SNAP SHOTS: Majayjay Laguna

Laguna may be just a province away and is on the verge of exponential industrial growth in the Southern Tagalog region, but on the towns near the Sierra Madre region and Banahaw mountain retains it lush green forests and natural wonders. One of the town which we went last month for the Costales Nature Farm tour made us happy so see more green than concrete. 

I guess, it time for us to at least unwind in the rich greens from the organic farm and with Mount Banahaw in the background and also went on a side trip to one of the nearby waterfalls, Taytay falls. It's indeed more fun to take snap shots in Majayjay, Laguna!

 

On The Spot Jeepney Painiting Contest

The Jeepney Arts Festival is a social responsibility drive that aims to help rehabilitate the Philippine cultural icon and bring back the old glory days of fun and vibrant jeepneys.  It pays homage to the jeepney as the true icon of Filipino artistry, ingenuity, resiliency, and entrepreneurship.

The country will stop for three (3) days to relive the Filipino bayanihan spirit by repainting jeepneys.  All participants will render an artistic tourism design for passenger jeepneys in Manila and adopt the theme “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”  The design must depict the country’s rich cultural heritage, fascinating destinations, exceptional attractions, etc. that make it more fun to travel around the Philippines.

MECHANICS

1. In order to confirm the participation, interested participants must completely fill out the online registration form at the Jeepney Arts Festival website (www.JeepneyArtsFestival.com).

Azalea Residences - Our Home in Baguio City

When we were at the first Baguio Blog Conference, I wondered where would we stay as many of the hotels I know there are either far from the city proper, or too small or too old which made me worry a little. Being not new to Baguio, I was hoping that we would have a least a good hotel. 

When we arrived in Baguio, we were brought to AZALEA RESIDENCES, found near the city center. It was huge and is a new hotel in the city of Pines! I felt I was in another place. With the cold weather and pine trees, I felt it was m first time in Baguio.

Azalea Residences on the facade looks so very comfy as it looks like a huge log cabin and also situated at a great location in the city with also an amazing view and of course a lot of pines, which I say is decreasing in number in the outskirts of the city.

SNAP SHOTS: Metropolitan Theater

It has been decades since the public has been inside the Metropolitan Theater in Manila which used to be the grandest place for performing in the metro. But even after restoration after the war, the building goes down to more ruins and even up to now the building is still not open to the public, however there are some exceptions wherein some have performed in the still-renovating building. One of them is my theater organization in PLM called Marulaya when they staged "Ehipto". The place does have good seats however there is no electricity so a generator must be provided.

SNAP SHOTS: Urduja House

As the Palrong Pambansa happens in Pangasinan we will feature a one of a kind place in the provincial capital of Lingayen, this is the URDUJA HOUSE. Named after the epic warrior princess of Pangasinan, it will become the official residence of the Governor of Pangasinan, similar to Malacanan Palace in Manila. 

SNAP SHOTS: Luneta Hotel

Here In LakBayan, we do appreciate heritage and culture through architectural jewels found around us, and even in Manila there are countless places where you can see places of great interest. And for our first feature we have Luneta Hotel which is found in Ermita, considered as a  vintage architectural wonder in manila which was left in ruin until recently it was renovated and planned to be opened as new hotel.

I hope we will also restore more places in the metro that has been left in ruins to preserve our rich history.  They already have a website (http://www.lunetahotel.com.ph/) and hope to see more of its interiors as it is finished. 

Tourism’s ‘More Fun’ Logo Bags Best Design in Adobo Design Awards 2012

The country’s new tourism campaign logo, It's More Fun In The Philippines, won the Grand PrixAward for Best Design for Corporate/ Brand Identity Category at the recent Adobo DesignAwards 2012. The logo, which is a banig weave (local mat) that forms the map of the Philippines, was also judged as Best Design in the Logo Category, making it a double victory for the Philippine tourism brand that evening.

Held last April 20, 2012 at the M Cafe, the Adobo Design Awards champions the best inPhilippine design and recognizes the talents behind them. Originally launched in 2007, the competition promises to up the ante and bring out the best of the best. Submitted works were judged by top men and women of advertising and design measuring up to global standards of excellence.

Tourism Ministers Support Acceleration of theCommon Visa for Non-ASEAN Nationals

The 15th Meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers held in Manado, Indonesia ended on a high note as major accomplishments were reported and key measures committed in order to hasten integration, enhance connectivity and improve the quality of tourism services in the region. A significant measure that the tourism ministers agreed to fast track is the development of a common visa for non-ASEAN nationals. This is also related to the goal of the regional bloc of attracting 107 million tourists by 2015. 

The combined visits to the ten-member nations totalled 79 million in 2011.Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon J. Jimenez, Jr. Is optimistic that of this figure, 7.7% will be generated by the Philippines or around 8.2 million. “We have just successfully rolled out our new branding campaign in the presence of international travel executives, national tourism organizations and media practitioners during the ASEAN Tourism Forum. We have caused excitement and we are expecting a surge of interest in our country and our people, the latter being the aspect that highlights our difference,” Jimenez said.

Talks were likewise advanced with dialogue partners China, India, Japan andKorea on various cooperation activities that deepen cross-cultural relations, improveexchange of information and technology and travel between and among these countries.

New Tourism Campaign Wows International Travel Experts

This year’s ASEAN Tourism Forum at Manado, Indonesia witnessed the newPhilippine brand launch with the line - ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines.’“ATF 2012 is a perfect platform to introduce to some 1,600 international delegates composed of buyers and sellers, the NTO community and media delegates,”Philippine Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.Focusing on the country’s core strength, the campaign singles out what no other destination can offer - and that is the Filipino people. The Lonely Planet guidebook calls Filipinos ‘among the most easygoing and ebullient people anywhere.’ Meanwhile, a constant truth that comes out in the passenger exit surveys is the “warmth andhospitality of the people.”“Our strategy is simple: while other countries invite you to observe, Filipinos can promise a more heartfelt and interesting experience. Wherever you go, whatever you do in the country, it’s the Filipinos that will complete your vacation and will make your holiday unforgettable,” says the new tourism chief, who accepted the post in September 2011. The Filipinos are already known around the world to be one of the happiest and warmest people on earth. In a survey conducted among expatriates by international bank HSBC, it was revealed that the Philippines is the 8th friendliest country for them.

The campaign hopes to enjoin the whole country in creating positive buzz of thetagline. The campaign was trending on Twitter Friday noon when it was earlier introduced to local media. Catching like wild fire, netizens flooded the web with creativeways to interpret the line through do-it-yourself-memes which could likely land on shirts,billboards, stickers and other collaterals.

Meanwhile, the ‘#1FORFUN’ local slogan aims to rally the Filipino nation tostrengthen and sustain this well-appreciated fun character and be a “constant reminder to make sure people’s experiences in our country are positive, enjoyable, and most of all, fun,” Jimenez added. The presentation was well-received during the Philippine-hosted dinner on 13January 2012 at the Sultanraja Hotel. The occasion was graced by North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria RosarioClaudio Aguinaldo and Consul General Jose Burgos.Exciting travel prizes were raffled off from generous sponsors Philippine Airlinesand various hotels and tour operators. The high spirits continued until curtain fall withparticipants dancing to band music and cheering the world-class performances by topFilipino artists.