Tourism recharged

To live up to its mandate of being the true representative of the country’s tourism stakeholders, the new TCP Board also appointed various representatives of the industry’s various sectors and regions.

BY DEEDEE SIYTANGCO

Apr 30, 2023 00:52 AM

  

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Another long weekend will end tomorrow, Labor Day. Traditonally, the day will be marked by fiery speeches from labor leaders and activists and a handful of rallies and demonstrations. So expect those tomorrow.

But May is also the month of the Blessed Mother Mary, so the churches will have the offering of flowers after the masses. I love this religious tradition, which is practiced all over our country. Little girls in white dresses carry their flower offerings to Mary, a lovely, inspiring sight!

Many of our friends and relatives have had the chance to have reunions again and go to their favorite vacations spots, beaches, parks, and the like. The cafés and little eating places are thriving too, thanks to improved highways and by-ways to the provinces.
Tourism is thriving too, enjoying a re-birth so to speak despite the fear of a new Covid variant. Again we are asked to wear masks in public places as a precaution, so please do to contain the spread. In the meantime, enjoy the long, hot summer days ahead.

A good friend of mine and a pillar in our Bulong Pulungan media forum, Bob Zozobrado, is right in the middle of the tourism revival. In fact he is leading a spark-plug group. The Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) recently convened and elected its new board of trustees for the period 2023-2025.

Other tourism industry stalwarts elected were James Montenegro of Chroma Hospitality as executive vice-president,  Cindy Marie Virar of Marcian Garden Hotel Corp. as secretary,  Margarita Munsayac of Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort as Treasurer, and Harry Morris of Hijo Resources Corp., as PRO.

President Bob Zozobrado with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco

TCP was created by the Tourism Act of 2009 under Republic Act 9593 to serve as the private sector consultative body to assist the government in the development, implementation, and coordination of Philippine tourism policies. Its hundreds of members come from all sectors of the tourism industry all over the country.

To live up to its mandate of being the true representative of the country’s tourism stakeholders, the new TCP Board also appointed various representatives of the industry’s various sectors and regions. Rolando Cañizal of Rajah Travel Corp. is the vice-president for Luzon,  Peter Tay of Boracay Adventures, Inc. is the vice-president for Visayas, and Marilou Ampuan of Bloomers Travel and Tours is the vice-president for Mindanao.

The sectoral representatives for Luzon are Sylvia Elvira Domingo of Philippine Airlines as  trustee for transport,  Michael Jaey Albaña of SMX Convention Center as trustee for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions),  Javier Hernandez of LIO Tourism Estate as trustee for Tourism Estate Development.

The Visayas has Maria Theresa Acelo of Check Cars Transport System as trustee for transport;  Celso Jimenez of Micro Soph Events Management Services as trustee for MICE, Eduard Loop of Cebu Safari and Adventure Park as trustee for Tourism Estate, and Jaime Sarte III of Feel Deep Scuba Diving Services as trustee for Other Accredited Tourism Enterprises.

The new set of TCP officers being inducted into office by Tourism Secretary Frasco

Mindanao is represented by Mary Ann Montemayor of Konkordans, Inc. as trustee for MICE and Clyde Gamola of PHINMA Cagayan de Oro College as trustee for Other Accredited Tourism Enterprises.

In connection with its mandate of being the continuous link between the country’s tourism stakeholders and the Department of Tourism (DOT), consultative meetings with the various tourism sectors have already been scheduled in the different regions starting in June, with the tourism enterprises in Luzon, followed by a similar one in the Visayas and another one in Mindanao.

To ensure that operational standards of all tourism enterprises in the country are up to par with our foreign counterparts, the TCP is helping the DOT with its continuous drive to make all tourism-related businesses DOT-accredited.

Bob loves facing a big challenge but he is excited and eager to help the industry he loves.

La Salle trounces UE, finishes elims on high note

BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS

  

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AT A GLANCE

• At 13-1, this was De La Salle's best record at the end of elimination round since its Season 76 (2013-14) 14-0 sweep before faltering to Ateneo in the Finals.

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Final Four-bound De La Salle made swift work of University of the East, 25-17, 25-20, 25-17, to enter the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball post-season on a four-game winning streak Saturday, April 29, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Thea Gagate scores for De La Salle in its final eliminations match against University of the East. (UAAP Images)

The Lady Spikers now await their semis foe between Adamson University or University of Santo Tomas depending on their final elimination matches Sunday, April 30.

At 13-1, this was De La Salle's best record at the end of elimination round since its Season 76 (2013-14) 14-0 sweep before faltering to Ateneo in the Finals.

"Yun din naman yung sinabi namin na mindset sa kanila before this game na yung UE wala nang mawawala sa kanila, hindi tayo pupwedeng magrelax," said Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo.

"Sinabi lang namin paghandaan yung dadating na semis kaya kailangan all out tayo ngayong last game natin," the long-time deputy of Ramil de Jesus continued.

The Lady Warriors held an 8-5 lead in the third set but not for long as they shot themselves on the foot with three straight errors to allow De La Salle to equalize at 9-all.

Shevana Laput, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Angel Canino then clicked to give the Lady Spikers the 15-10 advantage all the way to the 25-17 final.

Angel Canino led De La Salle anew with 13 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and two aces to go with eight excellent receptions, while Dela Cruz added eight points and seven digs.

Leiah Malaluan returned to action and dropped six points, while Thea Gagate and Amie Provido notched six and five points, respectively.

KC Cepada produced a game-high 16 points while Van Bangayan added 10 points and nine digs. Ja Lana also got nine points and eight excellent receptions.

The Lady Warriors ended the season at 1-13.

Yllana Marie Aduana crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2023

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Crowd favorite Yllana Marie Aduana, who finished college at Centro Escolar University, edged out 27 other eco-warrior candidates in the environment-driven pageant. She was crowned by outgoing Miss Philippines Earth 2022 Jenny Ramp. 

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Miss Philippines Earth 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana (YouTube screenshot

A 24-year-old model and actress, who encourages people to be eco-friendlier and live the zero waste, was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2023 during a competition held in Toledo City, Cebu Saturday night.

Crowd favorite Yllana Marie Aduana, who finished college at Centro Escolar University, edged out 27 other eco-warrior candidates in the environment-driven pageant. She was crowned by outgoing Miss Philippines Earth 2022 Jenny Ramp. 

Yllana, of Siniloan, Laguna, will represent the Philippines at the Miss Earth 2023 beauty pageant in Vietnam later this year. She stands 5'7 tall and measures 33-23-36.

She is a graduate of medical technology at the Centro Escolar University Makati, a satellite campus of CEU Manila, in 2018.

The top five candidates were asked a common question during the final question-and-answer portion. The final question was: "What do you think people in the future would say about your generation?"

She answered: "I would definitely say that our generation, although misconstrued as very ardent, I would have to say that we use our voices for a reason and that is to always speak up for the things that we know are right and for the things that we know we deserve. That is why we are very ardent about it. That is why I’m also conducting colloquiums on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their interconnectedness to nature in hopes to precipitate people’s eco-consciousness because our future is the linebackers and the pioneers of environmental amelioration, and we should always take advantage of it at all costs."

Prior, in the top 10 hashtag question-and-answer portion,  Aduana picked the word "safety" and expounded on food and water security.

"Safety plays a very salient role in our lives. We have to always be secured, not only safe but also in terms of water security, and food security because as Miss Philippines Earth, I know that I am a hardworking person and I can always incorporate this in order for us to achieve safety at all costs and protect Mother Earth the way she protects us all with all safety," she said.

Aduana earlier said that she wants to become Miss Philippines Earth 2023 because "this is really what my heart wants."

"I know that I have the capacity and knowledge to wear the crown and perform the responsibilities of spreading awareness on climate reality, encourage people to be eco-friendlier and live zero waste and a sustainable lifestyle, and most importantly, to take action to prevent ecological collapse and inspire other people through edifying them to do the same," Aduana said. "More than anything, I am primed to be not a queen of the Earth but a queen for the Earth."

Her advocacy is called E.A.R.T.H. Education. Where E.A.R.T.H. stands for Environmental Awareness and Action to Restore and Transcend Home through Education. 

"As an ardent advocate of education and the environment, I am firm in the fact that education is the solution to any problem there is on this planet.

Miss Philippines Earth 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana (center) and her elemental court (Youtube screenshot)

"That’s why through my non-profit organization called Edukasyon for Every Juan, I will use it as my medium to help in the fight against climate change by organizing seminars and colloquiums and educate people on climate reality. 

"One specific approach to do that is through the framework I like to call, the POSITIVE BELEAF framework where P.O.S.I.T.I.V.E. stands for all the positive things we can do to be eco-friendlier and when performed, it will result to B.E.L.E.A.F. which stands for a set of positive outcome towards a greener planet," Aduana explained.

Other winners:

Miss Philippines Air 2023: Kerri Reily (Mangatarem, Pangasinan)

Miss Philippines Water 2023: Jemimah Joy Zabala (Puerto Princesa City)

Miss Philippines Fire 2023: Sha'uri Livori (Fil-Com of Melbourne, Australia)

Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2023: Athena Auxillo (Toledo City)

Also in the top 10 were: Queenie Salac (Fil-Com Milan, Italy), KC Falcasantos (Dipolog City), Ma. Cristina Tallador (Iloilo City), Cea de Jesus (Taguig City) and Princes Lazaga (San Jose, Nueva Ecija).

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Magnitude 5.5 quake hits Occidental Mindoro

BY CHARIE MAE F. ABARCA

Apr 29, 2023 00:53 AM

  

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State seismologists on Saturday, April 29, said an earthquake with a magnitude measuring 5.5 jolted Occidental Mindoro.

(Phivolcs)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the seismic event was traced 16 kilometers (km) northwest of Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro. It was tectonic in origin and it occurred at 12:00 a.m.

Phivolcs’ initial bulletin showed that the following instrumental intensities were recorded: Intensity IV in Puerto Galera and Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Intensity III in Lemery and Calatagan, Batangas; San Ildefonso, Bulacan; Magallanes and Tagaytay City, Cavite; as well as Las Piñas City.

Instrumental Intensity II was also reported in Abucay, Bataan; Cuenca, San Luis, Bauan, Laurel, Batangas City, and Sta. Teresita in Batangas; Marilao, Malolos City, Guiguinto, Calumpit, and Pulilan in Bulacan; Tagaytay City and Ternate in Cavite; Muntinlupa City; Abra De Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; and Victoria, Oriental Mindoro.

Meanwhile, Phivolcs said Instrumental Intensity I was felt in Dinalupihan, Bataan; Talisay and Lipa in Batangas; Norzagaray and Obando, Bulacan; San Juan City, Pasay, Malabon, Pateros in Metro Manila; Parañawur City; Guagua, Pampanga; Gumaca, Dolores in Quezon; Cardona, Angono, and Taytay in Rizal, Marabut, Samar; and San Antonio, Cabagan, and Olongapo in Zambales.

Phivolcs said this seismic event may trigger aftershocks.

Tourism stars, vloggers, influencers headline Go Negosyo's tourism summit 2023

BY ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

Apr 29, 2023 09:35 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Travel content creators such as Bogart the Explorer, Kyle "Kulas" Jennermann of "Becoming Filipino," Carl Chuidian of "The Chui Show," Angelica Gapit of "Angelica and Aileen Wanders," and Herbie Arabello" of "NSTV Travel Vlog" will join the summit.

• A Special Award for Travel Vloggers and Influencers will recognize inspiring travel content creators who have made significant contributions to the country's tourism landscape through social media.

• Twenty enterprises operating in the tourism industry will also be recognized via the "Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneurs Awards" for their role in promoting the country's tourism industry.

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Top travel vloggers and influencers who have significantly impacted the country's tourism industry will be recognized during the Go Negosyo Tourism Summit 2023 at SM Seaside City in Cebu City on May 6.

(Go Negosyo / Facebook)

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Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said this as he emphasized how these social media travel and tourism influencers have played a key role in promoting the country's various tourist spots locally and internationally.

Through the internet, Concepcion said the domestic and local tourists could see more of what they can expect when they visit more places in the Philippines.

"Influencers and content creators are important. This is an area that will really help our MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises)," he said.

"We hope to have more content creators to market the Philippines in terms of having the best beaches, the friendliest people, even the best food in Asia," he added.

Travel content creators such as Bogart the Explorer, Kyle "Kulas" Jennermann of "Becoming Filipino," Carl Chuidian of "The Chui Show," Angelica Gapit of "Angelica and Aileen Wanders," and Herbie Arabello" of "NSTV Travel Vlog" will join the summit.

A Special Award for Travel Vloggers and Influencers will recognize inspiring travel content creators who have made significant contributions to the country's tourism landscape through social media.

Aside from the influencers and vloggers, 20 enterprises operating in the tourism industry will also be recognized via the "Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneurs Awards" for their role in promoting the country's tourism industry.

The winners will come from MSMEs in accommodations, tour services, unique attractions, food tourism, retail and services, community-based cultural tourism, and sustainable tourism/ecotourism.

Concepcion said vloggers and influencers have contributed directly to the recovery of the country's tourism industry.

"Through their help, our tourism numbers are now returning to pre-pandemic levels while many income opportunities have opened for our MSMEs in various parts of the country," he said.

Co-presented by the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board with venue partner SM Seaside City and with support from the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Tourism Summit will gather the who's who in the travel and tourism sectors, including industry experts, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in a one-day event to tackle the future of Philippine tourism and the economic opportunities it presents, particularly for MSMEs.

To open the event, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Tourism Sec. Christina Garcia-Frasco will deliver special messages of encouragement.

The event will also hold panel discussions led by key government officials and industry leaders. The panelists include ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) president Eddy Soemawilaga, Cebu City Mayor Michael Raa, General Luna Mayor Sol Matugas, Panglao Mayor Edgardo Arcay, PCCI Director for Tourism Samie Lim, AirAsia CEO Ricky Isla, Cebu Pacific president Alexander Lao, Henann president Alfonso Chusuey, internationally renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue, and Philippine Hotel Owners Association Executive Director Benito Bengzon.

Clarita Carlos tells Pinoys what the real enemy is

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Apr 29, 2023 10:31 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Professor Clarita Carlos says climate change is the enemy that Filipinos should worry about.

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Clarita Carlos (MANILA BULLETIN)

Professor Clarita Carlos' recent Facebook post reads like a message for Filipinos to set their petty differences aside as she reminded everyone what the real "enemy" is.

According to the former national security adviser, the enemy is climate change and its the bane of Mother Earth.

"Who is the ENEMY? The enemy is climate change...," Carlos wrote.

(Clarita Carlos' Facebook)

"The goal? The survival of our planet!" she added, as if trying to instill urgency to those who read the message.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions--mostly resulting from human activity--warns the planet, causing climate change. This has triggered alterations in global weather patterns.

For a climate change-vulnerable country like the Philippines--which sits in the middle of the pacific--the effects could he devastating.

Carlos currently serves as House Speaker Martin Romualdez's chief policy adviser on security and defense concerns.

Ria Atayde: ‘Go ahead, call me fat’

BY NEIL RAMOS

Apr 28, 2023 02:53 PM

  

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Ria Atayde has no problem being called fat.

She has long learned to love and accept her figure.

The actress said proudly, “Beauty comes in all forms and sizes. What matters most is how you feel about yourself."

Inasmuch as she has learned to be confident in her own skin, Ria is also hoping others of her ilk would follow suit noting, “Kung magpapa-apekto ka sa sinasabi ng iba, then wala, your whole life will be affected.”

It is mainly why she agreed to pose as calendar girl for a liquor brand.

“I want to show people that despite our flaws we could be confident in our own skin,” she said, pushing for body positivity.

“Body positivity is all about embracing yourself and understanding yourself,” she noted.

"In this day and age, it is high time we put more importance on this than body shaming."

Ria maintained, “We don’t know what some people are going through. Maybe they look the way they do because it is a choice or maybe they’re going through something.”

The actress then revealed how she has been living sans a gallbladder, that body part which break down and absorb fats from food. More, she is battling hypothyroidism.

She said, “I have hypothyroidism. So, my metabolism is slower than usual. I have no gallbladder. Losing weight is a lot harder for me than it is for other people. So, go ahead. Call me fat. Anong magagawa niyo?”

She related how some friends in showbiz struggle to embrace their bodies because of the intense scrutiny.

“It can be ruthless,” she said.

“That’s why I am advocating for body positivity to do my part in helping those struggling with unreasonably harsh criticism.”

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Where should we invest?.... in planting more trees!

With the constant effort of the provincial government to raise awareness about environmental protection and conservation, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) spearheaded a native tree-planting activity in celebration of the Month of Planet Earth with the theme "Invest in Our Planet."

On April 20, 2023, a total of four hundred (400) seedlings, 50 hills each, of Bitaog, Yakal, Tindalo, Ipil, Bakan, Kupang, Kalumpit, and Lauan were planted at the riverside of Purok 2, 3, 16, 5, 6, and 9 in Brgy. Mainit, Nabunturan town.

More than 200 individuals from the National, Provincial, and Municipal governments showed their urgency to invest in planting more trees in order to combat climate change and global warming, thereby improving communities and restoring biodiversity.

Moreover, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Presidential Proclamation 1481 on April 22, 2008, designating April 22 as Earth Day in the Philippines. On the same day, Presidential Proclamation 1482 was signed, designating the entire month of April each year as the Month of the Planet Earth.

Let’s remember that it's not only in Earth Month that we should push for climate literacy, grow trees, support sustainable fashion, help end plastic pollution, and clean up, but every day as we #InvestInOurPlanet!

 (Jaynus Fernandez)