This might not be the typical expat blog, written by a German expat, living in the Philippines since 1999. It's different. In English and in German. Check it out! Enjoy reading!
Dies mag' nun wirklich nicht der typische Auswandererblog eines Deutschen auf den Philippinen sein. Er soll etwas anders sein. In Englisch und in Deutsch! Viel Spass beim Lesen!
You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?
There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!
Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!
Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!
2023 proved to be a remarkable year for Philippine tourism, surpassing the target international visitor arrivals and reaching the five-million mark before year-end.
Under the leadership of the Department of Tourism, the country earned numerous accolades from prestigious travel institutions, including the World Travel Awards 2023 (WTA) held at Burj Al Arab in Dubai, UAE, in December.
The Philippines was honored with the inaugural Global Tourism Resilience Award, acknowledging the country's demonstration of “global leadership, pioneering vision, and innovation to overcome critical challenges and adversity.” Being one of just five countries acknowledged for this award, the Philippines sets the standard for best practices in tourism resilience.
(Background photo from Epik)
In addition to this significant recognition, the Philippines was once again honored as the World's Leading Dive Destination, World's Leading Beach Destination, and World's Leading City Destination for Manila City.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed joy over these accolades, stating, “We are elated and grateful that Philippine tourism continues to soar to global prominence with tourists declaring their love for the Philippines as the undisputed World’s Leading Beach Destination and World’s Leading Dive Destination, and now World’s Leading City Destination, Manila.”
Frasco continued, “Receiving the Global Tourism Resilience Award is also especially meaningful as this is an affirmation of all the hard work done in the past year to strengthen the pillars of tourism development through convergence and collaboration towards the tourism transformation envisioned by our President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. These accolades are as much a source of Filipino pride as they are a testament to the enormous contribution of tourism to the Philippine economy and global standing.”
Hailing from Turin, Italy, a historic city renowned for its architecture and cuisine, Chef Andrea Spagoni embarked on his culinary odyssey in the most authentic of settings: his grandmother's traditional Piedmontese kitchen. Piedmont, the birthplace of Italy's slow food movement, instilled in him a deep appreciation for soul-nourishing food. Alongside his family's time-honored culinary traditions, he nurtured a profound love for genuine Italian cuisine from a tender age.
Chef Andrea Spagoni
Today, as the visionary chef at Finestra, Chef Spagoni infuses each dish with an unwavering commitment to authentic Italian flavors. Emulating his grandmother's dedication to the craft, he meticulously tends to every detail in the kitchen, from perfecting sauces to hand-selecting each ingredient. This devotion not only defines his culinary style at Finestra but also resonates with the restaurant's patrons, bringing forth the true essence of Italian cuisine.
Despite the challenge of sourcing authentic Italian ingredients from abroad, Chef Spagoni demonstrates pure culinary creativity by devising ingenious solutions in the kitchen. In true slow food movement fashion, he passionately seeks out local, high-quality ingredients that capture the bold flavors of his Italian creations. This approach allows Chef Spagoni to reimagine and adapt traditional Italian dishes for a global audience.
A testament to his innovation, Chef Spagoni strikes a harmonious balance between authenticity and localization, delighting all who taste his dishes. His menu at Finestra showcases robust Italian flavors ingeniously tailored to suit his local clientele. This commitment to his craft shines through, as he continually pushes the boundaries of culinary expertise and strives for innovation to deliver the finest Italian cuisine.
Oysters on Ice, Branzino, Signature Gelato
Notable dishes from Chef Spagoni’s menu include the Tonno Crudo (bluefin tuna belly tartare), Zuppa D’Aragosta (Australian rock lobster bisque), and Branzino (Mediterranean sea bass). Calamarata, Grilled Tiger Prawns, Oysters on Ice, and Signature Gelato are also must-try offerings.
Chef Spagoni's culinary journey has taken him around the world, leading him through the vibrant kitchens of London, Florence, Turin, Hong Kong, and New York. Each of these cities has profoundly influenced his cooking style, and his encounters with diverse food cultures have played a pivotal role in shaping his distinctive culinary philosophy. His remarkable skills have earned him esteemed Michelin stars, acknowledging his unparalleled contributions to the culinary world.
These influences come together to offer patrons of Finestra a culinary spectacle with every bite, transcending borders and cultures. Chef Spagoni doesn't just cook; he narrates a story through his food, weaving various inspirations into a tapestry of authenticity and a deep love for the flavors that have shaped his life.
Whether you're a local diner or a traveler in search of a taste of Italy, a gastronomic feast at Finestra is more than just a dining experience—it's a celebration of Chef Spagoni's culinary journey. It's a journey that brings the world to your plate while remaining true to its Italian roots.
DOT Secretary Christina Frasco with Philtoa President Fe Abling-Yu
The Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) recently hosted its 4th General Membership Meeting at the Crimson Hotel Filinvest City in Muntinlupa, with the Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco as keynote speaker. Led by Philtoa President Fe Abling-Yu, the meeting also highlighted Bacolod City as the featured destination, with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez in attendance.
Secretary Frasco commended Philtoa for its unwavering commitment to revitalizing Philippine tourism, highlighting the association’s promotion of inclusive tourism development in both established and emerging destinations.
"We recognize that there are several emerging destinations across the country that, if given the right assistance, attention, development, and promotion, have the potential to become key destinations, as far as tourism is concerned,” the tourism chief said. “This is why I'm very grateful to Philtoa, because their focus has not been our world-famous destinations alone, but also in giving opportunities to emerging destinations. This is reflective of true shared tourism governance, where the private sector mobilizes the industry to assist the government to ensure inclusive tourism development."
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez
With this, Bacolod City also took center stage at the 4th GMM as a growing "super city" with exciting advancements in tourism, including infrastructure, art, culture, and culinary experiences. Mayor Benitez highlighted upcoming projects such as the Bacolod Convention Center, which can accommodate up to 10,000 people for MICE events; the Bacolod Masskara Museum/Trade Center; and the Orange Project, a prominent art gallery. The renowned Masskara Festival, spanning three weeks, promises a vibrant celebration of sports, food, spirits, and festivities.
To further underscore its commitment to fostering partnerships and growth within the industry, Philtoa President Abling-Yu announced the upcoming 34th Philippine Travel Mart, scheduled from Sept. 1 to 3 at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.
She stated: "We are grateful for the strong partnerships with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Philippine Airlines, BPI, and our media partners. The 34th Philippine Travel Mart is not only a showcase of our country's incredible destinations but also a celebration of our industry's resilience and strength as a major contributor to the country’s growth and progress.”
The association also welcomed 10 new tour operators, an immigration services agency, and 15 hotel and resort properties, increasing the total membership to over 500.
These additions include Big Golden Furby International Travel and Tours, Inc.; BNG Travel and Tours Services, Inc.; ETravel Zone; ETravelPH Events Management Services; Festive Travel and Tours Services; Godspeed Travel & Tours Corp.; Group Tours Specialists, Inc.; Jimwell Travel and Tours; Landsair Tours and Travel Corp., Mariaynah Travel and Tour; MFly Travel and Tours; RIOR Wanders Travel and Tours; Tobi's Travel & Tour Services, Inc.; Travel Enterprise Corporation; Walk the Planet, Inc; Alpha Suites Makati; Ambassador in Paradise Resort Corporation; Best Western Plus Metro Clark; City Garden Grand Hotel; Discovery Samal; Holiday Suites; Red Hotel, Inc.; Richmonde Hotel Iloilo; Sol y Viento Mountain Hot Spring Resort, Inc.; Timberland Highlands Resort; and ACN Southern Immigration and Educational Services.
As the tourism industry rebounds post-pandemic, Chroma Hospitality Group Vice President Carmela Bocanegra encouraged Philtoa members to capitalize on the opportunity for a strong comeback. “Make 2023 the time of the great comeback,” Bocanegra said.
Secretary Frasco echoed this sentiment, inviting Philtoa to continue showcasing and enhancing the best of the Philippines' destinations. She emphasized that loving the Philippines involves introducing innovative solutions aligned with global tourism trends and localizing that love within specific destinations.
"To love the Philippines is to highlight our love of country, our pride of place, our love for each other, and is a reminder and a call to action," said Frasco. "To love the Philippines... is to try to understand what we can do to introduce difficult but helpful solutions or programs that have never been done before, but are being implemented now in response to global tourism trends. To love the Philippines is to localize this love in your specific destinations."
