Boracay's final day sees ...

... mad rush to sell food, souvenirs

One more swim marks sentimental good-bye to the Philippine island’s talc beaches

Published: 22:08 April 25, 2018

Barbara Mae Dacanay, Correspondent

 

Manila: Restaurants and stores rushed to sell food and souvenir items. Tourists dipped for the last time into the blue sea. Others griped about the presence of Coast Guard vessels, Navy Seals, and police.

Boracay — its unforgettable white and talc-like beach drew two million tourists into central Philippines in 2017 — would be closed for environment rehabilitation for six months starting April 26.

“All I wanna say (about Boracay) stuck in my damn throat,” journalist and nature lover Teddy Montelibano said on his Facebook account.

In reaction to a well-guarded Boracay on the eve of its closure, lawyer Pilo Hilbay complained on Facebook: “The government acts as if they (tourists, local residents, business owners and resort workers) are the enemies.”

“We’ve been selling food at a discount before closing shop,” fast food worker Paula Padalhin told ABS-CBN, a TV network.

“Before Boracay’s closure, we cooked only six kilos of meat per day. In better times, we would cook 60 kilos of meat a day. We stopped serving expensive steaks and ribs. We just served Filipino food like sinigang (fish in sour soup); adobo (meat in vinegar and soy sauce); and sisig (sautéed pig head and liver with lemon and chili) — to finish our stock and recover losses,” Ronald Marquez, supervisor of Willy’s Rock Bar, said on TV.

“Before Boracay’s last day, beers and soft drinks were sold by volumes, if not given away, to staff members,” Marquez said.

“Boracay shirts were sold at 100 pesos (Dh7) each, from a 300-peso price tag. Tourists took home keepsakes before they said good-bye to Boracay.” Franco Dacillo of Island Souvenirs also said on TV.

“We are not saying goodbye. We are preparing for the new phase of Boracay. We are compliant, we are not worried,” Shirley Parcon, manager of Casa Pilar, told Gulf News in a phone interview. The 82-room boutique hotel on a one-hectare lot on Boracay’s Station Three — owned by former mayor Jose Yap, who served from 2010 to 2016 — would be vacant for six months.

“I’m happy. Our identification cards would allow residents to swim in Boracay while it’s totally closed to tourists,” Alina Sarvaez told Gulf News. She did not mind complaints about alleged fraud in the issuance of IDs.

“Boracay’s closure will mean loss of 1.96 billion pesos in six months. It will not affect the country’s GDP,” socio-economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said to allay fears.

But One Boracay, a group of stakeholders, calculated that 56 billion pesos in tourism revenues would be lost due to the tourist ban.

The government has released 2 billion pesos for salaries of 19,000 displaced resort workers, who will be hired to dismantle structures built on creeks, forest, watersheds and wetland areas, near and over the beach. “They will help solve Boracay’s two problems: flooding and environment degradation,” said Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu,

In February, Cimatu discussed with the Ayala Group, owner of Manila Water Company and its subsidiary, the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc. (a water concessionaire), to expand the latter’s waste water treatment services and solve Boracay’s problematic sewage system.

“Some 300 out of 800 establishments in Boracay were found dumping untreated waste water directly into the sea or canals. They were advised to connect to BIWC’s sewage treatment plant or construct their own wastewater treatment facilities,” said Cimatu, adding his department’s Pollution Adjudication Board will slap penalties to non-compliant companies. He did not reveal the government’s total outlay for the rehabilitation of Boracay’s bad sewage system.

On March 5, Duterte approved Boracay’s total closure, after calling it a cesspool in February. He announced transforming Boracay’s 1,000 hectares into land reform area; and rejected plans of Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment and its Filipino partner, Leisure and Resorts World Corp (LRWC), to build a $ 500-million casino-resort in Boracay.

In 2017, TripAdvisor ranked Boracay one of the world’s top 25. In 2012, Travel and Leisure magazine declared Boracay the world’s best beach island. Conde Nast Traveler has consistently praised Boracay.

Department of Tourism warns tourists against bogus travel agents

DOT warns tourists against bogus travel agents

Enlarge Photo

By Bing J. Jaleco 

MANILA, Philippines - DOT Secretary Wanda Teo said hundreds of thousands of Filipino tourists travel domestically during the summer period. 

With the summer season officially on in the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reminded the public against bogus travel agencies, which usually offer “too-good-to-be-true” tour packages online. 

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo said hundreds of thousands of Filipino tourists travel domestically during the summer period. 

Based on DOT statistics, at least seven million Filipinos travel around the country between April and May, with Cebu as the top destination for locals. 

With this, Teo said, the public must be ‘WISE’ in their travel plans, an acronym for “Work out your travel plans; Identify tour and travel agencies; See tourism quality seal; and Engage accredited service providers only.” 

The DOT launched the ‘WISE’ campaign last year to help locals avoid being scammed by fake travel agencies that are prevalent on social media. 

“We are in close coordination with the DOT regional offices to make sure that the list of accredited establishment and services are updated and posted in strategic locations, such as airports, terminals, and ports for easy reference,” Teo said. 

She advised the public to verify the legitimacy of travel and tour companies by calling DOT regional offices, or by visiting DOT’s database online at www.accreditationonline.tourism.gov.ph. 

Teo said travellers can also judge the authenticity of the travel agency by checking the tourism quality seal displayed at their offices, websites, and social media accounts. 

She warned DOT-accredited travel agencies found to be involved in illegal activities would be stripped of their accreditation

Pacquiao wants Duterte at ringside

President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hand of Sen. Manny Pacquiao during a courtesy call at Malacañan in December 2016.

The STAR, File

Pacquiao wants Duterte at ringside for Matthysse fight

18SHARES101

Abac Cordero (philstar.com) - April 18, 2018 - 8:02pm

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao wants President Duterte to be at ringside when the Filipino boxing icon challenges Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse on July 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“If the President is not busy,” said Pacquiao in Wednesday’s press conference at the City of Dreams.

No sitting President has ever come to watch Pacquiao fight overseas, and Duterte, his close friend, could be the first.

“I want to invite him,” said Pacquiao.

The line was drawn heading to the July 15 title clash in Malaysia when Matthysse, who’s in the biggest fight of his career, said Pacquiao’s “time is over.”

But Pacquiao is not to be carried away, and in his business suit accorded the champion from Argentina a warm welcome.

During the customary staredown, in front of all the cameras, Pacquiao smiled at Matthysse.

Face to face, they sized each other up, with the WBA belt in between them. They shook hands afterwards.

On Thursday night, they will board the same plane that will take them to Kuala Lumpur for another press conference scheduled on Friday.

Then on Saturday, they fly back to Manila, and go separate ways. The next time they meet again will be on fight week.

Matthysse arrived in Manila Wednesday morning, joined by his manager and promoter, Mario Arano, Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez and PR director Ramiro Gonzalez.

“It was good. It was nice. It was a long trip obviously but it was nice. It’s the normal. I’m a little tired. But we were comfortable,” said Matthysse of the journey that took over 30 hours.

Matthysse said he knows little about the Philippines but came to the press conference in Barong.

“Out of respect,” he said.

“I don’t know too much about the Philippines. I know it’s a beautiful country. And the people have been so nice to me since I got here,” added Matthysse.

It was the first time, too, that he met Pacquiao face to face.

“I’ve seen many of his fights on TV. But I’ve never met him in person,” he said.

They're just getting to know each other.

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/04/18/1807206/pacquiao-wants-duterte-ringside-matthysse-fight#By6DoGUTokj7SVcx.99

That's not a bad idea ....

THAT'S NOT A BAD IDEA

Very often - sometimes too often! - the thought is back! If we wake up in the morning (or even many times in the middle of the night), the thought is back. Sometimes, the thought will not let us sleep. The "act of thinking", the "reflection", the "opinion" or the "serious consideration", no matter, how we describe it - our memory and conscience is always with us as a permanent companion.

We brood over unsettled problem. Sometimes, we bear unfair treatments, arrogance, ignorance, incompetent know-it-all-betters, and unbearable oddballs, who inexorable love to make our life a hell while living themselves a disorderly life.

We would not like to be distracted, but we're toying with some good ideas how we could throw overboard all that "human garbage". What will come next is a matter of conjecture.

Of course, I've got my ideas, but I'm not a mind reader. Too many trains of thought make us thoughtless and absent-minded -  especially in difficult and important daily life situations.

Does waiting and/or sleeping solve our problems? Or is it just again in time? Our life's central idea should not be, that while waiting, time solves all our problems. Thoughts should intensify, condense and deepen plans follow by actions.

It's good and helpful to carry thoughts in us all the time. Incomprehensible, or better unfinished and un-matured thoughts, no matter whether positive or negative, should be slept on, before tiredness outstrips us with supersonic speed.

Sometimes, we feel that our thoughts and ideas can't be fulfilled with life. Where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways; but where the heart is weak, it will find a thousands excuses. If doubts begin to take roots, we should rouse from pink-tinted idealism or wear down and annihilate nightmares and erase and wipe out such thoughts and ideas.

If our thoughts are good and have the chance to be fulfilled in action, especially if "the other side" is prepared and willing to step on to such a bridge of life, we might get a support and words of encouragement.

And, if not? No action? 

Maybe it is God's will to keep and protect us from a careless, rash, disadvantageous and uneasy action. Every new day gives us new inexhaustible possibilities to survive, to bear trials and to start a new beginning. We overlook and fail to notice many chances in lie through our sluggishness and laziness while thinking and dreaming of unequaled and unfulfilled ideas.

And, my dear readers: As we all know - our time on earth is limited... .

Philippines privacy body probes Facebook data breach

54SHARES1011

Janvic Mateo (The Philippine Star) -

MANILA, Philippines — The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has launched an investigation against social media giant Facebook over a massive data breach involving British consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica.

NPC officials this week sent a letter to Facebook founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg directing the company to submit information regarding the processing of Facebook data of some 1.18 million Filipino users affected by the incident.

“The Philippines has exceeded user growth projections and now has more than 67 million active Facebook users. It is our duty to protect the data privacy interests of these users, and to provide those affected with avenues of redress,” read the four-page letter dated April 11.

The letter, signed by privacy commissioner Raymund Liboro and deputy commissioners Ivy Patdu and Leandro Angelo Aguirre, was sent to Facebook after Zuckerberg admitted that the company has been remiss of its duty to protect the personal data of its users.

The social media giant is currently under fire following reports that Cambridge Analytica was able to illegally harvest data from millions of users through a third party program.

Earlier data released by Facebook showed that the Philippines ranked second in terms of the number of users affected by the data breach, next to the United States which had data of 70 million users compromised. 

In its letter to Zuckerberg, the NPC said the response of the company has been generic and inadequate to satisfy the mounting concerns of Filipino users.

“We are launching an investigation into Facebook to determine whether there is unauthorized processing of personal data of Filipinos, and other possible violations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012,” said the privacy body.

“We will look into Facebook’s adherence of the data processing principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality required of every personal information controller processing the personal data of Filipinos. We will also examine whether Facebook upholds data subject rights,” it added.

The NPC officials directed Facebook to submit documentation on tools and specific processes performed on Filipino users on the social media platform, particularly on the use of artificial intelligence to process data.

Advertisement

Powered By YuMe

“If any of these processes involves any outsourcing, please provide us with contracts entered into with such entities,” read the letter.

“We shall also require more information on Facebook’s data sharing with third parties. Kindly prove documentation on any legal ties that limit or regulate how this data is shared,” it added.

On the incident involving Cambridge Analytica, the NPC asked Zuckerberg to provide a more detailed timeline of the incidents relating to the discovery of abuse committed by the third party developer.

“We understand that you also developed tools to determine the existence of abuse in 2014, and that for some reason, these tools were not able to detect abuse on the part of Cambridge Analytica and other similar programs at other academic institutions,” said the NPC.

“Please provide us with that documentation and other evidence in your possession on any abuse of data from 2012 to the present,” it added.

The privacy body also asked Zuckerberg to submit forensic digital artifacts related to the incident.

Foreign intervention

Meanwhile, election monitor Kontra Daya called on the NPC to thoroughly investigate the improper sharing of more than one million Filipino Facebook users’ information with data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica, saying this is tantamount to foreign intervention in the country’s electoral exercise.

“Any invasion of privacy is unacceptable and should be investigated immediately. Any foreign intervention in our country’s electoral system should be opposed relentlessly,” Kontra Daya said in a statement issued yesterday.

Facebook had admitted to the improper sharing of information of around 87 million people’s Facebook accounts, 82 percent of which are from the US. Cambridge Analytica’s parent firm, Strategic Communication Laboratories (SCL) also claimed to have helped in the election campaigns of Philippine Presidents Benigno Aquino III in 2010 and Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.

“One may argue that 1.2 million ‘compromised’ accounts is just a small percentage of the estimated 36.2 million Facebook users in the Philippines. But even then, it cannot be denied that the privacy of these 1.2 million Filipinos has been compromised when University of Cambridge Psychology Lecturer Aleksandr Kogan developed the app ‘thisisyourdigitallife’ and then shared the user data with SCL/Cambridge Analytica and Eunoia Technologies,” the group said.

Kontra Daya said the case should refresh the public’s memory of the massive leak of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of the database, when its voter information was also leaked.

“If there is a lesson that can be learned from the controversy surrounding Cambridge Analytica and SCL, it is that there should be no foreign intervention in the country’s electoral exercise. Just like the Comelec, the political parties, lobby groups and public relations firms should be held accountable for the deals they make to ensure victory for their candidates or clients,” Kontra Daya said.

It is high time for the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation into the role of Cambridge Analytica and SCL in the national elections, the group urged, further stating the importance to require Facebook to explain the full extent of the data breach involving users in the Philippines and if such data influenced the outcome of elections. 

It also called on political parties, lobby groups and PR firms to be more transparent in their operations especially during election season.

“While there are clear laws on election expenditures, it is imperative that partnerships with individuals and groups be disclosed and that foreigners be disallowed from intervening in the election campaigns in any way,” it added. 

“The people’s rights to privacy and suffrage cannot be compromised to satisfy the political agenda of the few. And as the 2019 senatorial and local elections roll around and we choose wisely to elect our next leaders, may we all be reminded that no one, most especially shady foreign entities, should be allowed to violate our rights,” the group stressed. – With Louella Desiderio, Rainier Allan Ronda, Paolo Romero

Worrying wouldn't help ...

My column in Businessweek Mindanao

Life is better than ever, so why does everybody seem to be unhappy? As regular reader of this column, you surely remember this topic which I already raised several times. 

Whenever I hear people saying that things turned so bad nowadays, I think of my late LOLA, born in 1899 (!) into a really awful world in Germany and its surroundings. Also the so-called "Golden Twenties" between two World Wars have been everything but golden for her and my former relatives. Lola never complained, even during the sorrowful times in the former East German, the "German Democratic Republic". Lola reached the ripe old age of almost 86.

We hardly count our blessings. We enjoy counting our crosses. Instead of gains, we count our losses. We don't have to do all that counting - computers do it for us. Information is easily had.

Facebook to and fro, back and forth, there and back - how many posts and comments have been posted already with sadness, loneliness, boredom strikes, problems, worries ... .

Just remember this: Opportunity doesn't just knock - it jiggles the door-knob. and "your social media online-friend" - the worrier, is with you day and night, at every corner, following your every step. Complaining and grumbling are good excuses, right?

Is social media bad for us? Three billion people, around 40% of the world’s population, use online social media – and we’re spending an average of two hours every day sharing, liking, tweeting and updating on these platforms, according to some reports. That breaks down to around half a million tweets and Snapchat photos shared every minute. Stress, mood, anxiety, depression, sleep (or better non-sleep), self-esteem - Overall, social media’s effects on well-being are ambiguous, according to a paper written last year by researchers from the Netherlands. However, they suggested there is clearer evidence for the impact on one group of people: social media has a more negative effect on the well-being of those who are more socially isolated.

Imagine, we have time and opportunities to do almost anything. So why haven't we done it? We have the freedom of bondage or restraint, every one of us in his or her very special unique way - but, we're still our old inferior selves.

The job is boring. I don't get a good job. The house is an un-pleasend mixture of tidy and dirty things. It's a mess. I'm not in the mood to arrange my garden. I can't afford a gardener. That's life. How sad. No, it's not my fault; or course not.

The whole world is an awful place filled with dreadful and horrible negativism. Yes, I confess, I'm also surrounded by many worriers who put their fears into me. Politicians, i.e., many times love to search for some grave alarm that will cause individuals to abandon their sperate concerns and act im concert, so that politicians can wield the baton. Calls to fatal struggles and fights are forever being sounded.

The over-bearing person, who tyrannizes the weak, who wants to domineer and to bluster, is simply nothing else than a worrier, who claims to be a friend. But he isn't. Really not! The bullying of fellow citizens by means of dread and fright has been going on since Paleolithic times. The night wolf is eating the moon. Give me silver and I'll make him spit out.

Well, when will we start counting our courage and not our fears, or enjoy instead of our woe? Worrying itself is pointless.Of course, no society has achieved perfectly rules of law, never-ending education or unique responsible governments. Let's seek out the worries but avoid the worriers, because they try to avoid liberty.

If you are still worrying right now about something, try to read Jeremiah 29:10-14 or Revelation 21:1-8, just to mention these two. It works.

Ask an expert: Philippines

Last updated 10:29, April 3 2018

• 0

123RF

Palawan often makes "world's most beautiful island" lists.

Q. I'd like to visit the Philippines but, with so many islands to choose from, am not sure where to start with planning a trip. Can you help? 

A. You're quite right – with more than 7000 islands in the Philippine archipelago it can be very confusing to know which ones are the more interesting and accessible islands to visit. The following are islands proving very popular with visitors, each with their own unique charms:

Boracay is well-known among tourists and is not to be missed. Boracay has stunning white, sandy beaches, great hotels and restaurants and a wide variety of water sports for the more active. 

Palawan is often in the running for the "most beautiful island in the world" title so I'm sure you can picture the scenery already. Palawan is the ultimate tropical escape with crystal clear waters, dense jungles, mountains and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which is a must-see. 

Mindoro is within easy reach of Manila and one of the top diving spots in the Philippines, which is saying something given the multitude of excellent diving locations in the country.

Bohol is famous for its "Chocolate Hills" which are actually huge conical mounds that turn brown during the summer and look like giant chocolate buttons. For the best view of this amazing landscape visit Chocolate Hills Adventure Park.  

Lastly, Cebu is as energetic as Manila if you are seeking a good dose of city fever with lively bars and eateries. There are also plenty of picturesque beaches to escape to and snorkelling spots to explore after you've been on the go. 

With Philippine Airlines now flying direct to Manila from Auckland it makes it even easier to access this increasingly popular country in Southeast Asia.  

 - Craig Hopley, Owner Operator, House of Travel St Heliers 

War against innocents

No need to explain headlines and daily news! Killing in every part of the world is unceasing! Warriors go and fight prepared to kill and to be killed with no fear. In the forests, in the streets, a lot of them are found dead bodies spread-eagled. In the rivers and oceans, a lot of them are found floating if not eaten by the hungry sharkes.

But what about those innocent lives who are just victims of war atrocities? Are they prepared to die in such a horrible state? It is sickening to realize that those people are killed within just a flick of a finger by those war-oriented people. Moreoften, we can learn through media about numbers of people dead and injured caused by building and streets bombings, chemical poisonongs (!), and nuclear power testings.

Killings - yes, there will be always killings! Because the Super Powers are in a race to put as many weapons as possible into their allies' hands. The Arm producers are urged and more encouraged to make more weapons and explosives. As the Great Powers never stop intervening in these small countries' affairs, there will be more casualties. Wouldn't it much  better for them to help the Third World countries economically than supplying them with weapons?

How many more innocent lives shall we find scattered in the streets? How  many more of them will be seen floatingin the open seas with shattered bodies? And how many more young and old people will be buried innocently at the bottom of the sea leaving their loved-ones to suffer pain and extreme grief?

War is hell and the world has had enough! When will stability prevail in this world? In one of my previous columns in this corner, several years ago, I asked "Cold War - Hot War?". It was the time, the Ukraine crisis began. Today, let's ask ourselves the same question. And? Homo sapiens - quo vadis?