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New Scheme for A/D Cards Will Benefit Tourism

May 31, 2009

The new arrival/departure cards (A/D card) will greatly help in updating a database on incoming and outgoing tourists, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.   Launched recently, the new machine-readable A/D cards would significantly increase the processing for passengers’ travel documents at airports. 

Under the new scheme, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) would immediately move processed information from the A/D cards to the DOT which in turn will create a travel database, and more efficiently. 

“Global trends have changed the way people travel.  Right now, people are moving at increased speed, and this faster scheme in getting necessary data from tourists is indeed a welcome development,” Tourism Secretary Ace Durano noted. 

He added, “The new arrival and departure cards contain vital information that will definitely benefit the whole tourism industry, allowing all stakeholders to better respond to traveler’s needs and preferences.”

Details such as type of accommodation and exact purpose of travel are in the form.  Instead of general categories under holiday, visit, convention, business, and ‘others,’ the updated A/D cards ask specific purposes such as Shopping, Wellness, and Second Home, under ‘Holiday/ Pleasure’. 

Also, options like Education/ Training, Official Mission, Religion/ Pilgrimage, Health, Transit, and Permanent Resident or Returning Resident are made available on the list, requiring more focused information about the passengers. 

According to Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr., “Data obtained from these cards will increase the Department’s capacity to respond to tourists’ inclinations. In a constantly changing tourism landscape, travelers now are more into niche activities. This information may be difficult to come by unless we zero-in on their needs and wants.”

Jarque added, “It is also an indirect feedback on the current tourism programs we have for the country, gauging how the market is reacting.” 

Allan Cañizal, Director for Tourism Development Planning, mentioned that travel agencies in the country will also be given access to the information gathered from the A/D cards.

“These times call for the most updated information on travelers, allowing all tourism stakeholders to respond well and make informed decisions to sustain their businesses,” Cañizal said. 

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Office of the Undersecretary for Planning & Promotions
Department of Tourism - Manila
Tel. No.  524-1694

Posted by sexynomad at 3:41 am | permalink | comments[1]

Intramuros Features a Glimpse of Mindanao

May 28, 2009

Wow Philippines Pasundayag Northern Mindanao 2009 will showcase the Best of Northern Mindanao in Intramuros’ History Town at Clamshell 1, Anda cor. Arzobispo Sts. Intramuros, Manila, taking off on May 29, 2009. 

Featured in this cultural event are the assemblage of eight cities (Cagayan de Oro, Tangub, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, and Gingoog) and five provinces (Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Lanao Del Norte).

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said, “This activity will immensely delight viewers on the 20-day exhibit of local arts and culture, festivals, adventure activities, agri-trade products, cuisine, travel facilities, tourism services and investment opportunities.”

Pasundayag Northern Mindanao is specially designed for the public to encounter people, places, tourism festivals, sports & adventure activities and other events that would allure them to visit the destinations.

“This is a good venue to take a glimpse of Northern Mindanao and what we can offer to tourists,” Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. noted.

Daily activities include cultural performances, street dancing (4pm), craft  demonstrations, dance clinic , ethnic sports display, tutorial on playing of ethnic instruments, film showing,  interactive showcases on adventure, arts  culture, tourism wellness, selling of agricultural products, processed foods and handicrafts, travel  & services consultation and many others.  

Endorsed by the Regional Development Council Region 10 and in partnership with the Northern Mindanao Regional Tourism Council, Pasundayag will collect no entrance fees, and will be open from 3:00 PM – 10 PM every Monday; 10AM-10PM Tuesday-Thursday; and 10AM-12MN Fridays thru Sundays.   Pasundayag will run until June 24, 2009.

For more details, contact DOT Region 10 at Telefax (08822) 723696/726394 or e-mail dotr10@yahoo.com or DOT-Regional Monitoring Services at (02) 524-24-21.  A complete schedule of events is available at their website dotr10.multiply.com.

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Office of the Undersecretary for Planning & Promotions
Department of Tourism - Manila
Tel. No.  524-1694

Posted by sexynomad at 1:37 am | permalink | Add comment

Sexynomad Attends Philippine Fashion Week 2009

May 27, 2009

Like I said in my fashion blog, I was lucky to have been invited by one of the designers himself to attend this year’s Philippine Fashion Week (Holiday ‘09). The designer is Marlon N. Rivera. I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about him because he happens to be the Creative Director and President of the company I am training with at the moment (Publicis). But when I found out that he is a fashion designer too, I swear, I went ga-ga over him despite the fact that we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m afraid, I may somehow be “starstruck” when that time comes. Multi-talented people makes my heart beat so fast coz in a way, I wanna be like them too. ^_^

 
  

Anyway, the experience actually was not as glamorous as it seems to be. For one, my hubby Peter and girlfriend Ninette were at SMX Convention Center at 7 p.m. coz we didn’t wanna be late. It says on the ticket that gates of Function Rooms 3&4 will open at exactly 7:30 p.m. But I guess, producing a humongous project such as this can be very toxic that guests were only allowed entrance at around 8:30 p.m. On the other hand, if I wasn’t wearing my 3 1/2 - inch killer Mary Jane shoes, I would’ve enjoyed watching the eye candies parading my view. ^_^

Over all, it was still an awesome event. Marlon Rivera’s collection were fashionably chic and wearable;  colors used  were very neutral (black, grey, silver, brown, blue) and the texture of the fabric seemed pleasing, comfy and light. I really wonder where I can buy his collection? Hmmm… that’s one topic I can actually use when I finally get introduced to him one of these days. Hehehe. ^_^

  

Posted by sexynomad at 2:10 am | permalink | comments[1]

Philippine Tourism Welcomes ResidenSea

May 25, 2009

Ace Durano (left), Secretary of Tourism, warmly greets Emilio Freeman, Senior Vice President for Operations of ResidenSea, a management company representing specialty luxury properties on land and sea. 

ResidenSea promotes The World, an exquisite cruise ship known for its ‘sailing residences’ with an extensive itinerary that includes Alaska, Europe, and Asia. 

Travellers aboard the luxury cruise ship this year will enjoy a visit to the country’s prime destinations such as El Nido, Palawan, Boracay, and Manila.

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Office of the Undersecretary for Planning & Promotions
Department of Tourism - Manila
Tel. No.  524-1694

Posted by sexynomad at 12:28 am | permalink | Add comment

Patintero Pandemonium

May 24, 2009

Yabang Pinoy, an organization of passionate believers and supporters of all things Filipino, stages a tournament of one of the nation’s most beloved street sport.

Chances are, the last time you played patintero was when you were just a kid. But why, when it is so much fun to play, needing only lines on the ground and endless playtime? Yabang Pinoy, a Filipino Pride movement of shouting proud Pinoys established in 2005, wants Filipinos to realize, through simple activities like this, the joy and spirit of being Filipino.

In celebration of the country’s Independence Day, it organizes the longest rally of patintero enthusiasts, the Todo Gulo, Todo Bilis, Todo Saya, Todo Pawis, Todo Talon, Todo Bilis, Todo SAYA–Pinakamahabang Todo Patintero. The fun event is on June 21, 2009, from 3:00pm to 5:30pm at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Requiring nothing but for players to wear their own abaca bands, Yabang Pinoy’s signature accessory, the event assembles all the members and advocates of the organization, for them to meet other shouting proud Filipinos and be part of a single powerful collective. To compete, participants must form teams of six to eight members; there are no restrictions, so anyone can join.

Yabang Pinoy also introduces new rules to the game, including terms like patotot, empoy, and back touch. With hope, according to Yabang Pinoy, this will start the resurgence of realizing the fun in being Filipino.

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To join Todo Patintero, please contact Weng de Leon, Yabang Pinoy advocate, through email at todopatintero@gmail.com or through phone at +63905 268 9194. Visit http://www.yabangpinoy.com and http://yabangpinoys.multiply.com.

Posted by sexynomad at 5:47 pm | permalink | comments[1]
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