Boracay Establishments Heed The Call For Voluntary Redevelopment

    The DOT Region VI office reported that among those which have complied are the Ambassador in Paradise and Seawind Beach Resort, both high-end resorts located at Brgy. Balabag. Ambassador in Paradise was the first resort to implement the clearing of the seawall built in front of the establishment that encroaches the easement. The clearing was made after the resort management attended the Consultation with the Business Cluster spearheaded by DOT Region VI last 17 January 2013, in which representatives of tourism establishments were advised to tear down the said structures to protect the area from further damage caused by sand erosions during south monsoon season. Other establishments located at Sitio Mangayad in Brgy. Balabag such as The Mandarin de Boracay Resort, Le Soleil de Boracay Beach Resort, Boracay Uptown, Chez de Paris Restaurant, and Nigi Nigi Nu Noos Resort also did their share by relocating fish bars and seafood display tables inside their respective establishments to allot space for the walkways. 

Early this year, the task force announced that several establishments were found to be not complying with the redevelopment plans for Boracay and were issued notices to act on the plan by the end of March. However, since the volume of tourists had peaked as early as February and continues to do so, the deadline was extended until after the summer season. 

The government task force enjoins the rest of the establishments concerned to comply with the voluntary redevelopment directive as soon as possible. The order pertains to the illegal structures, including embankments to prevent floods. The community was assured of an upcoming flood control project that will start soon and be completed within the year. 

“With the rise of tourism arrivals comes a heightened sense of protection and preservation of our natural resources. I am thankful that we already have the support of several stakeholders who understand the importance of sustainability. With the many international accolades the country is getting at the present, we cannot be complacent. We have just managed to breach the 1M visitor arrival mark in the first quarter leading towards our 5 million target this year. We can only be confident when we have the support of all stakeholders beyond Boracay in protecting the tourism assets in their respective destinations. This is definitely part of the more fun campaign, that is keeping the hosts proud and making sure our visitors are satisfied” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said.

Tourist Arrivals Bring “More Fun” With 1.27M Visitors In First Quarter!

      First quarter visitor arrivals reached 1.27 million, a 10.76 percent growth from last year’s 1.15 million for the same period. This marks the second time that foreign tourist arrivals breached the one-million mark in the first quarter, setting the pace for the Department of Tourism to reach its 5.5 million arrival target for 2013. The first quarter performance accounts for 23 percent of the target arrivals for the year.

Korea remains the leading visitor market, which captured 25.83% of the total inbound traffic with 328,454 arrivals, followed by the United States with 186,065 or 14.63% of the overall visitor volume. The Japanese market contributed the third biggest arrivals with 114,269 or 8.99%. Rounding up the top five visitor markets for the first quarter are China with 98,242 and Taiwan with 53,867 visitors. The Korean market rose by 23.93%, the highest among the top five major markets.

Other key markets contributing significant volume of arrivals include Australia with 53,679; Singapore with 41,524; Canada with 38,486; Hongkong with 36,005; United Kingdom with 32,475; Malaysia with 27,212; and Germany with 22,491.


Double-digit gains were recorded by the Russian Federation (26.9%), Hongkong (25.04%), Korea (23.93%), India (22.1%), Singapore (15.42%), Australia (12.65%), and Malaysia (11.86%). The ASEAN source markets grew 14.82% while East Asia increased by 14.15%.

Visitor arrivals for March 2013 also saw a double-digit increase of 11.28% with 417,392 visitors compared to the previous year’s volume of 375,083. For the fourth consecutive month since December 2012, the country has been surpassing the 400,000 visitor arrival mark. The upward trend may be attributed to the upcoming summer season, which is a peak season for the tourism industry.

“Month after month, we bear witness to a steady upward performance and new record highs. This only means that the efforts of the Department and its partners are bearing fruit. To achieve our 2013 target of 5.5 million and 2016 target of 10 million, the Department and its industry partners are actively working on stimulating greater demand overseas, while infrastructure agencies have committed to step up our convergence programs to facilitate entry and access to the different destinations in the country,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. said.

He added that the expansion and development of secondary gateways could ease the volume of traffic in the primary gateways of Manila and open the country to more visitors by bringing them closer to their end destinations. Significant investments in the air transportation, as well as in the accommodation sector, are seen to beef up capacities in the years to come.

“With key policy reforms such as the lifting of significant security concerns by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the rationalization of the Common Carriers Tax (CCT), the focus is shifted to the tangible areas such as connectivity and improvement of tourism products,” Secretary Jimenez concluded.

Walking Labyrinth Project - A Mindful Walking!

Dear brothers, sisters, friends,

It is a great joy to share with you a dream:
To build a walking labyrinth at Rizal Park/Luneta, and share with the public our practice of mindful walking.

With this creative and meditative project, we take our mindfulness practices beyond the comfort of our mats and cushions, work together as a Sangha, and contribute to society. Mindfulness is a beautiful gift to the public.

How you can help:
1. Volunteer to mindfully design and build the labyrinth
2. Sponsor materials that may be needed, such as smooth stones, signboards, colored chalk, art materials, etc.
3. Volunteer to lead/guide meditation sessions at the labyrinth

IF YOU WISH TO TAKE PART in this project:
Please contact Alon Payapa at 0927-9436429, or via Facebook.
You may also suggest ideas on how to better joyfully implement this project :)

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How will we work:

1. One of our sisters who was with us during the first Plum Village retreat in the Philippines, Julia Nebrija of MNL Moves, very passionate about urban community design, is our point person with the National Parks Development Committee, which in turns oversees the Rizal Park. She has discussed the project with the government agency and is in the process of ironing out details like dates and permits.

2. We will gather volunteers who are willing to brainstorm for the design and implementation of the walking labyrinth. This meeting will be like a group of classmates doing a school project. :)

3. We will schedule a day where volunteers will bring materials needed and build the labyrinth at Rizal Park (Art Park area). We also need to schedule an intimate and meaningful ceremony to open the labyrinth to the public, having sitting and walking meditation as very integral parts of the activity.

4. Around the walking labyrinth we wish to put up signboards with verses/calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh to contemplate on, such as "Peace is Every Step", "The Miracle is to Walk on Earth", "Walk as if your feet is kissing the earth", "Every step a breath", etc.

5. The walking labyrinth may be open to the public for a weekend/entire week. We may schedule time-slots for volunteers to lead and guide sitting and walking meditation sessions.

6. Wrapping up the walking labyrinth means that we can bring it to other parks and places! This is a start of a series :)

IF YOU WISH TO TAKE PART in this project:
Please contact Alon Payapa at 0927-9436429, or via Facebook.
You may also suggest ideas on how to better joyfully implement this project :)

More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/265956406881644/

The Photography Academy - Manila!

   The Photography Academy - Manila is the most prestigious Photography school in the Philippines with the mission to develop photographers who make a difference.

   

We are an academy, a community, an advocacy.

Join us.

Visit here: http://www.thephotographyacademymanila.com/ 

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thephotographyacademymanila 

Debut Album Of ZENDEE Titled “ I BELIEVE"!

Warner Music Philippines proudly announces the release of debut album of  ZENDEE titled “ I BELIEVE. ”

            The nine-track album features six original compositions and three cover songs.  The complete titles, composers, theme and concept of the songs are as follows:

“ Runaway ” is an upbeat, getting over / moving on love song with a current/new sound written by US-based songwriters and world-class composers Andrew Fromm, Matt Bronleewe, Jordan Pruitt, & Tyler Hayes.

“ The Ones You Love ” - a love song about heartache and “ Completely ” -  a ‘couples song’ were both written by Diane Eve Warren. Dianne is a US-based songwriter highly regarded worldwide as a hit maker with hundreds of hit songs under her belt.

“ I Believe ” - an inspirational love song with only the piano and vocals and “ If You Want ” -  the only love song in the album that has only a ukulele and vocals as accompaniment. This was written by Lamberto Reyes Jr.  who also composed songs for other Warner Music artists.

“ Go The Distance ” is an inspirational song which best exemplifies the journey of Zendee and at the same time showcasing her vocal prowess. Written by Alan Menken, David Joel Zippel.

“ Hallelujah ” written by Leonard Cohen, is an  ‘arena’ inspired sound which focus on Zendee’s  vocal prowess.

“ Love Takes Time ” written by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies is Zendee's version of this classic hit.

“ Runaway ” (acoustic)  is a stripped-down version of  ‘ Runaway. ’

The artistic and production team of  Zendee – “I Believe” is composed of  Flerry de Leon (Executive Producer), Neil Gregorio (Album Producer; A&R Direction),  Dante Tanedo (Chief Recording Engineer),  Dan Tanedo, Angee Rozul, & Efren San Pedro (Additional Recording),  Dante Tanedo (Song Mixing @ Bellhaus Entertainment Studio); Neil Gregorio (Song Sequence and Mastering), Arnie Mendaros, Moy Ortiz & Neil Gregorio (Vocal Supervision),  Niccolo Cosme (Photography), and Ira Cosme (Cover Layout).

I Believe is now available at all your favorite record stores on iTunes.

            To get Zendee’s ringback tones, just text ZENDEE to 2447 for SMART subscribers and you can also visit www.pressplay.ph.

A mall tour, special TV guest appearances and radio interviews will also be conducted to prmote the album.

Zendee will perform as the special guest artist of Jason Mraz on his concert on May 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

            Can’t get enough of Zendee? Follow her via the following social networking sites below.

Live And Have Fun Under The Sun With No Worries With NISCE Skin And Face!

     

    More than any season, summer is the peak of skin problems especially today that heat seems to scorch more each time you go out. Noticeable high temperature threatens each stroller to spend time outdoors. And not just that for it’s also an opportunity to show off well worked out body or a sexy one, so to speak. 

Common problems these days are sunburn and how to confidently carry yourself in a swimwear showing a little skin when plunging to the beach. Nisce Skin ‘n Face’s brand ambassadors Luke Landrigan and Luke Jickain both give a gist to enjoy lively sun to the fullest. 

  If you’re someone who loves to go out a lot, Nisce’s sun screen is committed to deliver high quality protection and provides nourish to skin. “Nisce’s Superblock SPF 80 is my sports buddy whenever I go surfing and do other under-the-sun activities”, surf champion and Nisce Superblock ambassador, Luke Landrigan shares. 

   
 He recommends Nisce Superblock for it has (sun protection factor) SPF 80 which means it is advisable for outdoor and prolonged exposure in the sun. Added to the efficiency is its broad spectrum sunscreen which means it reduces the risk of skin cancer and slows down the skin aging process. 

Among any other sun protection, Nisce Superblock has the same potency for both face and body so it is convenient. No need to carry extra load in your bag. It’s also waterproof for longer effect. As for Luke, he needs sunscreen that will not wash away easily. What's more is, it’s non-greasy that means more you won’t be minding sticky feeling and just indulge yourself to summer activities. 

  “As a model, I must maintain my well contoured and shaped body. I always make sure I’m getting the right and balanced diet, enough sleep, and a routine of exercise. This lifestyle is hard to sustain that’s why Nisce is helping me out. They have Radio Frequency to care my look”, celebrity model with Filipino-French descent Jickain said.

    Let’s accept it. Lesser fabric is a trend during summer. But how would you confidently walk to the beach with your swimwear on? It might be a challenge for someone who is hiding heavy load and bulging fats. Will you dare show it off or remain covered?

It is not a sin for a man to care for how they look especially when your image is at stake. Non-surgical Slimming Radio Frequency Contour is guaranteed safe, painless, and gentle that provides long-term and natural look. It uses high frequency current through the multipolar poles, gradually increasing skin temperature. Radio Frequency effectively increases metabolism and flash out fatty fluids. Some benefits of multipolar RF are, it is non-surgical and non-invasive, and you get to observe immediate visible result after the first session. 

Never be hindered with bulky insecurities inside your tummy and fear of being toasted. Clothe yourself with confidence with the help of Nisce Skin ‘n Face, the beauty and wellness chain that hand concern to your problem. So, ladies and gentlemen, plunge into the beautiful summer and enjoy! 

Visit here: http://www.nisceskin.com
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NisceSkin
On Twitter: www.twitter.com/Nisceskin

Chat Na Pa-Text-Text Lang With SUN IMessenger!

       Chatting need not be expensive, connecting with  family and friends is fast and easy, no need to go online, just with your basic mobile phone, you can now avail this service from Sun's new IMessenger!

Sun iMessenger is an SMS chat service that allows Sun mobile phones to go online on FB, Google,YM, MSN, AOL, and ICQ. Text Buy Day to 2746 to get your P20 Unlimited subscription. For more details, Text SUNIM to 2746!

Chatting over the Internet is a convenient and practical way to communicate with friends or loved ones who are far and away. But how do you stay connected when you’re on the go and there are no Wi-Fi hotspots, no internet cafes, or your phone’s not enrolled in a data plan? Let Sun iMessenger save the day!

What’s great about Sun iMessenger is that users do not have to connect to the Internet to be able to chat with their online buddies. They simply receive chat messages in form of a text message, and reply to these messages through text as well.

Sun IM aims to empower people by offering unlimited chat experience that enables them to stay connected to their family, friends, and loved ones both here in the Philippines and abroad. Sun IM is also bent in improving its services and adding new features to suit the needs of its ever-growing market.

It currently has a network of 1.5 million subscribers.

For as low as P20 a day, you can get an UNLIMITED CHAT EXPERIENCE that’s as EASY as TEXTING! SIGN UP NOW and get one (1) Day FREE trial!

Visit here: http://www.sim.ph/home
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sun.imessenger
On Twitter: @sunimessenger