By Cebu Daily News

ROXAS CITY, Philippines–A Capiz provincial board member wants to capitalize on the province’s abundant seafood as a come-on for tourists.

In a privilege speech last Thursday, Provincial Board Member Alfonso Bediones Jr. appealed to hotels, resorts, restaurants and utility vehicle operators to improve their facilities and services to make Capiz more attractive to tourists.

Bediones noted that the tourism receipts of Capiz reached P592 million in 2006.

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By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net

FOR those visiting Hong Kong (it’s going to get colder there soon, which means it’s a good time to visit), here’s a cheaper way to the mainland city without taking the Airport Express.

After getting out of the airport, exit to the right and walk just right across to find the S1 bus stop. Hop on it, pay HKD3.50 and go down at the Tung Chung MTR station. From there, pay about HKD23-25 (depending on which station you’re going — Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, etc.) to get to the main city. At HKD30 or less, it beats the HKD75 you pay when taking the Airport Express.

I learned about this route last week, thanks to these two Filipino settlers in HK I met at the bus stop who graciously told me about it. Otherwise, I would’ve taken this other bus that goes all the way to the city but takes an hour and 20 minutes. From Tung Chung, it’s only about 20 minutes to the city.

The Airport Express gets you straight to MTR Central station in about 15 minutes but it costs some HKD75 — in peso terms times six you save at least P200. And you get to practice riding the MTR, one of the best city train systems anywhere in the world.

Also, remember to have coins ready because buses charge exact fare. Coins are a precious commodity when you’re traveling in Hong Kong.�

By Delmar Cariño
Inquirer

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet–Trade and tourism officials are pushing the “branding,” or formulation of taglines, as a new strategy to promote the province’s unique resources and attract more investments and tourists.

But the marketing approach, designed to sell the province’s potentials beyond its being the country’s “vegetable bowl,” is expected to stir some problems for tourism and local officials of Kibungan, one of the 13 towns being promoted.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) earlier cautioned local officials on wrong impressions created by “inappropriate branding.”

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HERE are interesting clips of a Filipino carinderia and sari-sari store in Osaka, Japan posted by jvtigno.

By Cebu Daily News

CEBU CITY, Philippines–Owners of pension houses and suites have organized themselves in a bid to upgrade the quality of rooms and facilities in Cebu.

“(We know) that pension houses play a vital role in Cebu’s tourism,” said Augustin L. Maramara, founding president of the Association of Pension Houses and Suites in Cebu Inc. (APHSCI).

Maramara said the continuous flow of tourists in Cebu makes hotel rooms in demand, often resulting in room shortage.

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By Anne Jambora
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–Leave your bag unattended in the airport departure lounge, freshen up in the powder room and return to find everything exactly where and how you left them.

In an ideal world maybe, and in countries where theft means the loss of one or more fingers.

But for those of us who live in less than ideal circumstances, the global brand Pacsafe may be the next best thing.

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By Jasmine W. Payo
Inquirer

BEIJING–at the heart of the exhibit hall of the 2007 China Dive exhibition is a luminous underwater photo mural that never fails to captivate visitors.

The mural is an image-based invitation to take a plunge in the Philippine seas. And judging by the queue at the booth that leads to the exhibition, indications are that the mural is doing its job as far as drawing the curiosity of foreign divers.

“Diving is a recreational sport; you need physical fitness to support your safety,” said Filipino-Chinese dive master Ding Bang Ho.

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By DJ Yap
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–Since opening four months ago, the “Gwapotel Inn” run by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has apparently delivered on its no-frills offer: Safe, decent lodgings for out-of-towners on a frugal budget.

And according to MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando, even white-collar types and traders have been checking in, taking advantage of the token charges: P20 for a night’s stay, a minimum of P5 for a bath.

More than 40,000 transients had a generally pleasant stay in the four-story “hotel’’ on Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila, since its opening last May 14, Fernando reported in a statement on Thursday.

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HERE’S a cool video of YouTube user maryeats’ visit last year to Seoul’s Little Manila market.

Just don’t blame us if this video makes you very hungry heh

By Gerald Gene R. Querubin
Inquirer

BOAC, Marinduque, Philippines–-People in the tiny, heart-shaped island of Marinduque welcome friends and visitors in a unique tradition befitting kings and queens in their own right.

Literally meaning coronation or to crown, the putong (also called tubong) is a song of thanksgiving and, at the same time, a wish and a prayer for a long, blessed life. It has remained one of the popular traditions in this deeply religious province.

The practice has been extended to visitors and guests as a gesture of hospitality. It is, in fact, a prayer for their success, health and prosperity, and has evolved into a song of love, respect, praise and thanksgiving.

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