Singing Christmas Carols in December

Christmas season in the Philippines is highly anticipated by school-age children as an open season to singing Christmas carols and earn extra money each night with their friends by standing in every one’s front doors. Adults love hearing children sing Christmas carols simply because Christmas is here, a time for joy, a time for merriment, a time for renewal of virtues for peaceful happier and prosperous life. Virtuous way of life is exulted through Christian melodies of songs and sounds.

Cool Mountain Vacations

Witness the vast expanse of nature's splendor under the spell of cool mountain breeze. A perfect setting for romance or nature tripping, the country's mountain villages serve as a perfect hideaway from the lowlands' summer heat. Rising 1,500 meters above the sea, Baguio City enjoys a relatively cool weather throughout the year. Baguio is at least eight degrees cooler than any place in the lowlands thus becoming the "summer capital" of the country. With an altitude of 225 meters above sea level, Tagaytay City enjoys a cool climate all year round and its just some 56 kilometers south of Manila. A pastoral upland valley, Sagada provides an endless expanse of mountain ranges which are clothed by fogs in the early morning. Another popular destination, specially during the Lent period, is Mount Banahaw, an extinct volcano which rises 2,100 meters above sea level.

Philippines top diving scuba vacation destinations

The best scuba diving vacation destinations in the Philippines are located in Subic bay, Anilao Batangas, Puerto Galera in Mindoro, Boracay in Panay Negros, Mactan, Malapascua and Moalboal in Cebu, Panglao and Balicasag in Bohol, Bacuit Bay or El Nido and Coron Bay in Palawan. The dive industry here is well run and there is no shortage of great and diverse dive destinations to choose from. Philippines diving scuba vacation sites

Island Vacation in the Philippines - Destination and Vacations Guide

7,107 Island Vacations The Philippines has 7,107 islands ready for your island vacation plans. The coastal and beach zones of the Philippines are composed of 11,000 square kilometers of land and 267,000 square kilometers of coastal waters, many of them featuring pristine beaches. The three major island groupings are Luzon (7 regions, 38 provinces), Visayas (3 regions, 16 provinces), and Mindanao (6 regions, 25 provinces). Luzon, with a total land area of 104,688 square kilometers is the world's 17th largest island (excluding continental masses of lands). Listed as the 19th largest island is Mindanao, with a land area of 94,631 square kilometers." Island Vacation in the Philippines - Destination and Vacations Guide

Soft opening for the Fisherman's Wharf is scheduled this month. Just in time for the Formula 3 racing? 

Soon it is F3 racing time again .... 

Asia's minstrels light up the Magic Kingdom

THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE ON earth have found fertile ground in the happiest place on earth. Filipinos, working either as talents, bartenders, park attendants or management executives, are among the 5,000 or so cast members helping create magic in the newly opened Hong Kong Disneyland in HK's verdant Lantau Island. One of the most prominent Pinoy executives is Bobby Garcia, erstwhile resident director of Atlantis Productions and now the show director of the Disney theme park. As such, he is creatively in charge of all live entertainment in the park, from Broadway-style shows such as 'The Golden Mickeys,' the daily afternoon parades down Main Street, to the general atmosphere of the resort. Another Filipino who is thriving in the Magic Kingdom is Wendy Panganiban, a former Ballet Philippines dancer who moved to HK Ballet. The HK Disneyland auditions proved to be her second wind. She auditioned in January this year, and by June she was rehearsing with the cast of "The Festival of the Lion King," a spectacular, 45-minute Broadway-style show which was making its debut in HK Disneyland. Her part: the mythical spirit bird that soars across the theater as Simba and Nala sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." The show is headlined by African-Americans, but its two dance captains are Filipino: Panganiban herself, and Jaime del Prado (of Trumpets and Repertory Philippines). There are 20 other Pinoys in the ensemble, mostly products of dance companies in Manila. Working with Disney has been a very rewarding experience, says Panganiban. "They're very easy to work with, and they take good care of their staff. They always think of my safety first. Everything is computerized in our show, and if the winch [the device connected to her harness] is off by a few seconds, they won't let me fly." A bigger show in terms of showcasing Filipino talent is "The Golden Mickeys," a 30-minute awards-style pageant that celebrates Disney's most memorable films, songs and characters. It goes onstage several times a day at the Storybook Theater in Fantasyland. Here, nearly all the major vocal parts are played by Filipino performers. "The exodus of Filipino talents to Disneyland can do nothing but good for us," says Garcia. "It will allow others back home to shine, while we here will go back with new experiences. More than anything, the quality we look for in a Disney cast member is joy in telling a story. And we Filipinos understand this very well." More .... Asia's minstrels light up the Magic Kingdom - INQ7.net: "Magic Kingdom

'Travel in Light': Satisfy the senses and the soul - INQ7.net

ENRICH your travel experience. Explore the outer world as you discover the world within. Make every step of your journey a leap of faith. Over coffee and brunch on this relaxed weekend morning, Ureta, author and publisher of the recently launched travel anthology, “A Pilgrim’s Diary: Passages and Inner Landscapes,” will lead participants in an engaging discussion on how traveling can be an activity for spiritual growth and “globalizing the mind. “Traveling, for me, is a never-ending source of unfamiliar joy and this book is its celebration,” says Ureta. “Traveling alone gives you a different perspective of life. There is magic in solitude. When I travel by myself to a distant place, I realize that discovery and transformation are indistinguishable gifts that always come in pairs -- and this is something I’d like to share with fellow travel bugs. more from inq7

A1 Hong Kong Travel Guide

Welcome to Hong Kong, city of life, and one of the most energetic places in the world. This hustle and bustle affects everyone when they arrive in Hong Kong. It is rush hour before you even clear customs. A motley crew of fishing junks and an assortment of paddy fields blossomed into one of the major cities of the Far East, in only a few generations. Today Hong Kong harbour bristles with sky-scraping success, and even with the economic wobbles since the 1997 handover the skyline changes noticeably every year.

Hong Kong Sights and Landmarks

Hong Kong can be one of the most riveting and unexpectedly beautiful urban spectacles on earth. A two-minute walk from the bustle of Central reveals a harbour view that the architectural boom of the 1980s and 1990s.

Travel Guide to Hong Kong islands

Hong Kong is a popular tourist destination as well as being one of the world’s major business centres and comprises Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the many Outlying Islands.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland is a theme park at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Nestled on a bay against a backdrop of green hills on Lantau Island in the South China Sea, the 310-acre park is 10 minutes by light rail from the international airport and 24 minutes from Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Shopping

If Hong Kong is the ‘City of Life’, then life is a mall. There can be few places with more ships per square metre than Hong Kong &ndash because shops are everywhere. For years Hong Kong was is still is the major spot for shopaholics. The prime shopping areas are bedlam at weekends and merely chaotic during the rest of the week.

Hong Kong Hotels and Accommodation

The hotels themselves are a reflection of Hong Kong – modern, compact, energetic and efficient – with service just a bit too rushed. Expect staff to be hurried and doing several things at once. Hong Kong Disneyland Park isn't the only star on the scene for vacation-minded families in Asia. The magical theme park -- Disney's first-ever in China -- comes with its own supporting cast of two magnificently-themed hotels -- Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel.

Hong Kong Street Maps

From premier online map store; interactive Hong Kong maps; useful information on aspects like shopping, dining and transport; great source of local information as well as a variety of sightseeing opportunities; popular online digital map of Hong Kong; basic geographic facts; and political map, comprehensive data, and flag from the CIA World Factbook.

Hong Kong Food and Dining

When it comes to restaurants little needs to be said – the dining is predictably excellent. Yet it can also be very cheap and whatever your budget the food is good. The Cantonese may be a tolerant bunch but not when it comes to poor cuisine. Hotel restaurants are right up there, their menus bulging with world-class culinary indulgences.

Hong Kong Weather

Hong Kong is a place that loses nothing with the seasons, but it can get uncomfortably humid in the summer months, and the monsoons between July and September can put a damper on things. September through April is the time to come although it can get a tad chilly in January and February.

Hong Kong Festivals and Public Holidays

A festival in Hong Kong is a major event on a scale hardly understood in the West. During Chinese New Year festivities, there is total disruption of everyday life.

China travel information

For those wanting to proceed to Mainland China we provide the following China travel information. From visas, customs, GMT + 8 hours, Renminbi (RMB) or Yuan; tipping is not standard practice in China; official language is Mandarin Chinese; English is not widely spoken; international dialing code for China is 86; etc

A1A Philippine Vacation Guide

A One Philippine Travel Vacation Guide

More than 7,000 islands offer you over 70 times 7 reasons to be exited and happy about in your Philippine travel vacation.

Whatever motivates you – sun-drenching in white beaches, snorkeling underwater, hiking cliffs and valleys, climbing mountains and volcanoes, trailing rivers and waterfalls, seeing wild games in the forest – Philippine travel has more than you can expect beyond food and entertainment.

Immersed in 400 years of colorful European heritage, enriched with cross-cultural ties with Chinese and Malays and emerged with American influence, the country of 80 million strikes a wonderful balance with moral and cultural exquisites – and skin colors.

In the middle of the sea or in the middle of nowhere, or along the deep, the shores or the mountains, in the middle of cities and towns, there’s a lot of activities for education and adventure, fun and relaxation.

How far you can go, there’s always a value for your budget. Always there is a place to find an answer, and also much much more - in the shopping malls. Give it a shot. The Philippines is a place you can easily call home sweet home.

Travel Philippine News Link

Get your favourite Philippine News from here. Real time Philippine News Links and Feeds. And links to several major Philippine NewsPapers and many regional online news.

Philippine Beach Vacations Travel

Over 7,000 islands, powerful waves of the Pacific, crystal waters of the China Sea, serene shallow waters of the inland seas. Hills, valleys and mountains.

Of every feature, of every beauty, of every finest white sand, is a single purpose – a fantastic beach vacation!

The Philippines is the world’s beach vacation capital in Asia’s side of the earth!

Philippine Scuba Diving Vacations

In the snowy hinterlands of Switzerland, they make the best chocolate the world has ever known. Better than skiing?

In the Philippines they only make the very best they could!

Philippine Travel Scuba Diving Vacations.

 

Philippine Mountain Climbing Vacations Trekking and Hiking Travel

Only through hiking and trekking vacations can bring you places where crystal rivers plunge over water falls and and meet ancient tribesmen living in pristine forest sanctuaries.

Enjoy the panorama of cliffs that tower above crashing ocean surfs, virgin forests, cold moutain rivers, mossy jungles, and cloudy mountain ridges.
Join hiking and trekking vacations to experience the natural high of conquering the heights of Mt. Apo and the eerie moonscape of Mt. Pinatubo.

Cultural Heritage Vacations Philippine Travel

From the marvelous wilderness in marine eco-system of the Tubbataha Reef Heritage in the island of Palawan to the breathtaking wonders of the five major rice terraces of Ifugao Heritage atop the Mountain Province.

Philippine Baroque Churches

From Vigan's artistic fusion of Asian design and construction with that of European colonial heritage; to the Philippine churches’ interesting blend and adaptation with that of Baroque architecture.

Philippine EcoTourism Travel Guide

Experience living in wildlife safari with giraffes, zebras, deer peacocks, impalas and other games in a forested wonderland of Calauit Island. Venture to the southern tip of Luzon and exhilarate at the breathtaking sights of whales emerging from the deep.

Plunge into these waters and interact with gentle giants of the ocean as they return home to the teeming submarine fauna of Donsol Sorsogon. Walk into the Crocodile Park and feed these meat hungry reptiles.

Meet eye to eye with the world’s smallest monkey with nocturnal big round eyes. Hear the songs of birds and marvel at their rich variety, amazing colors, and impressive behaviors - the Philippine Eagle, the kakatoe, the Indonesian parrots and other exotic birds.

All these remarkable travels will turn your vacation into a wholesome adventure.The game preserve and wildlife sanctuary on Calauit Island. Whale shark watching in Donsol, Sorsogon. The smallest monkey in the world. Crocodile Park, Philippine sea eagle to kakatoe and Indonesian parrots.

Philippine Travel Information

You will certainly need a valid passport and onward/return ticket or proof of funds such as credit cards. Find out more.

Macau Roadshow in Manila Philippines

Recently, the Macau Government Tourist Office-Philippines hosted Macau Week featuring a trade exhibit and food festival. At the food festival, three chefs from Macau's famed tourism school, Instituto de Formacao Turistico (IFT), were flown in. They regaled the guests with authentic Macanese delights including Salad of Pig's Ear with Coriander; Bacalhau or Portuguese cod, Caldo Verde - Potato and Kale Soup; African Chicken; and the famed Portuguese Egg Tartlets, washed down with an array of Portuguese wines. A former Portuguese colony and now a Special Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, Macau enjoys cookery that is an amalgam of the tastes of the mother country as well as of Portugal's former colonies in India and Africa, among others. At the crossroads of seafaring traders from Europe and China, the island enclave inevitably incorporated the spices, herbs and vegetables of the Old World and Asia into what has become its unique cuisine today. The Macau Roadshow featured an interactive exhibit of the varied attractions of Macau and its islands of Taipa and Coloane. Guests enjoyed samplings of delicacies, such as almond cookies, egg tartlets, soy bean curd and wine while artisans demonstrated different arts and crafts. Film showings and performances of the 24-member Macau Dance Troupe were held at regular intervals, attracting even more crowds. More from INQ7

Hong Kong Disneyland's Tech Tricks behind the Show

The uniqueness of Hong Kong Disneyland is in the technology of its rides, according to Walt Disney creative development vice president Tom Morris. He thinks that Hong Kong Disneyland is not comparatively small but it benefits a lot from new technology. Space Mountain is the safest, fastest and smoothest rollercoaster ride anywhere, Morris said, with the latest sound and visual effects. Hong Kong Disneyland boasts the most sophisticated computer-aided system compared with Walt Disney's five other theme parks. Step into the indoor rollercoaster and you'll hear the sound is so clear. Space Mountain is however not the most exciting rollercoaster in the territory - but it is second to some of the heart- stopping attractions at rival Ocean Park. Complicated technology, however, leads to more breakdowns. Reports say that the most tech-savvy rides - Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear and Winnie the Pooh - are having frequent "incidents". Space Mountain still had problems during its last dry run Sunday morning. Other attractions rely on more tried-and-tested technology. In the three- dimensional animated film attraction, Mickey's PhilharMagic, characters including the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and the Lion King leap into the audience with the aid of 3-D "opera glasses"; worn by patrons - which were popular for a time in the late 1950s. And when a baked cake appears on the screen, the audience also smells it. Shots of the ocean are accompanied by sprays of water. The effects are generated by special boxes installed in front of the seats, senior Disney show writer Dave Fisher said.

But,of course, you don't think about the technology when you are enjoying the experience. The main feature of Hong Kong Disneyland is its park design. The trees are unique to a Disney park and are from Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia.

More from thestandard

Hong Kong Travel Guide

Hong Kong Travel Guide Welcome to Hong Kong, city of life, and one of the most energetic places in the world. This hustle and bustle affects everyone when they arrive in Hong Kong. It is rush hour before you even clear customs. Hong Kong Travel Guide: "

Macau Movie and Virtual Tours

If you cannot come to Macau (yet) then let Macau come to you. Here we present a virtual tour de force of Macau. Movies and Quicktime VR. Check out our Macau Tower Skywalk or our Macau Tower Mast Climb

Macau Yearbook 2004

"Macao Yearbook 2004" is an annual publication by the Government Information Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR). Year by year, it outlines major events, details of progress achieved, and changes made in the course of Macao's political, economic, social and cultural development. The Macao Yearbook has been published annually since 2002, with the aim of promoting Macao and providing detailed information and data for all who wish to study and understand Macao. The 568-page "Macao Yearbook 2004" is divided into five sections: Administrative Priorities of the MSAR Government in 2003; Calendar of Events in 2003; Review of the MSAR in 2003; Overview of the Macao SAR; and Appendices. In this edition, the Review of the MSAR in 2003 records all the major developments and changes in administrative, legislative and judicial areas in Macao during the year. The Overview of the MSAR continues to provide a source of data and information covering the political and administrative system; the legal and judicial system; external relations; the economy; tourism; public order; education; culture and sport; health and social welfare; media, communications and information technology; land, infrastructure, housing and public utilities; transport; geography, environment and population; religion and customs; and history. To cater for the community's needs, coverage of the gaming industry has been suitably extended and now forms a separate chapter from the overview of the economy. In general, the Overview of the MSAR emphasises the presentation of information in a systematic and integrated manner. To highlight the city's development, the MSAR Government Information Bureau jointly organised a photography competition, entitled "New Faces of Macao", with eight local photography organisations in early 2004. This Yearbook is enhanced with more than 30 winning photographs from the competition. "Macao Yearbook 2004" is separately published in Chinese, Portuguese and English. The book retails at a price of just 120 patacas/Hong Kong dollars. In Macao, the three different language editions of "Macao Yearbook 2004" are on sale at the Macau Cultural Plaza, Sing Kwong Bookshop, the Portuguese Bookshop (Livraria Portuguesa), Wan Tat Bookshop, Elite Bookstore, One Bookshop, and Universal Bookshop, as well as at the Philatelic Division and following branches of the Macao Post Office (Macao Post): Rua do Campo, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Macao International Airport, Nova Taipa. In addition, "Macao Yearbook 2004" can also be purchased at the Government Printing Bureau and its outlet at the Public Administrative Building on Rua do Campo. In Hong Kong, the three separate language editions of Macao Yearbook 2004 are on sale at the Commercial Press (HK) Ltd bookshops the Cosmos Books Ltd. A 20% discount will be given on any purchase of "Macao Yearbook 2004", meanwhile, purchase of "Macao Yearbook 2003" and "Macao Yearbook 2002" will be given a 50% discount during the period between 13 November 2004 and 31 March 2005. Overseas subscribers who are interested in the Yearbook can buy the publication through Macao Post. The Government Information Bureau has signed a sales agreement with Macao Post that handles overseas orders. Subscribers can pay for the Yearbook by credit card. Macao Post will charge postage fees. Subscribers can know more details of the subscriptions by telephone at (853) 329490, by fax at (853) 3968603 or by e-mail to: mpost8@macau.ctm.net.

Wynn Resort Macau to hire 4,000 employees

As reported by Xinhuanet Macau's scorching gaming business is keeping booming, as the latest official statistics showed that this year's gambling revenue reached 29.8 billion patacas (US$3.73 billion) by August, a year-on-year rise of 14 percent. "On the casino gold rush, international hands are seeking more play. "The Las Vegas gaming giant Wynn Resort Tuesday vowed to hire some 4,000 employees for its Macau project. "…What is bolting the international tycoons' confidence? "Macau's gaming sector last year saw a total revenue of five billion US dollars, up 40 percent over the 2003, and only a shade behind Las Vegas' 5.2 billion. "Behind the rocketing jump is a growing stream of visitors from the Chinese mainland, as mainlanders arrivals more than doubled between 2002 and 2004…"

Promoting the Philippines As Health Destination

Monday September 5, Dept Of Tourism Promotes Philippines As Health Destination MANILA, Sept 5 Asia Pulse - The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) recently joined the biggest travel show in Hong Kong to further boost promotion of the Philippines as a health and wellness destination. The annual International Tourism Expo (ITE), now on its 19th year, has always been a perfect venue for travel suppliers from all over the world to meet with Asian exhibitors and hosted buyers worldwide. The Philippines carried its latest banner slogan WOW Philippines More that the Usual Feel Good, Look Good. 'The DOT is pushing an aggressive campaign with the private sector to develop the country as a health and wellness holiday destination,' said Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano. Some 22 representatives from the countrys travel industry, mostly those catering to health and wellness tourists, participated in the event. A large number of visitors flocked the 36-square-meter joint booth of the DOT and Philippine Airlines, which highlighted the controlling theme of Filipino style of hearty living of the mind, body and soul. During the event, the DOT organized travel seminars and a presentation of the 'Traditional Filipino Healing Modalities' as a unique Philippine spa experience. Demonstration on 'hilot', a hand-massage and 'dagdagay', a foot massage using two sticks and exotic island concoctions of the Philippine virgin coconut oil, were also done. Hailed as the hub for Asian outbound buyers and international sellers for 19 years, the expo was supported by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the Hong Kong tourism Board (HKTB), Macau Government Tourism Office and other tourism bureaus and trade associations. (PNA)"

‘LUTONG MACAU’ A taste of Macanese delights

:: Welcome to Manila Bulletin Online :: ‘LUTONG MACAU’ A taste of Macanese delights By LAI SUAREZ–REYES When a Macanese invites you for lunch, don’t show up at 12 noon... that’s too early! Lunchtime in Macau starts at 1 p.m., and surprisingly this was observed during the media launch of the “Macau Food Festival” at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. Well, the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Philippines had good reasons to keep their guests in waiting. For one, the Macanese culinary delights (which taste so good) were whipped up fresh by chefs Chon Kin Kei, Wong Man Su and David Wong of the Macau Institute of Tourism Studies. "These culinary geniuses are in Manila to give Filipinos a ‘taste’ of Macau," said Narz Lim, MGTO Phils. general manager, while digging into chef David’s salad with pig’s ear and coriander. This dish is of Portuguese origin and very popular in Macau. "The dressing is made of fresh lemons marinated in salt for over a month (then washed off and finely chopped) with extra virgin olive oil," explained chef David. There are three distinct cuisines in the former Portuguese colony — Chinese, Macanese and Portuguese. The Chinese cuisine is pretty much as we know it although it tends to be spicy, mostly likely influenced by flavors and spices common to Portuguese dishes. Macau’s cuisine is heavily influenced by Portugal, having been its colony for many centuries before it became a Special Autonomous Region in 1999 of the People’s Republic of China. According to chef David, a signature Macanese dish is the Caldo Verde. The thick green broth, which is made of pureed potatoes and kale, gets its distinct flavor from the Portuguese chorizo. "This soup is served in practically all restaurants in Macau," noted chef David. Another popular appetizer is the deep–fried bacalhau balls... salted codfish with potatoes, corriander, and other spices. "We brought in pints of Portuguese chorizo and 50 kilos of Bacalhau from Macau especially for this food festival," he relates. Main course is the flavorful African Chicken. This dish betrays its inspiration, lavished with plenty of herbs and spices from Mozambique and Angola. A fresh spring chicken is marinated in coconut juice, herbs and spices and grilled to perfection. This dish is best relished with Portuguese wines. "The famous wines of Portugal, widely found and enjoyed in Macau, will be served during the Macau Food Festival," says Thomas Naegeli, F&B director of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel. Portuguese egg tartlets capped our meal. The small, round flaky pastry tart filled with a sweet egg cream is simply irresistible. You too can have a taste of Macau as Edsa Shangri-La Hotel lays out an array of superb culinary specialties for lunch and dinner for the "Macau Food Festival" on Sept. 2 to 8, at the Garden Cafe. The celebration carries on to the atrium at the Shangri-La Plaza, Sept. 24, where a Macau Roadshow unfolds, to afford visitors a closer look at the sights, sounds and tastes of Macau. There will be film showings, performances of the 24-member Macau Dance Troupe, artisans demonstrating various arts and crafts, and free samplings of Macanese delicacies (recipes below) and wines. BAKED CRAB MEAT IN SHELL Ingredients: 1.2kg crab meat 350g onion 4 pcs sliced ham 420g mushroom 40g red pimentos 25g butter 700ml Bechamel sauce 4 pcs egg cheese bread crumb salt and pepper to taste Procedure: Separate crab meat from shell. Clean the crab meat and boil together with ginger, onion, bay leaf and lemon. Coarsely chop onion, garlic, ham, mushroom and red pimentos. Sautee the chopped veggies and then add crab meat to fry, put in salt, pepper and cheese, stir until cheese dissolve. Pour in Bechamel sauce to mix. Portion the mixture onto a crab shell, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with bread crumb and cheese. Put in the oven and bake until golden brown.

The beauty of (Philippine) beaches and hills

Saturday, September 03, 2005 The beauty of beaches and hills (Last of two parts) WHILE most beaches around Metro Manila may not be as pristine as their counterparts in the southern islands, nevertheless they offer the important advantage of being located just within two hours' drive from the city. Many of these tourist attractions are part of the coastlines of the Cavite and Batangas, two provinces which together with Laguna, Rizal and Quezon form the Calabarzon, rapidly emerging as one of the country's prime industrial area. If you are in the export-import business in particular, chances are you will be visiting this economic zone and you can take make the most of the trip by driving just a few miles further to experience the sea and sand. One of Cavite's top beach resorts is the Puerto Azul Beach Hotel. Located about one and a half hours' drive from Manila, the hotel is surrounded by various sports and recreational facilities of the adjacent country club that includes a tournament class 18-hole golf course. As part of the Grand Hotels group which includes Manila's Philippine Village airport hotel and the Grand Boulevard Hotel on Roxas Boulevard, convenient shuttle services are offered to and from Puerto Azul and the Manila properties. Tour packages are also available. If you go further along the coast, you will soon reach the Caylabne Bay Resort. The resort has an all-suite hotel spread out over seven hillside structures with only two suites on every floor for maximum space, privacy and convenience. Selected suites boast of sun decks with private jacuzzis that enable guests to enjoy the whirlpools while gazing at a spectacular view of the bay. Children are a high priority at Caylabne where specially prepared activities like puppet shows and sand castle building are part of the itinerary for kids from ages four to 12-a perfect excuse for parents who wish to get away from their offspring for a few hours. If you rather see a diver's kingdom, Batangas is the better option. Like Cavite, various resorts dot Batangas' coastline and finding one that meets your budgets is not a problem. An hour and 45 minutes travel time will lead you to the Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel, one of the most popular and reasonably priced resorts in the area. The resort's main attraction is lunch on a bamboo raft right on the waters. Calatagans' famous beach resort, Punta Baluarte, has made a comeback. The new owners promise to restore its former glory, which at its heyday has even surpassed Puerto Azul's fame. Like the Cavite resort, it is built into tiers along the mountain side and also offers a jeepney shuttle service to go around the resort area. The town of Nasugbu is home and jump off point to several white sand beaches. Visitors usually park their vehicles for a nominal fee at the Wawa port to take a 20-minute banca ride to excellent resorts like White Sands, Maya-Maya, Munting Buhangin and other island coves. Accommodation ranges from simple picnic huts to bamboo cottages complete with bedding and modern plumbing. Be prepared to get soaked when traveling to these resorts. Not all boats can dock right on the sand (especially diving high tide) and thus you may need to wade anywhere from ankle-to waist-deep waters to reach the shore. It is also wise to keep your valuables and dry clothing in a waterproof bag. If you are not planning to stay for the night, don't forget to make pick-up time arrangements with the boatman. In Batangas, Anilao is synonymous for diving haunts. Vistamar is one of its first-class dive resorts that rent out equipment and hold diving instructions classes. Nearer the northernmost part of Luzon and at least an hour's plane ride from Manila, a long stretch of coastline marks the west side of Ilocandia region. The black sands are reputed to have therapeutic effects on the skin and resorts like Agoo Playa and Cresta del Mar usually encourage guests to literally get buried neck-deep in the fine grains. Towards southern Luzon, the islands of Mindoro and Palawan are also favorite haunts for beach bums. There are several resorts offers rooms and amenities that suit every budget. In Mindoro's Puerto Galera beach front, Coco Beach stands out as the most luxurious. It equivalent in Palawan are El Nido on Miniloc island and Club Paradise in northern Palawan. Both are still largely unspoiled. You need not go father than Cebu's international Mactan airport to see the beach. Just a few minutes away is the Shangri-La Mactan Island Hotel, which combines five-star accommodation with beach amenities. Nearby is the Argao Beach Club, which offers almost every conceivable water sport equipment, even down to a glass bottomed boat for viewing the sea's riches without getting your feet wet. Also on Mactan Island are the Mary Cielo Resort and the Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, which also offer comprehensive aqua sport and recreational facilities. Southwest of Cebu city is the Green Island Golf and Beach Resort. The amenities are of international standards and golf enthusiasts are sure to enjoy the 18-hole par 72 course. Perhaps the most famous beach destination in these parts of the archipelago is Boracay Island. It has been dubbed as one of the best beaches in the world and justifiably so. The water is so clear and the white sand so fine that except for the seasonal crowd, the growing number of resort complexes and the reduced population of its seashells that once were scattered on the coast, Boracay today still offers the same raw natural beauty that has charmed the backpackers who have first discovered the island. If money is no object, Club Panoly Resort with its international standard facilities is well recommended. It is located on the northern tip of the island and offers more privacy that the other resorts which are located close to each other. Other reputable resorts include Fridays', Sandcastles, Cocomangas Beach, Laguna De Boracay, Lorenzo Beach, Mistral Beach, Marimar Boracay, Boracay Beach and Yacht Club, Pam Beach, Palomar, Paradise Garden, Paradise Lodge, Pearl of the Pacific, Pink Patio and red Coconut. Located closer to Panay Island, Boracay is as accessible from Iloilo, Manila or Cebu. If you must visit the island in January, be sure to book several months ahead as most locals are wont to combine their Boracay holidays with a stopover in the town of Kalibo in Aklan and join in the celebrations of its mardi gras-like fiesta called Ati-Atihan. From Iloilo City, you can take a bus to Caticlan. Take a ferry to upon reaching Caticlan. The trip takes five hours. Fast becoming a byword as a beach heaven is Mindanao's Dakak, which is a private resort village. Coconut palms, exotic flowers, crystal clear waters and a dense forest carved with several hiking trails are part of its allures. As the name suggests, the Pearl Farm Beach Resort was once used to cultivate pearls. It has been renovated into a private retreat featuring unique Samal stilt houses for accommodations The Muslim motif is used liberally to add charm to the resort's offerings. (September 3, 2005 issue)

Popular Philippine Festivals and Fiesta

The fiesta is part and parcel of Filipino culture. Through good times and bad times, the fiesta must go on. Each city and barrio has at least one local festival of its own, usually on the feast of its patron saint, so that there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. But the biggest and most elaborate festival of all is Christmas, a season celebrated with all the pomp and pageantry the fun-loving Filipino can manage.

Macau Now a Haven for Portugal banks - from The Standard

Friday, September 02, 2005 Portuguese banks are moving client accounts to Macau from the Atlantic Ocean islands of Madeira to keep them out of reach of prying European tax collectors. Ironically, the development comes just as Macau pares back the incentives it offers overseas companies to register in the SAR in response to protests from Hong Kong about lost tax revenue. Two of Portugal's four biggest banks, Caixa Geral de Depositos (CGD) and Banco Portugues de Investimentos (BPI), set up offshore branches in Macau this summer, according to official government gazette announcements. Within just 17 days of receiving approval to operate in Macau, the CGD branch had assets of 8.91 billion patacas (HK$8.65 billion). Time deposits made up 91 percent of its funds. CGD moved the money to Macau just on the eve of new EU regulations requiring European governments to exchange information about interest paid on savings in accounts controlled by EU citizens. The regulations are intended to help EU governments to snare citizens dodging taxes on interest income via offshore accounts. Portugal's other major banks, Banco Espirito Santo and Banco Comercial Portugues (BCP), already offered offshore banking services in Macau. BCP last month sold its three local subsidiaries to Dah Sing Banking Group of Hong Kong, but kept its offshore branch in Macau. CGD owns Banco Nacional Ultramarino, but previously didn't offer offshore services. The shift involves few staff. CGD has employed five people for its new branch and BPI is likely to have a similar number. Madeira fell within the scope of the new EU rules, which came into effect July 1, because the island group 860 kilometers due west of Casablanca, Morocco, remains under Portuguese sovereignty, unlike Macau, which returned to Chinese rule in 1999. Madeira's offshore tax incentive program came under heavy EU scrutiny in 2000, forcing the islands to suspend registry of new companies in 2001 and 2002 until agreement was reached allowing the program to resume for a few more years, but with banks excluded. The Macau government eliminated tax benefits for new offshore companies in several industries the same day it approved CGD's application. The change did not affect the eligibility of offshore bank branches.

Macau International Fireworks Display Contest

3, 10, 18, 24 Sep & 1 Oct - 17th The firecracker industry used to be one of the three major industries of Macau, and makes the territory the ideal stage for its annual international fireworks display contest. The 17th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest features 10 teams - from Australia, Korea, the United Kingdom, Japan, Spain, the Philippines, Portugal, Taiwan China, France and Mainland China. Japan and Taiwan China were the winners in 2004 and 2003 respectively, while the team from Mainland China was second-runner up in 2002. This year, participating teams will complement their displays with music to add a thrilling new dimension to this annual spectacle. Program 3rd Sep(Saturday)　21:00　Australia　22:00　Korea 10th Sep(Saturday)　21:00　United Kingdom　22:00　Japan 18th Sep(Sunday)　21:00　Spain　22:00　Philippines 24th Sep(Saturday)　21:00　Portugal　22:00　Taiwan, China 1st Oct(Saturday)　21:00　France　22:00　China Venue: Sea area in front of Macau Tower Free admission Time: 9:00 pm. & 10:00 p.m. Organizer: Macau Government Tourist Office Telephone enquiries: (853) 333 000 www.macautourism.gov.mo * Displays last approx. 18 minutes, with two displays per evening.

Fireworks + Music Festivals

Friday, September 02, 2005 The 17th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest kicks off tomorrow with a twist: This year, competing teams can pump up their pyrotechnic shows with musical accompaniment. The 17th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest kicks off tomorrow with a twist: This year, competing teams can pump up their pyrotechnic shows with musical accompaniment. The Macau Government Tourist Office, the organizer, will set up speakers to broadcast the booming melodies at three popular viewing points near the Macau Tower and the Kwun Yam statute. The 10 teams will take turns over the next five weekends setting the skies alight, with two facing off each time. Japan will defend the championship it won last year on September 10. Spain will make its debut contest appearance on September 18. Each team will get 18 minutes to impress the judges. Fireworks aren't just for tourists, said tourist office spokeswoman Liz Lam, noting that firecracker production used to be a leading industry in Macau. She put this year's contest budget at 5.4 million patacas (HK$5.2 million). Each team receives US$17,500 (HK$136,000) as a subsidy and the winner gets an additional US$6,000.

Residential development ban on Cotai may not be absolute

The ban on residential development on Cotai announced by Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau Director Jaime Carion last week may prove less absolute than implied. Zach Coleman Friday, September 02, 2005 The ban on residential development on Cotai announced by Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau Director Jaime Carion last week may prove less absolute than implied. Even at the time Carion announced the ban to Macau reporters, he cited with approval plans by Melco International Development and Publishing & Broadcasting to include 'apartment- style' hotel units within their HK$8 billion City of Dreams casino resort. Carion said Galaxy Casino's Cotai resort development plan also included acceptable apartment-style hotel rooms, but cited with approval revised development plans by eSun Holdings that omitted previously approved homes. The result has been confusion about what Macau will still allow in Cotai now that the area has been redesignated as a tourism and entertainment zone instead of a residential district as originally planned. It's an important question as revenue from apartment sales could provide a helpful funding source for casino resort developers and enable them to recoup their project development costs more quickly. 'At this time we are still trying to clarify what is going on,' said Bill Mok, chief financial officer of Hong Kong-listed Far East Consortium International. Far East plans to build a HK$2.8 billion complex with five hotels, a casino and a huge shopping mall as well as 33,260 square meters worth of serviced apartments. JPMorgan property analyst Raymond Ngai has projected the company will recoup HK$900 million from selling the apartments. Mok said: 'If they say no residential development at all, that will affect our project.' So far, that doesn't seem to be the case. Deutsche Bank gaming analyst Marc Falcone wrote in a research note that the residence ban 'does not apply to casino development projects as planned, and excludes timeshares, condo hotel projects and serviced apartments connected to major hotel developments... Second homes and resort developments would be permitted.' Carion's blessing is particularly important for the Melco-PBL joint venture. The JV plans to start pre-sales of 142,000 sq m worth of serviced apartment timeshares in mid-2006. Analyst Aaron Fischer of CLSA forecasts the sales will bring in HK$2.3 billion. Only shortly before Carion's speech, Las Vegas Sands announced it would include 600 serviced apartments with the Four Seasons hotel it is building in Cotai and more serviced apartments with two resorts it will build across the street. Shangri-La Asia chief executive Giovanni Angelini, whose company is negotiating to manage one of those two resorts, said last Friday that the prospective Shangri-La Macau would not include serviced apartments. A spokesman for Las Vegas Sands declined comment. Regal Hotels International Holdings executive director Poman Lo said the new policy would affect tentative company plans to allocate up to 10 percent of its HK$2 billion-plus Cotai resort for serviced apartments for expatriates. But she said this would not have a significant financial impact as the company will have sufficient revenue from other projects to fund its Macau venture. ESun told its shareholders in July that, despite its development plan revisions, it would still seek approval to build 30 detached houses on its Cotai site in a joint venture with sister company Lai Fung Holdings. Asked whether Carion's comments would scotch that move, eSun chief executive Mark Lee said he could not comment due to guidance from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. (from The Standard HK)

Gaming Business Booming

As reported by Xinhuanet: 'Macau's scorching gaming business is keeping booming, as the latest official statistics showed that this year's gambling revenue reached 29.8 billion patacas (US$3.73 billion) by August, a year-on-year rise of 14 percent. 'On the casino gold rush, international hands are seeking more play. 'The Las Vegas gaming giant Wynn Resort Tuesday vowed to hire some 4,000 employees for its Macau project. '…What is bolting the international tycoons' confidence? 'Macau's gaming sector last year saw a total revenue of five billion US dollars, up 40 percent over the 2003, and only a shade behind Las Vegas' 5.2 billion. 'Behind the rocketing jump is a growing stream of visitors from the Chinese mainland, as mainlanders arrivals more than doubled between 2002 and 2004…'