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?” … Continue reading “Deep into the Cordillera Mountains”
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.
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 … Continue reading “‘No place like home’– Teo reminds Fil-Ams”
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
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
Think you’ve seen and explored everything that our beautiful country has to offer? Let’s see if you were able to do everything on TravelBook.ph’s ultimate bucket list of 50 things to do in the Philippines. If not, then by all means, travel more!
Think you’ve seen and explored everything that our beautiful country has to offer? Let’s see if you were able to do everything on TravelBook.ph’s ultimate bucket list of 50 things to do in the Philippines. If not, then by all means, travel more!
t was my third visit to Bohol and I have to say, this time I enjoyed it the most. I guess it had to do with our accommodation choice. We spent 3 nights at the glorious Amorita Resort and I’m thrilled to give a review about this extraordinary hotel on my blog today.
t was my third visit to Bohol and I have to say, this time I enjoyed it the most. I guess it had to do with our accommodation choice. We spent 3 nights at the glorious Amorita Resort and I’m thrilled to give a review about this extraordinary hotel on my blog today.
PART of the new direction of the administration in making positive changes in the Philippines is newly appointed Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo. As an archipelago rich and brimming in biodiversity, culture, heritage, and history, the Philippines is indeed a place where amazing tourist destinations are around every corner.
PART of the new direction of the administration in making positive changes in the Philippines is newly appointed Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo.
As an archipelago rich and brimming in biodiversity, culture, heritage, and history, the Philippines is indeed a place where amazing tourist destinations are around every corner.
After the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, what’s next? An island-hopping voyage through the Philippines, suggests Lindsay Talbot, who heads east to explore the next great cruising destination.
After the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, what’s next? An island-hopping voyage through the Philippines, suggests Lindsay Talbot, who heads east to explore the next great cruising destination.
MANILA, Philippines – “I think God is smiling on us. It cooled down. It’s night. It’s not raining. This is perfect!” Ryan Tedder, lead vocalist of OneRepublic, told the crowd at MTV Music Evolution 2016 on Friday night, June 24 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.
When you schedule an outdoor concert at the start of the rainy season in Manila, the odds are you are going to have some precipitation, especially in the late afternoons or evenings. The organizers were prepared though with tents in all the right places. They even offered free raincoats – in various colors – to all who entered.
Travel bloggers have three exciting opportunities this year to gather for the world’s largest travel blogging conference, when TBEX heads to Minnesota, Manila, and Stockholm. Travel Blog Success has once again joined forces with Travel Blog Exchange as a media partner for all three events. The TBS team will be in attending TBEX North America in … Continue reading “TBEX Comes to Minnesota, Stockholm, and Manila”
Travel bloggers have three exciting opportunities this year to gather for the world’s largest travel blogging conference, when TBEX heads to Minnesota, Manila, and Stockholm.
Travel Blog Success has once again joined forces with Travel Blog Exchange as a media partner for all three events.
The TBS team will be in attending TBEX North America in Minnesota, and we look forward to another opportunity to meet our members and the greater blogging community.
October 13-16, 2016 will be the tipping point in Philippine Tourism when 600 to 800 travel bloggers from US, Europe, and around the Asian region converge for Travel Blogger Exchange (TBEX) Asia Philippines 2016 ! Travel Massive Manila kicks off TBEX Asia 2016 preparations with a networking night with TBEX organizers, Philippine Travel Bloggers, and the Tourism … Continue reading “TBEX ASIA 2016 KICKOFF WITH TRAVEL MASSIVE MANILA COMMUNITY! @TOURISMPHL”
October 13-16, 2016 will be the tipping point in Philippine Tourism when 600 to 800 travel bloggers from US, Europe, and around the Asian region converge for Travel Blogger Exchange (TBEX) Asia Philippines 2016 !
Travel Massive Manilakicks off TBEX Asia 2016 preparations with a networking night with TBEX organizers, Philippine Travel Bloggers, and the Tourism Promotions Board. You can join future Travel Massive Manila travel community events by joining the chapter here: https://travelmassive.com/chapters/manila.
