It's Official VIGAN CITY is now the One of the New7wonders Cities!

After years of campaigns, promotion on social media, and the support of the citizens of Vigan City, It has been formally announced just today in Dubai the new 7 wonder cities that has undergone various levels of voting and elimination. And now, the 7 new cities of wonder in the world has been finally named.

Announcing the names of the New7Wonders Cities, Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, said: “I would like to thank everyone who have helped promote the New7Wonders Cities campaign since its inception in 2011. We began with more than 1,200 nominees from 220 different countries and here have 7 that represent the global diversity of urban society. For the first time in human history, more than half of our planet’s population lives in cities and this election emphasises the dramatically challenging character of our changing world.”

The Theatre at Solaire is now OPEN!

Entertainment and arts will have a new venue in Metro Manila with the opening of The Theatre at Solaire which has the newest state-of-the-art performance venue. With a capacity of 1,760, The Theatre highlights first-class design, impressive acoustics and lighting, and a custom-designed seating to create unmatched performance viewing experience.

The venue was opened with an all-star cast of the greatest musicians, dancers, and orchestra in the country led by Lea Salonga.

For more information about The Theater at Solaire, call 888-8888 or visit http://solaireresort.com/enjoy/theatre/.

#SolaireTheatre

Solaire's Sky Tower is now OPEN!

Another attraction is now open in Aseana City and it will bring entertainment and shopping into a whole new level. As Solaire Resort expands their services and facilities with the recently opened SKY TOWER.

#SkyTower, the newest all-suite prestige hotel of Solaire boasts of lavish finishes, luxurious in-room facilities, and an overall aura of sophistication and elegance. 

Book at #SkyTower suites now and experience premium indulgence in this newest hotel of Solaire Resort & Casino.

Click here for more details: http://solaireresort.com/stay/sky-studio/

PHITEX 2014 Emphasizes “TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE”

The Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) provides a venue for sellers of Philippine tourism products to engage top international buyers in business negotiations. It also continues to be the Department of Tourism’s and the Tourism Promotions Board’s aggressive effort to boost the country’s position in the global market as a top tourist destination. 

In support of these objectives this year, PHITEX buyers will not only have pre and post event tours to key Philippine Destinations but even more so, implement tour programs with socio-ecological  thrusts.   

 “Unlike in the past where the post-event tours were primarily for leisure, the 2014 tours are designed with activities that promote sustainability and preservation of environment,” said Tess H. Mauricio, TPB OIC for Marketing and Promotions and PHITEX project director. 

Back at the Puzzle Mansion For More Pieces!

Gina Licuna's son Gino with the first puzzle she finished (5000 pcs.)

I felt excited when I heard I would be coming back to the Puzzle Mansion in Tagaytay City. It is the home of the Guinness World Record for the Largest Collection of Puzzles last counted at 1028 pieces by Gina Gil-Lacuna. But it was just not the puzzle that made it a hit but they also made it a place where you will be immersed with the fun and facts of puzzles.

The puzzle mansion was originally a rest house of the family but when the puzzle collection grew in numbers, there was a need to store them at a bigger place. Gina also placed her bid for the world record which will steal the last record held by a Brazilian woman with less than 300 puzzles. And with the numbers they have, the record was awarded to her in 2012. 

VIGAN CITY Makes It To Top 21 of New 7 Wonders Cities

Finalist Phase (21 Oct 2013 - 7 July 2014) of the selection process of the New 7 Wonders Cities has now ended last July 7 and they have named 21 finalist cities who are still in the running to be named as the New 7 Wonder Cities. From the thousands of nominations shortlisted into hundreds, then getting through the phases. They made the announcement first on their website at www.new7wonders.com and then to their other social media sites.  Here is their announcement made on facebook: 

Vote NOW for Vigan For The New 7 Wonders Cities!

Yes that is an urgent plea from me and the rest of the supporters of Vigan City as it vies for a slot in the New 7 Wonders of the World Cities where in Vigan is the sole representative of the Philippines as it shares the limelight among with the other 20 finalist.

The past edition of New 7 Wonders of Nature, Puerto Princesa Underground Caves became one of the seven slots of the prestigious list of the best in the world. Their victory has become a catalyst of improvement of tourism and economy for the city especially the underground caves which have been fully booked as tourists flock to see it.

Now it is time to help another Philippine city to give its deserved slot among the seven. Vigan is a town of heritage and beauty. Being decelared as an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2 December 1999. Vigan famous heritage houses which are centuries old have been spared from damage from World War II.From the movie "Iliw (Nostalgia)",  it has been said that the love between a ilokana girl and the Japanese commander was the reason Vigan was not burned to the ground like what other towns have experienced. 

Experience New Zealand at Glorietta with Singapore Airlines

The New Zealand Embassy, has partnered with Singapore Airlines and Glorietta as they bring together this year’s ‘Experience New Zealand at Glorietta with Singapore Airlines’, a fair to be held at the Glorietta Activity Center, Palm Drive from June 20 to 22, 2014. The fair will give Filipino travelers a foretaste of the finest New Zealand has to offer, from a variety of delicious food and fresh produce, to the best travel deals to New Zealand’s picturesque cities.

DFA Adds Seven Additional Countries Visa-Free Privilege

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that, effective today, April 15, nationals of seven additional countries will now enjoy visa-free privilege to enter the Philippines for a period of stay of 30 days. These countries are Belize, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The privilege aims to promote tourism and investments from these countries, all of which have been emerging as key players in the international economic community and which have growing bilateral ties with the Philippines.

Let's Play at SANDBOX in Pampanga!

Pampanga is a wide plain of possibilities, I traveled to some of its destinations for fun and food like the river cruise in Sasmuan and Lubao, The nothern Mercato markets in Marquee Mall, and now something new and unique in the middle of the sandly lahar town of Porac Pampanga, Sandbox Alviera by Ayala Land in partnership with Leonio Land.

SandBox, located in the new Alviera township development, officially opened on April 12 with a lot of one of a kind attractions and some are a first in Asia.If you would think that it would be like a playpen for kids, well its actually for all ages. From simple joys of playgrounds up to hardcore adrenalin-filled rides and activities.

Among its major attractions is the Giant Swing, the Philippines’ tallest swing at 10-meters high. The Giant Swing takes up to two adult riders high into the air for an unforgettable and exhilarating swing.

Manila Cathedral Opens Its Doors After Years of Renovation!

The Manila Cathedral is considered one of the best Catholic Cathedral in the Philippines and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila which has been established since the Spanish colonization. The Cathedral has been destroyed by many times and by many ways like earthquake, fire, war and more. And the latest reconstruction was made after the war which took a lot of years. It is one of the remaining churches in the Intramuros area with San Agustin Church.

The Cathedral is a popular place for pilgrimage, tourism and weddings. It was closed for renovation for almost 2 years where visitors could only go up to the closed doors. It missed several occasions of the liturgical year. It was announced that either late March or early April the Cathedral will once again opens it doors to the public. And just in time with Holy Week starting next week.

Royal Heritage Tour and Intramuros Pasyal!

It was another time of the month for a trip down old Manila and experience it from different angles, and I never get tired of joining them. Last year I was part of the Royal Heritage Tour in January 2013, now after the busy schedules and hell weeks, I got the chance to join the FREE tour conducted by Rence Chan (http://renz15.wordpress.com/), who loves collection (especially stamps) and Philippine heritage. 

The Royal Heritage Tour is conducted every 3rd Sunday of the month with attendees comprising of history lovers, bloggers, students, and even professionals who are into exploring Manila at its roots and its famed places. The tour itinerary would comprise of the Post Office Building in Lawton, The Maestranza (The Royal Warehouses), Pasig Riverside, Intramuros and finally the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

Beach Volleyball at Club Manila East!

One of the best experiences in our lives is to go on a trip and have fun with our barkadas, classmates and our workmates. Yet sometimes, distant travels get too tiring. But, wouldn’t it be ideal to have fun without travelling far? One answer to that is going to Club Manila East! They have lots of fun and thrills, what with their huge water facilities like the OceanWaves, BeachWaves and The Funtasy Lagoon. In fact, they have just established another must-try attraction- The Beach Volleyball.

Naga City First Timer

Its my first time in the Bicol region and its also my first time at Naga City. As part of our field trip in Engineering College, the route is decided to go down south, further than my Quezon trip back in 2011. Now i finally touched Bicolano soil. The first stop over is in Naga City Camarines Sur.

Naga known to be the hometown of political heroes like Jesse Robredo and Raul Roco, the city is the most progressive city in bicolandia. The busy streets are very similar to the city of Manila. With districts similar to Binondo and Divisoria, this is what I. An describe Naga Central. With business and culture mixed in this active district, all seems to be just few blocks away from each other.  

What I love of this part of the city is its monuments and churches which looks well maintained better than the nation's capital. As the city gives homage to Nuestra Señora De Peñafrancia, the patroness of the Bicol region, with street signs and mini grottos in most places in Naga.

Via Philippines Joins Hands With Jam and Philtranco Bus Liners As Travel Partners

(Left-right) Jam Liner and Philtranco’s VP for Marketing
Christine Guevarra, Jam Liner and Philtranco’s President
 and CEO Dennise Trajano, Via Philippines’ Sales and
Marketing Manager  Maricar Chao and Via Philippines’
Finance Manager Leonora Wenceslao

Traveling is indeed becoming more fun in the Philippines with  Via Philippines, the Asia’s largest travel network, announces its partnership with two bus liner giants in the Philippines namely, Jam Liner and Philtranco Liner last Feb. 14, 2014 in the City of Manila.

This partnership is a step to more future partnership of Via Philippines in making a effective and efficient travel transactions such as online bus booking system, reservations or bookings can be done easily with just a few clicks away. Via’s accredited travel agencies would just simply input their point of origin and the destination and then, it’s done. Their clients don’t need to go through long queues in bus terminals and scramble to secure bus’ seats.

Skyscanner reveals the Best Time to Book for Filipinos

Traveling takes a big chunk of the typical Filipino vacation. Families and barkadas make it a point to go out-of-town or out of the country on holidays. With all these free days pre-marked on their calendars, it is important that they strategize so that they can book their flights at the lowest possible prices.

Skyscanner, a leading global travel search site, did a study on the millions of flights purchased by their customers over the past three years to arrive with the best time to book. The study shows that on average, 3-4 weeks in advance is the optimal time to book flights. This suggestion, however, depends on the type of flight you book or the airlines you book with. When traveling with a budget airline, prices are likely to go up as the day of the flight approaches. If traveling on long haul flights or for more than 5 hours, prices are likely to fluctuate as the flight day grows near, and this does not guarantee the best seats.

Manila Bay Resorts to rise in 2015

The Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment, Inc., (a subsidiary of Universal Entertainment Corporation, led by Japanese tycoon Mr. Okada, Kazuo) developer of the ambitious Manila Bay Resorts project, proudly shared its lofty goals in line with the ongoing construction of the 44-hectare facility to rise within the Entertainment City complex in Paranaque City come 2015. Top honchos president Masahiro Terada and vice president Kenji Sugiyama met with members of the press to share their ultimate vision for a huge and integrated resort with the three-hotel property (each a 15-storey-structure) bound to be home to the biggest casino in the country. The said Resort is touted as a natural, desirable addition to Manila Bay's cultural and commercial venues, with expectations of two plush hotels, a six-star and a five-star at that, and around 20 food and beverage destinations, retail and spa facilities, and residential properties.

Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu Tops Hot New Destinations List in 2013, According to Google, CNN

New Filipino-owned Swiss Hotel is Second Most Googled Destination in the Philippines

Filipino-owned Mӧvenpick Resort Cebu is the second most Googled destination in the Philippines, according to Google’s 2013 year-in-review search list. As first reported on CNN, the Zeitgeist is Google’s year-ender report and lists the hottest travel destinations by country.

The annual Google report captures the trends and interests of people all over the world, including new favorites among Filipinos.

Sky Ranch in Tagaytay and Tubbataha Reef in Puerto Princesa were ranked the first and the third respectively. Pico de Loro, Tugawe Cove Resort, Potipot Island, Amana Waterpark, Misibis Bay, Nuvali and Laiya resorts rounded up the ten spots that Filipinos were most interested in learning more about.