canines are on standby.

‘Aspins’

Twenty of the dogs are trained to sniff drugs while 84 were trained in detecting explosives. Among the canines to be deployed were several of the so-called Aspins (Asong Pinoy), or the mongrels trained by the PCG’s K-9 unit.

To ensure the smooth and safe movement of people and vehicles to the provinces, the MMDA has deployed at least 1,900 traffic enforcers to EDSA (Epifanio delos Santos Avenue) and other major thoroughfares and roads leading to and from bus terminals, seaports and the domestic airport.

The MMDA has put up its command posts at the entry points of the North and South Luzon Expressways to regulate queuing of vehicles.

The MMDA said its operations would focus on crucial areas and perennial traffic choke points like Balintawak, McArthur Highway, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Sumulong Highway, Marcos Highway, Coastal Road, Roxas Boulevard, Alabang, Pasay and Cubao, as well as the vicinities of famous churches.

Security guidance

The Armed Forces said it was being extra-vigilant during Holy Week against all perceived security threat groups that may try to disrupt the Lenten season.

In a security guidance issued last week, all military order units were told to intensify monitoring and intelligence operations against traditional threat groups.

Field commanders were also ordered to activate at all levels joint peace and security coordination centers with their counterparts from the PNP to support the latter’s security measures.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said in a statement the military was augmenting the PNP and civilian forces during Holy Week through manpower, intelligence, explosive and ordnance disposal and K-9 capability support. With Tina G. Santos, Marlon Ramos, Jerome Aning, Tina G. Santos and Dona Pazzibugan

xxxriainxxx

April 21st, 2011, 06:26 AM

^^ That's a misleading title. When Noy said NAIA is okay, he is only referring to T3.

richard24

April 21st, 2011, 06:44 AM

May nalimutan ata si Mr. President. Ang Araneta Center Bus Terminal ay privately owned, kaya unless the government is willing to invest in a new central bus terminal, IMO he is in no position to comment on any of the systems there apart from security.

amigo32

April 21st, 2011, 08:21 AM

^^ That's a misleading title. When Noy said NAIA is okay, he is only referring to T3.

Name pa lang kasi okay na eh:D ang airport lang hindi:lol:
:jk:

manileño

April 21st, 2011, 09:17 AM

^^ yea, i too don't like the name. not that i have anything against Aquino, but does it really have to be his nickname?!
for the love of God, why do filipino nicknames like Ninoy become official and even published on banknotes, including this airport?!

Dr. Pepe Rizal, help us! Manoling Quezon! Serging Osmena! :lol:
Have you guys been to "Leo da Vinci" airport in Rome? What about the "Jack Kennedy" one in NY? :lol::bash:

Nabartek

April 21st, 2011, 09:37 AM

^^ But gotta admit NAIA sounds better than BAIA :rofl:

amigo32

April 21st, 2011, 09:43 AM

Kasi namn Manila International Airport na lang kasi:D

Batang_genio

April 21st, 2011, 10:27 AM

^^ But gotta admit NAIA sounds better than BAIA :rofl:

Should be:

Benigno Aquino International Airport Gateway (BAIAG) :lol::lol::lol:

xavierdude

April 21st, 2011, 10:47 AM

Benigno Aquino Jr. INternational Airport: BAJINA

Batang_genio

April 21st, 2011, 10:56 AM

:lol:

BAIAG for Terminal 1
BAJINA for Terminal 2
and Kris Aquino National Terminal for Terminal 3

That will attract a lot of sex tourists into the country. We don't want that, do we? :lol:

Bricken Ridge

April 21st, 2011, 11:03 AM

^^mga manong at manang. semana santa po ngayon at hindi bayag at vagina ang dapat pinaguusapan.:naughty::naughty:

xavierdude

April 21st, 2011, 11:19 AM

^^ Si Father kasi... yung homily kanina eh tungkol pa rin sa RH Bill

xavierdude

April 21st, 2011, 11:22 AM

Kasi namn Manila International Airport na lang kasi:D

MANI

amigo32

April 21st, 2011, 11:36 AM

That's betterer:rofl:

manileño

April 21st, 2011, 11:50 AM

^^ father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. ;)

^^ But gotta admit NAIA sounds better than BAIA :rofl:

actually BAIA sounds fine to me.. it's like the Tagalog pronunciation for the word "via" so whenever someone asks where you're flying from, you say "i'm flying baia-baia." :lol:

xxxriainxxx

April 21st, 2011, 12:58 PM

Tourism Strategy in Vietnam

VN tourism: ad campaigns aim wrong targets, money spent unwisely

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has been trying to advertise the tourism products that travelers do not need. Though Vietnam does not have to spend much money promoting tourism, it has been using money ineffectively, according to Associate Professor Dr Pham Trung Luong, Deputy Head of the Tourism Research and Development Institute.

In a talk with VietNamNet, Luong said that the Vietnam National Tourism Administration (VNAT) is compiling a tourism development strategy for 2020 until 2030. The strategy has six components, including tourism promotion. Especially, Vietnam will focus on building its national brand.

To date, Vietnam has just been trying to advertise the products it has, while it has not paid attention to developing the products travelers need. Vietnam will not follow the same trails and repeat the current mistakes in the future.

There is another thing in the new tourism development strategy is that Vietnam will target closer markets by 2020 instead of markets further away from Vietnam. Travelers always consider travel time needed. Therefore, Vietnam would focus on attracting travelers from near markets, including Northeast Asia and some priority markets. Besides, Vietnam would also try to target European and the US markets.

You have said that Vietnam will focus on building a national brand. What will be Vietnam’s national brand, then?

Since Vietnam’s tourism development strategy aims to developing sea tourism in the time to come, therefore, the national brand will be closely related to that strategy. Sea tourism is really an advantage of Vietnam, because seas are the places which feature most attractive natural resources of the country. Vietnam now has 10 world heritage sites, while 2/3 of which are located on coastal areas, from Ha Long Bay to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Hue ancient capital, Hoi An ancient town. Vietnam’s beaches can compete with any beaches in the world and the region, but the problem is that they have not been well exploited.

Sports tourism will also be a priority. The sailboat festival in Binh Thuan province to be held in mid March will be the first activity to awaken the great potentials of sports tourism in Vietnam.

But in the region, Thailand has also been promoting sea tourism?

Vietnam is in no way inferior to Thailand in terms of the beauty of beaches. Thai sea tourism has reached its highest peak in development and it is entering a period of saturation. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s sea tourism is still developing.

In tourism, new things always attract travelers, new beaches, new friendly people and new landscapes. Meanwhile, Thailand has been rapidly developing over the last 20 years. The beaches like Phuket has become familiar to travelers. Thailand is trying to renew its tourism products. As Vietnam is still in the early stages of development, it has great advantages to develop.

A British travel firm director who has been working in Vietnam for 7-8 years said only five percent of foreign tourists return to Vietnam, while 50 percent of tourists return to Thailand. The problem is that Vietnam has been advertising itself as a country rich in culture. Meanwhile, travelers only need to come one time to learn about culture. Meanwhile, Thailand has been known as a place to entertain and relax. Therefore, travelers want to come to the country at any times they need somewhere to relax. What would you say about that?

He is right. Vietnam has not built up the tourism products attractive enough to persuade travelers to return. Travelers only return if they find tourism products attractive, such as entertainment services. As for resorts, if travelers think the resorts have good healthcare services they will return. But travelers will come only time if they only want to do sightseeing. There are many historical and cultural sites in Vietnam, and travelers only intend to come to see them one time in their lives. There are also many festivals, but travelers will only attend the festivals one time.

You have said that in the past, Vietnam only tried to advertise the things it has, not the things travelers need. Could you please collaborate on this?

In the past, we did not conduct surveys professionally, so we did not realize what the market needed. Therefore, we tried to advertise the products that travelers found uninteresting. Meanwhile, there are many market segments and a wide range of clients: the US travelers do not have the same tastes as South Koreans, while the tastes of elderly people and young people, high income earners and low income earners are not the same.

Most of South Korean travelers are young who like going to noisy places where they can go shopping, while they are not as interested in culture. Meanwhile, most of Japanese travelers are elderly people who have high income. They like quiet places and like going to see cultural sites. Australian travelers like the beach, sports, while they are not as attracted to the cultural sites.

As such, we need to conduct thorough surveys on the targeted markets so as to make reasonable advertisement campaigns.

In a recent survey, a question was posed for travelers: “Through which channels did you know about Vietnam?” 65 percent of polled travelers said they knew about Vietnam through friends and relatives, 33 percent said through mass media, while only 13 percent through the channels on which Vietnam had to spend a lot of money to develop. Vietnam is a poor country, but it sometimes does not effectively use the money it has.

Lan Huong

Source: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/special-report/6755/vn-tourism--ad-campaigns-aim-wrong-targets--money-spent-unwisely.html

Nabartek

April 21st, 2011, 06:42 PM

:lol:

BAIAG for Terminal 1
BAJINA for Terminal 2
and Kris Aquino National Terminal for Terminal 3

That will attract a lot of sex tourists into the country. We don't want that, do we? :lol:

If it brings food on the table for our kababayans and kaban ng bayan, why not? :lol: J/K

Buti nalang hindi Venigno :lol:

habagatcentral1

April 21st, 2011, 06:55 PM

Nabartek

April 21st, 2011, 07:00 PM

^^ Hindi nga, totoo?

Speaking of your second line, one of my classmates in college thought the Philippines was in.....

THE CARIBBEAN :D

Kintoy

April 21st, 2011, 07:21 PM

they should just remind her every single that she's named after a female anatomical part, until she'll change her license plate

isla

April 21st, 2011, 07:22 PM

Im curious how the Malaysians react when Bieber said hello manila. Did they say never say never to him lol

manila_eye

April 21st, 2011, 07:39 PM

^^ so do i. when is bieber coming here? im a closet fan :lol::bash:

wino

April 21st, 2011, 08:47 PM

Nabartek

April 21st, 2011, 08:49 PM

^^ Baka naman may name na "Manila" sa KL? :lol:

manileño

April 21st, 2011, 09:07 PM

Wala lang...
Bieber said "Hello Manila" in his concert at Kuala Lumpur. :lol:

Looks like we need to push aggressive promotion of the Philippines. A lot of Westerners still don't know where the Philippines is exactly located and how does it look like.

huh? i dunno what you mean with that 2nd statement. when you said westerners, did you mean Bieber and crew who mistakenly said Hello Manila in KL? so then, isnt it Malaysia and KL that need aggressive promotion so Bieber knows where he is, a city in Asia other than Manila? :lol:

I bet bad trip si @patchay upon hearing that :lol::lol:

habagatcentral1

April 21st, 2011, 09:23 PM

^^ Urgh, that was supposed to be with an :lol: smiley after it. Mea culpa. :D

manila_eye

April 21st, 2011, 09:23 PM

^^ hala ka baka sumugod naman yun dito kasama ng mga minions nya :lol:

manileño

April 21st, 2011, 09:29 PM

^^ :lol::lol: i dont think he'd do that. diba nga malaysians are not friendly to less competitive countries like PHL? :lol::lol:

amigo32

April 21st, 2011, 11:41 PM

^^ so do i. when is bieber coming here? im a closet fan :lol::bash:

show us some proofs?:rofl:

Ady001

April 22nd, 2011, 01:24 AM

^^ yeah @manila_eye, amigo is already out of the closet, you too! :D

amigo32

April 22nd, 2011, 02:39 AM

^^ yeah @manila_eye, amigo is already out of the closet, you too! :D

Whaaat?

ni minsan hindi ako nagtago sa closet:D ang baho at ang sikip kaya doon:D

sa banga ako nagtago:lol:

manila_eye

April 22nd, 2011, 03:29 AM

show us some proofs?:rofl:

^^ yeah @manila_eye, amigo is already out of the closet, you too! :D

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/3769/biber.jpg

Fraulein

April 22nd, 2011, 03:38 AM

Siquijor urged to promote ‘faith healers’ for tourism
By Aileen Garcia-Yap
Cebu Daily News

TOURISM stakeholders in Siquijor province are encouraged to continue promoting the place as a mystical island during the Holy Week.

Dawnie Roa, former regional director of the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas, said this was a good marketing focus since Siquijor “faith healers” who make their concoctions on Good Friday have long been an attraction for local and foreign tourists.

“I think that they can attract more tourists to come to their place if they try and capitalize on this known aspect of the island. Everyone knows about their faith healers and people are now open-minded enough to appreciate these practices,” she said.

Roa said that during her tenure as DOT regional chief, she noticed that the Holy Week was peak season for Siquijor tourism, especially local visitors.

“It's the one day that they make all these concoctions that they use to heal people. This has been practiced for ages,” she said.

Roa said Siquijor can promote these traditional practices as well as their natural assets.

“Just like Bohol and Cebu, Siquijor is blessed with beautiful beaches,” she said.

Roa said local faith healers can perform a popular healing practice called “Bolo-Bolo” throughout the year to sustain interest.

“Everytime they join the Travel Mart in Manila Siquijor's exhibit is always full of visitors who want to try out the “Bolo-Bolo”. There’s a ritual where they perform something on you and blow on a dish with water. If it becomes becomes murky and slowly becomes clean and clear, it means the person is already healed of his ailments.”

Roa said long lines of visitors in Siquijor’s booth indicate public interest in local healing practices.

“If this can capture the local market, I think this can as well attract foreign tourists who would always love to know about differentcultures,” she said.

Roa said Siquijor still needs to be more accessible as a location. This can be done through direct commercial flights and more connecting trips from Cebu.

“That's my only disapointment during my term because I was not able to help establish a flight to Siquijor from Cebu. At present, I think only Ocean Jet fastcraft goes to Siquijor from Cebu but not on a daily basis. This will need to be improved to also encourage more travellers to go to Siquijor,” she said.

She said an aggressive information campaign also has to correct the wrong perception that Siquijor faith healers are monsters “wak-wak” or practic witchcraft (“mambabarang”).

Nabartek

April 22nd, 2011, 03:58 AM

I don't think that's a good idea. Jun Labo, anyone?

xxxriainxxx

April 22nd, 2011, 04:11 AM

I think Siquijor can capitalise on 'mysticism'. Actually a different edge over other islands in the country.

Nabartek

April 22nd, 2011, 04:22 AM

^^ I'm afraid we're gonna have a lot of "fake healers" :ohno:

xxxriainxxx

April 22nd, 2011, 04:24 AM

^^ I'm afraid we're gonna have a lot of "fake healers" :ohno:

Dont we have already?

Nabartek

April 22nd, 2011, 04:30 AM

^^ That is the problem. Imagine "fake healers" extracting money from unsuspecting foreigners...which will eventually be a damage to the islands' tourism.

noli-kun

April 22nd, 2011, 04:33 AM

I think Siquijor can capitalise on 'mysticism'. Actually a different edge over other islands in the country.
Unique selling point there. Siquijor must really take leverage on that reputation. It can also live up to its local folklore and legends of sorcery and witchcraft, which can be used to boost up its island tourism during Halloween season, where mystery seekers abound.

xxxriainxxx

April 22nd, 2011, 04:37 AM

^^ That is the problem. Imagine "fake healers" extracting money from unsuspecting foreigners...which will eventually be a damage to the islands' tourism.

Think of it more like a cultural presentation rather than actual medicine. Of course, tourists should be given a caveat about such 'treatments'.

Unique selling point there. Siquijor must really take leverage on that reputation. It can also live up to its local folklore and legends of sorcery and witchcraft, which can be used to boost up its island tourism during Halloween season, where mystery seekers abound.

The people from Siquijor doesn't really like the focus on witchcraft but for tourism marketing sense, it is indeed a competitive advantage. That's what gonna set the island apart from others.

Nabartek

April 22nd, 2011, 04:38 AM

^^ They could have a Halloween festival. (could help our garlic and salt production! Hehe) But I'm wary of fake healing as tourism.

noli-kun

April 22nd, 2011, 04:43 AM

^^The faith or 'fake' healing should come with a disclaimer: No approved therapeutic claims. :lol:

Nabartek

April 22nd, 2011, 04:45 AM

^^The faith or 'fake' healing should come with a disclaimer: No approved therapeutic claims. :lol:

Puede! :lol::lol: At least, the locals, when flaked by angry tourists could have this as their defense :lol::lol:

noli-kun

April 22nd, 2011, 05:01 AM

^^I think the foreigners are not that gullible to believe that they will really be healed by the traditional island way of healing, or to put it bluntly, quackery. :lol: But nevertheless, they must still try it just for kicks and for the sake of experience. I still am for 'faith healing' tourism for Siquijor. :lol: :lol:

juniordiscovery

April 22nd, 2011, 01:38 PM

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/215382_215925915085610_100000046086386_908299_6235472_n.jpg

le Reine

April 22nd, 2011, 09:28 PM

This is a very funny travel experience of a Brit in the Philippines:

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rolls/rtw2007/1216285440/tpod.html

Ady001

April 23rd, 2011, 04:20 AM

^^ Funny and honest read I dare say.

Fraulein

April 23rd, 2011, 04:39 AM

^^His trip to the Philippines is amazing and fun. :)

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:10 AM

How About This... Norte naman....
Bolinao Pangasinan
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/BolinaoPatar1.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/BolinaoPatarBeachs.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/BolinaoPatarII.jpg

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:15 AM

Eto pa
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/BolinaoPatarIV.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Treasures1.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/BTreasures.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/18379_101299029900851_100000622635648_35178_6371257_n.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/18379_101298726567548_100000622635648_35166_1274332_n.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/18379_101299033234184_100000622635648_35179_802770_n.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/18379_100992449931509_100000622635648_26332_2074537_n.jpg

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:27 AM

One of the Oldest Churches in the Philippines. Constructed in 1609 with royal emblem of Queen Isabela II of Spain
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/BolinaoChurch.jpg

Also Located The First Mass in 1324?.. accidentally discovered by Italian missionaries.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/BolinaoFirstmass.jpg

The 2nd Tallest Lighthouse
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/CBLH1.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/18379_100993123264775_100000622635648_26350_1698205_n.jpg
The Lost Railway Brigde In Bauang Launion.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/3545985379_0ce60e53bf_z.jpg
Ilocos Sur
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Tower.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/B.jpg
Vigan
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Church.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Vigan.jpg
Provincial Capitol
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Capitol.jpg
Ilocos Norte
Currimao bay
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/3762607876_c747eb10c9_z2.jpg
Imahe sa Bato
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/3761853085_8d39a9bdd7_z1.jpg
Tabacalera Ruins
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/3761751569_9e916b3bff_z.jpg
Minor Lighthouse Old And New
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/76466_162791153751638_100000622635648_353966_1751619_n.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/67444_160978860599534_100000622635648_343763_3036335_n.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/148474_162791167084970_100000622635648_353967_3138252_n.jpg
Tallest Lighthouse Burgos I.N
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/CBLH1-1.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Plaka.jpg
Wind Farm @ Bangui.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Bangui.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/45125_490615589675_569584675_7030933_4515267_n.jpg
Pagudpud
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Arch.jpg
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/beach.jpg
Di lang sa South Ang magaganda ang Tanawin Kundi pati rin ang NORTH...

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:31 AM

Alternative Transportation in Bicolandia The Ex Hokuriko Sleeper Train in Japan.
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/PNR2.jpg

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:32 AM

Coron Palawan
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/CebuPacificCoronBound.jpg

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:33 AM

Sea Urchin
http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/MichaelGeorgeCacho/Maritangtang2.jpg

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:37 AM

From my Fellow Pangasinan Thread Forumers

Brgy Cabungaoan Beach
BURGOS, PANGASINAN
mariequitiquit.multiply.com

http://multiply.com/mu/mariequitiquit/image/2/photos/107/1200x1200/54/54.jpg?et=ZTWUHxeROyWmZ%2BCUlhEa6A&nmid=93509914

http://multiply.com/mu/mariequitiquit/image/2/photos/107/1200x1200/17/17.jpg?et=SmBbvqBRklwdcQgYiakeew&nmid=93509914

http://multiply.com/mu/mariequitiquit/image/2/photos/107/1200x1200/30/30.jpg?et=1PrYAX6SSWV6ofXPr97l7g&nmid=93509914

http://multiply.com/mu/mariequitiquit/image/2/photos/107/1200x1200/48/48.jpg?et=jw4uxqKcWERK3xAdT7OMhw&nmid=93509914

http://multiply.com/mu/mariequitiquit/image/2/photos/107/1200x1200/51/51.jpg?et=RWiy3WOlo2zDSyj4JwjZHA&nmid=93509914

http://multiply.com/mu/mariequitiquit/image/2/photos/107/1200x1200/8/8.jpg?et=BtsnxqifkBm4VjcVhHnk4A&nmid=93509914

http://multiply.com/mu/mariequitiquit/image/2/photos/107/1200x1200/50/50.jpg?et=xNBny0KOy28iewbY9ovY%2Bg&nmid=93509914

http://multiply.com/mu/mariequitiquit/image/2/photos/107/1200x1200/53/53.jpg?et=anONOFHepXQZXrJ4vVaPZQ&nmid=93509914

Exotic Whitesand Beach!!!

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:39 AM

Videos
Resorts & Hotel in Bolinao Pangasinan
http://judydumaran.blogspot.com/

cpqs5z4IW4k

bEXOM-N_J_E

GYD_O1H7B5o

Resorts & Hotel Contact Number

Punta Riviera Beach Resort +(637)56961350
EL Pescador Hotel & Restaurants (075) 554-2559
Treasure of Bolinao Beach Resort
Puerto del Sol Beach Resort +(632)6378963
Villa Carolina +639216983340 or +639273362827
Rock Garden Beach Resort & Restaurants (075) 554-2876 or 09204139272
Coco Beach Resort +639102407698
Dutch Beach Resort
Bing's Beach Resort +639282477501

La Taverna de Orlanda +639218102515
Villa Solidad +639178350654

The way of Transportation going to Bolinao Pangasinan

Five Star Bus Pasay / Cubao to Bolinao vice versa +6328525068
Dagupan Bus Cubao to Bolinao vice versa +6327272330
victory Liner Pasay / Cubao to Bolinao vice versa +6327274688

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:47 AM

From Aliguas
HUNDRED ISLANDS
Alaminos City

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs379.snc3/24255_374267703590_772908590_3685024_1197025_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs379.snc3/24255_374267708590_772908590_3685025_7483904_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs379.snc3/24255_374267713590_772908590_3685026_4050044_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs439.ash1/24255_374267718590_772908590_3685027_2665734_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs439.ash1/24255_374267723590_772908590_3685028_8234479_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs399.snc3/24255_374268473590_772908590_3685041_595437_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs379.snc3/24255_374268493590_772908590_3685045_3505223_n.jpg

^^ :D

photos by Mae Camba (Facebook)

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:49 AM

More Pangasinan Pics pa fr Aliguas

PANGASINAN
I AM PROUD OF MY PROVINCE!
TUNAY NA ME ILALABAN ANG PANGASINAN SA GANDA NG SOUTH

Pangasinan Capitol, Lingayen

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs070.snc3/13749_213948615254_212337275254_4616352_354053_n.jpg

Tondol Beach, Anda
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_297085210254_212337275254_5101034_8007051_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_297086230254_212337275254_5101040_972315_n.jpg

Agno
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs146.snc3/17335_297087575254_212337275254_5101042_7413890_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs179.snc3/20669_328673845254_212337275254_5234357_7338723_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs179.snc3/20669_328674995254_212337275254_5234358_3303133_n.jpg

Bani
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_297092320254_212337275254_5101047_1405618_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs199.snc3/20669_328671250254_212337275254_5234356_684590_n.jpg

Patar Beach, Bolinao
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_297095165254_212337275254_5101055_6891778_n.jpg

Hundred Islands, Alaminos City
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_298729660254_212337275254_5108166_3236045_n.jpg

Burgos
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs126.snc3/17335_298734085254_212337275254_5108170_3167_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_298738865254_212337275254_5108193_3551910_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs126.snc3/17335_298740505254_212337275254_5108235_249355_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_298743000254_212337275254_5108236_1394508_n.jpg

Dasol
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs175.snc3/20235_300420775254_212337275254_5119000_6208211_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs175.snc3/20235_300429335254_212337275254_5119086_8179655_n.jpg

Infanta
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs275.ash1/20235_303217880254_212337275254_5130979_2567438_n.jpg

Cabalitian Island, Sual
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs275.ash1/20235_303233655254_212337275254_5131005_743418_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs275.ash1/20235_303235880254_212337275254_5131007_2086894_n.jpg

Sual Power Plant
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs152.ash2/40952_457026230254_212337275254_6800429_4732279_n.jpg

source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Province-of-Pangasinan/212337275254
^^ Province of Pangasinan Fanpage

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:52 AM

PANGASINAN! Future Tourism Haven

PANGASINAN
I AM PROUD OF MY PROVINCE!

Pangasinan Capitol, Lingayen

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs070.snc3/13749_213948615254_212337275254_4616352_354053_n.jpg

Tondol Beach, Anda
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_297085210254_212337275254_5101034_8007051_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_297086230254_212337275254_5101040_972315_n.jpg

Agno
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs146.snc3/17335_297087575254_212337275254_5101042_7413890_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs179.snc3/20669_328673845254_212337275254_5234357_7338723_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs179.snc3/20669_328674995254_212337275254_5234358_3303133_n.jpg

Bani
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_297092320254_212337275254_5101047_1405618_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs199.snc3/20669_328671250254_212337275254_5234356_684590_n.jpg

Patar Beach, Bolinao
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_297095165254_212337275254_5101055_6891778_n.jpg

Hundred Islands, Alaminos City
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_298729660254_212337275254_5108166_3236045_n.jpg

Burgos
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs126.snc3/17335_298734085254_212337275254_5108170_3167_n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_298738865254_212337275254_5108193_3551910_n.jpg
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs126.snc3/17335_298740505254_212337275254_5108235_249355_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs246.ash1/17335_298743000254_212337275254_5108236_1394508_n.jpg

Dasol
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs175.snc3/20235_300420775254_212337275254_5119000_6208211_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs175.snc3/20235_300429335254_212337275254_5119086_8179655_n.jpg

Infanta
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs275.ash1/20235_303217880254_212337275254_5130979_2567438_n.jpg

Cabalitian Island, Sual
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs275.ash1/20235_303233655254_212337275254_5131005_743418_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs275.ash1/20235_303235880254_212337275254_5131007_2086894_n.jpg

Sual Power Plant
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs152.ash2/40952_457026230254_212337275254_6800429_4732279_n.jpg

source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Province-of-Pangasinan/212337275254
^^ Province of Pangasinan Fanpage

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:52 AM

Pangasinan Next Tourism Haven!
http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac251/okalim/hundred-islands-in-pangasinan11-1.jpg

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:53 AM

Old Churches..

http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac251/okalim/bayambang-2-1.jpg

915bungohunter

April 23rd, 2011, 06:55 AM

Eco Tourism Places

Ecotourism attractions in Pangasinan October 10th, 2010 | Author: Tarabitab

The province of Pangasinan is endowed with ecotourism spots. But what is ecotourism? Other tourist attractions in Pangasinan and in Ilocos are classified as natural,historical and man-made.

The term ecotourism was defined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) in a joint-memorandum, Guide Laws for Ecotourism Development in the Philippines. It was defined as “A low-impact, environmentally-sound and community-participatory tourism activity in a given natural environment that enhances the the conservation of biophysical understanding and education and yields socio-economic benefits to the concerned community.”

Here is a quick glance at three (3) ecotourism spots in the province.
http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac251/okalim/balingasayjpg2.jpg
Balingasay River (Brgy. Balingasay, Bolinao)
Balingasay River is popularly known as the cleanest river in the Ilocos-Pangasinan Region. Adjudged as such twice by the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran for inland bodies of water, Balingasay River is a recipient of the highly prestigious Wetlands Conservation Award in 1994. What you see as you sail along the river are century old and new growth mangrove stands, stretches of attap palms for nipa huts roofing, balete trees hanging into the water, and different species of birds making their home on the top of the trees along the Balingasay.
http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac251/okalim/cave.jpg

Cacupangan Cave (Cacupangan,Mabini, Pangasinan)
Cacupangan Cave is located in Cacupangan, Mabini, Pangasinan. The cave is approximately 5 kilometers away from the highway thru the Cemetery Road in Mabini. Its underground river flows into the Balincaguing River. Exploring the cave and its vicinity is recommended during the dry season. This is really a wonderful place to explore. What you see are stalactites and stalagmites. You can also take a bath outside the cave and enjoy the Water falls.
http://i905.photobucket.com/albums/ac251/okalim/cave2.jpg

Villacorta Cave (Brgy. Villacorta, Infanta)
Villacorta Cave is 200 meters long, 20 meters high and 20 meters wide. It is accessible by means of a 200 m. foot trail in Brgy. Villacorta from a roadway 7 km. from the highway. Its features include huge basin-like formations, rimstone pools, waterfalls, terraced rock, palace-like chamber and exceptional gypsum flowers. Though not fully accessible this cave is as impressive as the Cacupangan Cave in Mabini Pangasinan.http://http://www.tarabitab.com/tag/balingasay-river/

Posted in Blog, Travel & Destination | Tags: Balingasay River, Bolinao tourist attraction, Bolinao tourist spot Mabini tourist attraction, Cacupangan Cave, Ilocos destination, ilocos destinations, Ilocos Ecotourism attractions, Ilocos tourist spots, Infanta tourist attraction, Infanta tourist spot, Mabini tourist spot, Pangasinan ecotourism attractions, Pangasinan tourist spots,