This coming April 11-18, 2010, Guimaras Island will be celebrating Manggahan Festival 2010. The provincial governor said that they are now planning the schedule of activities which will highlight their export quality mangoes.

World's Sweetest Mango

Apart from the streetdancing competition among the students, there will also be a fireworks competition, Miss Manggahan and a free concert for the public viewers.

The ‘Manggahan Festival’ which was conceptualized to promote the province’s mango products also paves way to the opening of other opportunities for the province.

Guimaras is now being developed for its agriculture, sports and eco-tourism potentials. (Source – PNA)

Bicol is part of Tourism Central Philippines super region, one of the five growth corridors identified in President Arroyo’s super region development strategy that is known for its natural wonders and rich cultural heritage.

Whaleshark Capital of the World

The tourism super region accounts for 50 percent of the country’s tourism industry. In 2008, foreign visitors to the country totaled 3.14 million.

Donsol, which transformed itself from a sixth-class municipality in 2006 to a first-class municipality last year, is known worldwide for hosting a pod of 50 whale shark or “butandings” during the peak season of December to May every year. Continue Reading

Preparations are now underway for the fourth staging of the Gagayam Festival in the Municipality of  Sabangan Mount Province this March with the theme, “Nan Kultura,” Ipatawid Isnan Unga.

On this occasion, the e-Sabangan will be showcasing their rich culture, traditions and arts hand to them by their forefathers.

This culture-based festival will coincide with the town fiesta on March 19 – 21, in time with the commemoration of the feast of the town’s patron saint, Saint Joseph, The Worker.

Based on the draft activities, the festival consists of a series of events including street dancing, cultural presentation, indigenous games, indigenous literacy musical competitions among the 15 different barangays.

In the street dancing, dance shall depict everything/anything that is ethnic including theme, costume and ethnic implements. Participants shall be not lesser than 30 and shall be a combination of all ages from all walks of life. Continue Reading

Taking the lead among four other Asian countries, the Philippines is set to blaze the trail in the booming field of medical tourism as the country will be hosting the International Summit on Medical Travel, Wellness and Retirement (IMWell Summit) on October 12-15, 2010 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Staged in collaboration with Asian players that include India, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, the IMWell Summit is envisioned to be a forum for different countries to hold multilateral dialogues and discuss how they can cooperate for the region to further develop medical tourism.

(seated, from left to right): Joyce Alumno, HIM Communications President; DoT Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion; Henry Schumacher, Retirement and Healthcare Coalition; (standing, from l to r) Dr. Joven Cuanang, HEAL Philippines; Marc Daubenbuechel, RHC; Samie Lim, PCCI and IMWell Summit Advisor; Dr. Sam Bernal, IMWell Summit Advisor; Dr. Sanjiv Malik, IMWell Summit Honorary Chairman; Millet Escasinas, The Medical City; and Lara Santos, Health and Leisure.

“It is fitting that the Philippines is hosting the IMWell Summit, as we have already proven our country to be an emerging powerhouse as a health and wellness destination. We have quickly gained ground in medical tourism, establishing ourselves as the “Heart of Asia” where foreign patients can experience high-quality, cost-effective healthcare from world-class doctors and medical professionals who are naturally warm, friendly and caring,” said Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion, who heads the DOT’s Office for Sports and Wellness. Continue Reading

I only had exactly 4 hours of sleep but I was fully recharged when I woke up. Thanks to Microtel for hosting us and providing the most comfortable bed ever:) Microtel is known for their specially designed chiropractic beds which gives you a good night’s sleep.

One morning in Baguio City

We left the hotel at around 7am and went straight to the Baguio Country Club for the press briefing. Aside from Amboy Guevara Jr., Director Pura Molintas also welcomed us while having breakfast. With a goal of maintaining the top spot in the tourism map, BCVB is now introducing a new way to experience Baguio by promoting outdoor activities. Continue Reading

Visiting Clark in Pampanga for the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta was not really included in my schedule for today but since my friends from Lakbay Norte 2010 made some plans two days ago, I ended up joining them earlier for a short but stress relieving out-of-town trip.

Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010

It was almost 4am when we left Munos in Quezon City. We thought we will no longer be able to catch the first flight of Hot Air Balloons but with the help of the super efficient NLEX – we safely reached the festival grounds just in time for the event opening. Continue Reading

Philippine Travel Tour Expo 2010 Update: The biggest gathering of travel agencies, tour operators, local and international tourism organizations, hotels, resorts, airlines and suppliers of travel-related products and services, is now on its 17th year.

Organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), The 3-day event is scheduled on 19 to 21 February 2010 at Halls 2, 3 and 4 of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines.

With this years theme “Ready, Jet-set, Go!”, Travel Tour Expo 2010 presents an exceptional atmosphere that stimulates the desire to travel among visitors – either by air, water, rail or road, for business or for recreation, within or outside the Philippines.

Visitors can expect the best travel and tour packages from over 200 exhibitors.

According to the SM corporate website, PTAA was one of the first associations to use the three-story 46,074 square meter SMX Convention Center after its completion in late 2007.

Source : http://www.fairsandmore.com.ph

Despite the coming National elections, the crowd-drawing Dagupan Bangus Festival 2010 will be held as scheduled on April 16 to May 1 this year.

2010 Bangus Festival

Last year’s Bangus festival was believed to be the most pompous of its kind ever since the yearly feast began in 2003 as a big marketing and promotion strategy for Dagupan’s number one agricultural product, bangus. Continue Reading

Guest Post -> by Mona Sabalones-Gonzalez

The Philippines is the bargain center of the world, and its malls are culture quirks. Malls for everybody, which will entertain every visitor no matter your tastes. A day in a mall offers a selection of restaurants, theatres, all types of stores, beauty salons, spas, clinics, play areas and wonderland rides for children, furniture shops, etc. under one roof. 

Asia's Biggest Mall by PaoloE-MontE of Flickr

Philippine traffic is legendary, and not in a good way, so you are better off to do your shopping all in one place rather than spend hours on the road. Because malls tend to have the same stores, boutiques, options, etc. I will first suggest the best or the best malls and describe their unique traits, then recommend stores to look for in them. Continue Reading

The Philippines’ premier tourism destination Boracay Island is experiencing a much-needed ‘makeover’ with the on-going comprehensive infrastructure program which will to provide100% water supply and sewerage coverage to the entire community.

Save Boracay Program!

Increased water efficiency will make a significant difference to the island, ensuring the availability of safe, potable water, and addressing the concern of water pollution, a concern in Boracay for sometime.

The project is spearheaded by the Boracay Island Water Company, Inc. (BIWC), a joint venture company between Manila Water Company, Inc. and the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA). Continue Reading