Category: News & Media

If the Philippines is not on your travel list, you should add it now! With unspoiled tropical islands, exotic marine life, diverse landscapes and a party at every corner, there is much more to see and do in the Philippines than you ever knew. Here are top 10 reasons to visit the Philippines now…

You Experience Spanish Culture in Asia

The Philippines is an interesting country which has a mix of cultures. In fact, the Philippines was ruled by the Spanish for over 300 years. The Philippines is one of only two nations in Asia with Roman Catholicism as the predominant religion, and is the third largest Catholic country in the world. Spanish-era baroque churches and cathedrals found all over the country are considered one of the national treasures and listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

New York, New York– The Black Eye Peas member Apl.de.Ap rocked the stage at Viacom, New York as he serenated his audience with It’s More Fun in the Philippinesand Where is the Love songs, and encouraged the young mainstream and Filipino Americans to visit the Philippines this March 12-19, 2017.

This Filipino-American rapper and philanthropist always call the Philippines as his home and he wants everyone to experience his country – from white sand paradise to Asia’s best nightlife. This influencers’ trip is a one-of-a-kind adventure to the Philippines as Apl.de.Ap will be your host and tour guide.

You will have a chance to escape with him for a five-day Manila and Boracay trip of non-stop party, paradise and people; and at the same time forge lasting memories and meet new friends. Tour packages range from USD1800 to USD1950 per person which is inclusive of roundtrip international flight from selected cities in the US to Manila, airport transfers, hotel with daily breakfast, activities and travel insurance.

Apl’s love for his country is reflected through the lyrics of his song that he wrote for the Philippine Department of Tourism(PDOT) that says, “Places to go, things to see, welcome to my home, my country. Beautiful sights, I want you to see. It’s more fun in the Philippines. It makes you feel like you’re in a dream.”

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He said that, “The Philippines will always be home, and I feel forever fortunate to call it as such. The people, the food, the sights, it’s something that everyone has to experience. Recently, I was lucky enough to bring some great friends to experience the Philippines for the first time, and for others, to become reacquainted with the islands.”

Last May 2016, the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board through Apl.de.Ap hosted an Influencers’ FAM trip to the Philippines. Apl broughta diverse group of friends home to show off the Philippines.  The entire experienced is captured in the video that was shown during the event and posted in his Facebook account (@Apl.de.Ap).

At the event, Apl.de.Ap was also joined by DJllmind (@illmindproducer – Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) and The Voice of the Philippines Season 1 Finalist Jessica Reynoso (@itsjessicarey – Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).

The Officer-In-Charge of the PDOT New York, Zeny Pallugna, said that“Apl.de.Ap was among the influencers tapped by the Philippine Tourism to attract young Americans, between 18 – 37 years old,to explore and experience the white sand beaches, the people, and the colorful culture of the Philippines.”

The event was curated by AMP through Linda Kieu of Nickelodeon Animation Studios (who was one of the participants of the Influencers’ FAM Trip with Apl.de.Ap this year) in partnership with the PDOT New York.

For more details of this influencers’ trip to the Philippine with Apl.de.Ap, email us at pdotnewyork@gmail.com or dan@vollume.com

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) launched their new premium bus service called the Ultimate Bus Experience (UBE) Express last September 6, 2016.

The UBE Express project was conceptualized and initiated to address the growth of airport activity, with an additional two million passengers flying to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in 2015. The UBE Express also seeks to address the issue on the scarcity of travel options – accredited airport taxis, buses, jeepneys – and its weaknesses.

All 42 units of the UBE Express will be using the Mercedes MCV C 120 Low-Entry model. The low-entry design, wide spaces and the presence of the ramp makes the bus units elderly and PWD-friendly. The buses are also equipped with on-board WiFi, CCTV cameras, radio communications, and a GPS tracking device that enables the drivers to have real-time traffic updates to avoid congested roads.

To start the UBE Express experience, passengers may opt to book their important transfer in advance as the UBE Express management will be launching an online booking website for their service. Walk-in passengers can also be accommodated in the designated UBE Express booth and loading area in three terminals (Terminal 1 – Arrival Extension area; Terminal 2 – Bay 17; Terminal 3 – Bay 11). Depending on the booking, the buses can also service Terminal 4.

At a fixed price of Php 300.00, the passengers will be given their ticket with the departure and arrival points  and the bus number. Upon boarding, they will b assisted by a well-trained driver and one attendant who will accommodating them throughout the entire ride.

Currently, only 21 units are in use. The UBE Express management says that the remaining units will be in service in the succeeding months, servicing the following routes:

Silk Holidays hosted a group of agents from Western Canada on a seven-day Philippines & Taiwan FAM in September, in partnership with the Philippines Department of Tourism, Taiwan Tourism Bureau and EVA Airways.

In the Philippines, agents were accommodated at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. The FAM tour started with a historical and cultural Cebu City Tour, with visits to Lapu-lapu Shrine, Profood Factory, Magellan’s Cross, Kenneth Cobonpue Showroom, a Taoist temple and Carbon Public Market. Followed by a full day excursion to Bohol, the group visited Tarsier Sanctuary, enjoyed a river cruise lunch on Loboc River, and witnessed the famous Chocolate Hills Complex.

An ash-covered thorn taps into my arm, threatening to leave a permanent mark. We’re sitting in the bamboo home of Whang-Od, a 95-year old woman and the last Kalinga tattoo artist keeping this 1000-year-old art alive. She pauses from her playful tattoo demo, cocks her head and smiles as if to say, “You want one?” I’m thinking about it…but first how we got to the ancient rice terraces of Banaue, the deep caves of Sagada, and to the head-hunting territory of Buscalan.

Coolangatta, Queensland/AUS (Thursday, August 25, 2016) – Late September will see a mass of the world’s best surfers head to the Philippines Island of Siargao and its perfect right-hander of Cloud 9 for the 22nd annual Siargao Surfing Cup QS 1,500.

In its second year as a Qualifying Series (QS) 1,500 event the World Surf League will once again team up with the Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) to co-sanction the event. This will no doubt help to attract some of the regions top surfers hunting for qualifying points.

One of these surfers is last year’s event winner and local legend John Mark-Tokong. Tokong, who has been surfing in a number of events throughout Asia this year has made Cloud 9 his focus and is keen to go back to back in 2016.

“I’m super stoked to compete again in this year’s competition,” Toking said. “I’ve trained hard at Cloud 9 but also in Indonesia in the past few months. I really hope the waves will be good and that I can win again.”

Placing third at Cloud 9 as a 16 year old, Chris Zaffis can’t wait to get back to the Philippines, a place where he competed in his first ever QS event.

“I have been to Cloud 9 a few times now,” Zaffis said. “It’s been one of my favourite spots in the world and I’ve been going back every few years. It is such a sick little slab with some cool locals, I can’t wait to get back for sure.”

John-Mark Tokong, 5th place at the 20th Annual Siargao Cloud 9 Surfing Cup

Having locked in a win at the Mentawai Pro earlier this year at a similar set-up and having a solid result at Cloud 9 in 2014, Zaffis is coming into the event with a solid amount of confidence as he hopes Cloud 9 serves up some hollow pits in which he is so comfortable.

“I did the QS event there when I was 16, a couple years ago, and got 3rd. It was my first QS and I was just having a good time getting barrelled, Just like I was at the Mentawai Pro. I just really hope we score a good swell and have a sick time getting barrelled with the boys again.”

The 2016 Siargao Surfing Cup at Cloud 9 will get underway with an official opening ceremony and press conference on the 23rd of September. Competition will commence the following day, running from September 24 – 29. For more information on the event check back at www.WorldSurfLeague.com or check out the WSL app.

About the World Surf League

The World Surf League (WSL), formerly the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), is dedicated to celebrating the world’s best surfing on the world’s best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The League, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a truly global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe.

The WSL has been championing the world’s best surfing since 1976, running global events across the Samsung Galaxy Men’s and Women’s Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport’s rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels.

Showcasing the world’s best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the free WSL app, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Mick Fanning, John John Florence, Stephanie Gilmore, Greg Long, Gabriel Medina, Carissa Moore, Makua Rothman, Kelly Slater, Adriano de Souza and more battle on the most unpredictable and dynamic field of play of any sport in the world.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com

FILIPINOS in the United States (US), now numbering nearly 3.5 million, must make time to visit and rediscover their home country, Philippine Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said.

Overwhelmed by the staggering number of Filipino-Americans, Teo made the call during her four-day speaking engagements at various Filipino community events in New Jersey and San Francisco last week (12-15 August 2016).

The US is the second top source market for the Philippines, accounting for 15 percent of total visitor arrivals in 2015.

Secretary Teo said US visitors are expected to grow significantly in the coming years, as the Department of Tourism (DOT) works with the travel and tour operators to entice Fil-Ams, as well as the mainstream Americans, to visit the country.

Some 337,000 Fil-Ams reside in the New York and New Jersey areas, where the DOT official was invited to fiesta-like gatherings, which also featured Philippine entertainment celebrities.

From the East Coast, Secretary Teo flew westward to San Francisco and joined over 15,000 people, mostly Fil-Ams, at the Pistahan Parade and Festival 2016 at Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco.

“Undeniably many of our fellow Filipinos experience homesickness and longing to visit our home country, reunite with relatives and friends,” Secretary Teo said.

In New Jersey, she told 500 Fil-Ams at the People’s Ball , “It’ll be great if you invite your American friends and Facebook friends to come see our world-class tourist destinations and experience genuine Filipino hospitality. Remember, there’s no place like home.”

Secretary Teo welcomed the offer of partnership with the Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK) Foundation, an organization that supports a feeding program for grade school kids, and provides new income opportunities for the rural communities. ARK Foundation volunteers are mostly young professionals and next generation Fil-Ams.

“To be able to give back to the community, particularly the marginalized sector, is in fact the bottom line of our inclusive tourism program,” she stressed.

“It is important that those visiting our home country they personally witness the change that is unfolding under the Duterte administration,” the DOT chief added.

In an interview with Fiesta in America president Fernando Mendez and Asian Journal publisher Roger Oriel, Secretary Teo said next gen Filipinos must be encouraged to come to the Philippines and trace their roots.

She also welcomed the support of airline and travel and tourism executives, citing the vital role of flag-carrier Philippine Airlines.

During her meetings, Secretary Teo reaffirmed the plan for Manila’s hosting of the Miss Universe pageant next January at no expense on the part of the government as to its production costs.

The DOT chief discussed partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to support local communities through infrastructure and product development to harness their unique attractions as tourism destinations.

She also talked about her advocacy for the “one town-one product” concept and the Tourism Promotions Board’s (TPB) funding support to US-based marketing and promotions of medical and Filipino cultural and culinary tourism.

Secretary Teo also said that the DOT will give priority to “underdeveloped destinations” in the Philippines and unravel best-kept secrets, such as those in Davao, Siargao and Cagayan de Oro areas. IZL

You may have been seeing breathtaking photos of this geopark (plus the spectacular views) on social media. Here’s a guide to help you plan a visit to this exciting destination that isn’t too far from Manila