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Cocktail Party

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Manggahan Festival

Manggahan festival held in Guimaras

Now in its 16th year, the Manggahan Festival (or Mango Festival) was held on Monday in Guimaras Island which is known for producing the sweetest mangoes in the country.

To mark the celebrations, an agri-trade fair was held in the island. The fair featured local products that serve as alternative livelihood for residents after mango harvest seasons. These include bags, caps, and other household materials which are made with an indigenous material called alibhon.

Dominic Abad, Department of Trade and Industry regional director, said community-based local tourism through indigenous products would help alleviate the financial straits of Guimaras residents. He added that their ability to make beautiful and useful crafts out of local materials is proof of their talent and ingenuity.

At present, there are at least 70,000 mango trees in the province, enough to supply mango fruits to other parts of the world like Australia and the United States.

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Taiwanese celebrity chooses Bora for Wedding celebration

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano says, “We continue to highlight the country’s position as a desired location for weddings, and this helps boost our specialized segments, also benefiting local businesses, generating income from a constantly flourishing market.”

He adds, “People will not hesitate to invest their resources in the one of the most important events of their lives, also expecting nothing less but the most romantic, most memorable, top-notch location. The Philippines offers that and more.”

Some 50 Taiwanese tourists including the family and relatives of Fish and Tony flew all the way from Canada and Taipei to Boracay to witness the wedding rites in Discovery Shores. The event was also attended by some Taiwanese media from leading newspapers in Taiwan including the Singapore-based Vogue Magazine.

Fish Leong, also known as Leong Chui Pen, is a sought-after music artist in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, with all her albums landing the bestseller list in the East Asia region.

“For about a year Tony and I have been traveling from one country to another and have seen a lot of amazing places, breathtaking views and serene beaches, met a lot of people and covered a lot of destination weddings, but it is the beach that is the closest to our hearts,” she said.

She shared when asked about their choice for a wedding destination, “We didn’t have a hard time choosing. Both of us agreed, ‘Where else but in the beautiful island of Boracay, Philippines’? It is indeed the most perfect place to tie the knot. There is something about the island that makes everyone feel at home.”

The solemn wedding rites facing the beautiful sunset of Boracay was proceeded by an intimate reception at a wedding tent in front of Discovery Shores, especially customized for the affair.

Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr., who heads DOT Planning and Promotions, said, “Our facilities, venues, event planners and organizers, are all ready to welcome those who will celebrate this momentous occasion. We aim to further tap this niche market through offering more programs and packages through our partners.”

World-class entertainment for the guests at the reception was given by Iloilo’s pride, the Gerry Gray Jazz Band, which played the couple’s favorite romantic songs. The simple yet elegant wedding rite has attracted several onlookers and foreign tourists to the resorts to feel the romantic ambience in the beach front.

According to Amanda Tirol, an expert in planning beach destination weddings, the average number (of beach weddings) in Boracay is 200 per year, which includes small to big weddings. Majority of the foreign clients come from Australia, the US, Singapore and Hong Kong and also quite a number from Europe.

She said, “The best time for a beach wedding in Boracay is from January up to the middle of May because of the cool northeast wind or the so-called amihan season,” acterized by moderate temperatures with little or no rainfall and a prevailing wind from the east.

Boracay has become a popular beach wedding destination for both local and foreign couples because of its accessibility and value-for-money packages. Direct flights from Taipei to Kalibo by Philippine Airlines and China Airlines continue to boost tourist activity in the island, as well as Manila-Caticlan flights via SEAIR, Asian Spirit and Cebu Pacific.

Numerous activity choices in Boracay like water sports, snorkeling, shopping, spa and wellness retreats, and beach parties, also include the list of top draw cards to the area.


-Source (http://goodnewspilipinas.com/?p=10859)

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Exploring Sagada On A Shoe-String Budget

Urban dwellers would normally prefer to rove around the metropolis and explore every side-street in search for ideal refuge, more than traveling to remote provinces. However, there are more than 7,000 reasons to explore the parameters of this archipelago, taking into account its profuse land and marine resources and myriad sanctuaries.

Among the many interesting regions in the Philippines is the mountainous terrain and savanna in northern Luzon as inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Part of this region is Sagada. With a measly P2,500, a determined explorer can take a fulfilling jaunt to Sagada—a serene mountain community in Mt. Province. The adventurous travelers would customarily take the 10-hour bus ride from Manila to Banaue, Ifugao (via Solano, Nueva Ecija route) that costs not more than P300.

In Banaue, travelers have the option to take the day off and trek along the well-engineered Banaur Rice Terraces or take a jeepney ride to Bontoc and from there, one can catch a bus ride to a more tranquil region, Sagada in Mt. Province.

Sagada has economical lodging houses and hotels to spend the night over. For as low as P200, a traveler can avail of a bedroom for two and a well-scrubbed common bathroom with sufficient amount of water—for an overnight abode. Even though electricity and water are accessible in these highland regions, one of the guidelines in immersing to remote areas is not to expect for urban amenities.

However, the lack of adequate necessities is not an hindrance to any devoted backpacker. Indeed, the remarkable view of the mountains, sight of abundant natural resources, and exposure to mountain community are enough reasons to enjoy the trip.

Trekking along the narrow mountain trails of Batad and Bangaan Villages in Banaue is one of the many leisure options where panoramic views of the terraces can be enjoyed. To keep track of the trail, a number of villagers can be hired for hours as tour guides.

The trip is truly breathtaking and for an amateur trekker, the long hours of walk should not impede them to reach the other side of the trail. There are a number of brooks along the curvy mountain range that are guaranteed to quench one’s thirst during the hours of hike. Meanwhile, the awe-inspiring endpoint is an antidote to muscle pain.

Batad is comparable to realizing the pot of gold at the other end of the rainbow. It boasts of scenic and unspoiled layers of rice fields forming a colossal amphitheater, where native Ifugaos mostly dwell. The terraces is still a functional source of livelihood and personal sustenance for Ifugaos, except for some where irrigation systems have been destroyed through seepage, landslides, prolonged drought, erosion, and other inevitable natural calamities.

About The Author

John Grant has been living in the Philippines for 5 years and has travelled the country extensively. His online Philippines Travel
Guide http://www.netguard.dkcovers major destinations like Boracay, Sagadahttp://www.netguard.dk/luzon/sagada/ Puerto Galera and Palawan.

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Geo-Estate gains ground with The Beacon Makat

Geo-Estate gains ground with The Beacon Makati

Podium level of The Beacon’s Arnaiz Tower.

MANILA, Philippines – Geo-Estate Development Corp.’s maiden venture, The Beacon Makati, is now taking shape amidst more than 10,000 sqm of prime land on the corner of Chino Roces (formerly Pasong Tamo) and Arnaiz (formerly Pasay Road) Avenue. Recently, Geo-Estate president and COO Miriam O. Katigbak expressed confidence that the project will emerge as the only condo development of its kind in the area with a distinguishable and unparalleled “residential resort” theme.

 

This pronouncement is related to the impending turnover of the first building, Roces Tower, by the middle to the third quarter of 2011. Now in its finishing stages, construction is deemed right on track.

 

“We started construction of Roces Tower in the middle of 2008 and this 42-story structure is now set for completion soon. For the second phase which is Arnaiz Tower, we started construction in August this year and it is scheduled for turnover in 2013. Amorsolo or Tower 3 is presently in its planning stages and will be launched soon,” Katigbak said.

 

With sales averaging well across the market segments, Katigbak said that the industry has started to take notice of Geo-Estate as a formidable developer even if it is a young company.

 

“The ones who head the company come from different companies and fields within the real estate industry, and so we bring in a lot of views that I believe is important, to give the public a fresh product,” she added.

 

The unit mix of Roces Tower suits the profile of unit buyers of the project: studio for single, young professionals working in Makati or the immediate vicinity, one-bedroom for newlyweds or those hoping to get married, and two- to three-bedrooms for families with children.

 

“Many of them work in Makati but are living elsewhere, so moving to there is a way of being more located conveniently near their workplace, as well as transportation around the CBD. We are lucky to get this intersection because it is within the Makati CBD, and this corner is convenient for public transport, jeeps and taxis.

 

The location also gives proximity to convenience stores, a major grocery chain, and even a major shopping complex where residents can go to for leisure and recreation. But if they wish to stay at home, there will be plenty of activities to enjoy because of the residential resort amenities, Katigbak noted.

 

“The positioning of the project was clear to us, and the residential resort was just a frame that captured the concept that we wanted. Because the smallest unit is sized at 21 sqm, we see that as a rather tight unit, so the idea is to provide the residents with a good set of indoor and outdoor amenities. This means you don’t get cooped up in your own unit because you can go out and enjoy all these open spaces. We are proud to say that we probably have the most number of amenities among the residential towers of Makati.

 

We have a large swimming pool which has a 450-sqm long lap pool, toddler pool, kiddie pool, 300-meter jogging path, indoor and outdoor play areas, a bi-level gym, a spa area, a clinic and function rooms.”

 

Arnaiz Tower meanwhile will host the sixth level podium that will contain the most number of the indoor and outdoor amenities. Aside from these, it will have a Sky Lounge on the topmost level that will provide access to city views.

 

Despite all these advantages, prices of units at The Beacon are still very competitive with the middle market products, she said. Unit finishes are also much better in quality, even when compared to products with the same price points.

 

With The Beacon still the only product in their portfolio, Katigbak noted that the company wants to take the time to create a development that Geo-Estate can be truly proud of.

 

They are however intent on launching a new project by next year, still under the middle market segment.


Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/290367/geoestate-gains-ground-with-the-beacon-makati

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Mt. Pulag open to hikers

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Palawan seeks tourism boost

It’s new governor, Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra, son of the late former House Speaker Ramon V. Mitra Jr., puts tourism industry as one of its priorities on his HEAT (Health, Education, Agriculture and Tourism) Program.

”Tourism is an important lifeblood of Palawan’s economy, without which, the province would have suffered an internal hemorrhage,” Gov. Mitra said.

The governor considers tourism as an income generating venture that should be continuously honed according to internationally acceptable standards.

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim and Undersecretary Vicente Romano III were in Puerto Princesa City earlier this week to conduct a planning workshop to update the Department of Tourism (DOT) overseas officers in the marketing and promotion directions of Philippine tourism on which Palawan is again given a chance to showcase its majestic attractions to the world.

”We are blessed with somebody like Sec. Lim at the helm of the industry. He knows Palawan very well,” Mitra said.

Sec. Lim is a Palawan tourism veteran having served as long-time president of Ten Knots Corporation, an operator of world-class resorts in northern Palawan until 2006. He also founded Palawan Tourism Council and became its first president.

He also established El Nido Foundation which was responsible for the El Nido Protected Area Management Board that helps people in communities improve their way of living.

On June 29, 2010, President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III picked him as his Secretary for Tourism.

”You see, the secretary knows Palawan by heart,” Mitra added.

To provide a reliable supply of energy, the provincial government has just concluded the first Palawan Energy Summit where short and long term solutions to the energy problems of the province were identified.

Pinpointed possible solutions are the use of renewable energy sources such as sun, wind and water. The use of coal fired generators and gas condensates are also being studied upon by energy experts.

The provincial government is seeking the assistance of Pres. Aquino on its local energy problem since 40% of Luzon’s energy supply comes from Palawan through the natural gas provided by the Camago-Malampaya Gas Reservoir in El Nido, Palawan.

Aside from these, the energy summit produced a resolution endorsing the Capital Expenditure Plan of Palawan Electric Cooperative (PALECO) to the Energy Regulatory Commission, and easement to undertake rehabilitation and on-going National Power Corporation transmission project to Roxas municipality.

It also bid out PALECO for additional power generating capacity in December 2010.

NPC President Froilan Tampingco appreciated the initiatives of Mitra in holding the summit.

”We can use the results of the activity as reference on our future programs for the province,” Tampingco said.

Mitra reported that they had just completed the 2011 Provincial Development Plan for Palawan that would likewise strengthen and help increase tourist arrival.

”We have just finished our annual provincial planning and development workshop. It was the culmination of the zonal planning workshop wherein the comprehensive development approach is based on the zone’s strengths, potentials and opportunities,” the young governor said.

Participatory and consultative democracy in planning that was implemented prior to the workshop was conducted with the active and direct participation of the local government units in the province as represented by the municipal planning and development officers who by the very nature of their work are the ones who can really identify the priority plans and programs in their locality, Mitra added.

With the help of DOT, there had been created a tourism master plan for both southern Palawan and northern Palawan areas.

Northern Palawan is classified as a purely tourism destination while the southern part of the province is considered as an agri-ecotourism district.

The master plans guide the tourism developments in the municipalities.

On the pipeline is the creation of the Palawan Investment Promotion Center which shall cater to and market investments in the province particularly the tourism investments which Mitra believes shall ultimately redound to a healthier economy and more jobs for the Palaweños.

”During my previous terms as Palawan’s second district congressman, I have been pushing to declare Palawan as the eco-tourism capital of the Philippines, though there are also some provinces continuously contending for the title. However, we still consider Palawan to be the best above the rest because we are the last ecological frontier of the country,” Mitra said.

Palawan is the country’s last frontier because it is the last unsettled area in the whole archipelago. Several islands remained uninhabited and unexplored.

It serves as undisturbed sanctuary of various marine and terrestrial animals which makes Palawan as the biggest natural wildlife reservation area in the country.

Among its top tourist destinations are the Tubbataha Reef, Puerto Princesa Underground River, El Nido Marine Reserve, Tabon Cave, Coron beaches and the Amanpulo Resort.

The province offers an array of activities such as island hopping, snorkeling, scuba diving and swimming.

”When in Palawan, take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints, bring nothing but memories and kill nothing but time,” Mitra said. (PNA) 
DCT/Lyle B. Coruña/mec

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All set for 2010 Dinagyang Festival

All set for 2010 Dinagyang Festival

 

Beat the drums and make way for the 2010 Dinagyang Festival celebration!

The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI), tasked by city mayor Jerry P. Treñas to prepare the most acclaimed local festival of festivals in Western Visayas, will once again lay the ground works for the festival celebrated last weekend of January every year in honor of the city’s patron saint Senior Sto Niño.

Iloilo Dinagyang Festival

Dinagyang Tribes committee chair Dr. Jaime Manila said there will be a total of 16 Dinagyang tribes to vie for honors. Dr. Eden Deriada, chair of the Kasadyahan Tribes committee disclosed that there will be 9 groups to vie in the mardi gras contest.

IDFI chairman Lee Chuan admitted that although next year’s celebration will have a moderate budget but this will not sacrifice the quality of performance to showcase the best practices of Ilonggo culture and tradition.

Lee Chuan said he is turning 80 years old next year and is about time to transfer the leadership of leading the festival to a younger and dedicated volunteer. Chuan also added that next year’s Dinagyang festival will be a much grander celebration considering that it is also the last term of city mayor Jerry P. Treñas in providing city support to Dinagyang.

The city government is allotting P5 million as financial support to the festival in 2010. However, financial support from telecommunication and other companies may not be as big as of the previous year due to global financial crisis, Lee Chuan said.

IDFI President Ricardo Andrada said the 2010 celebration is a thanksgiving festival in acknowledging that Dinagyang is already in the Hall of Fame as the best tourism attraction in the country for three consecutive years.

The traditional “pamukaw” will be held on December 18 to jumpstart the Dinagyang fever. Expected to participate are the registered Dinagyang tribes namely Tribu Molave, Ilonganon, Aninipay, Atub-Atub, Pag-asa, Bantu, Salognon, Himal-us, Panagat, Paghidaet, Milagrosa, Silak, Bola-Bola, Pana-ad, Pan-ay and Angola.

On the other hand, nine Kasadyahan groups registered to participate with an open theme. Only one group from the city, the Mandurriao National High School will participate and the rest will come from the municipal contingents namely Tribu Pantat of the municipality of Zarraga, Tribu Tangyan of Igbaras, Tribu Tambubu of Ajuy, Tribu Tubong-Tubong of Tubungan, Tribu Pandayan of Badiangan, Tribu Tinuom of Cabatuan, Triby Kasag of Banate and Tribu Gimanban of New Lucena, all in the province of Iloilo.

By Lydia C. Pendon

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