Join Me in My Sandbox

You all have  Face Book, Friendster and My Space, right? Can you check, update and blog on these social networking sites using your cellphone? Won’t it be awesome if we can do so in real time? Well, we have a new platform on the rise that is proudly Philippine-made and  hopes to cater to this kind of social networking. The mobile version is still being developed but the online platform is now up and running!!!

Sandbox is the largest mobile internet community based on local content, a collection of mobile internet services on the fastest mobile internet service platform.  It’s still in beta testing phase but its online counterpart is now being used by me and my friends. It’s so amazing.  It incorporates all those things that I like about other social networking sites — I can blog, upload photos and videos, update my current status, create and participate in many forums, send messages and make new friends. But that’s not all! Sandbox also offers a lot of other exciting surprises:

1. Shopping -  Not only can you upload videos and photos but you can  also download games and music (P30 per song which is cheaper than iTunes).

2. Rewarding its members -  Sandbox is a locally made social networking site. You’ve all been supporting foreign ones all these years right? It’s high time to turn patriotic and support the one that is Philippine-made. It’s even better than the others bacuse aside from integrating all those features I mentioned, they also give out rewards and benefits to their members. This month, all new members will get Krispy Kreme’s glazed donut and signature coffee!

3. Earning possibility - they are currently developing an advertising platform for its members as well as building an online real estate mobile site.

4. Continuous improvement - feedback from its members are very much welcome. The site is continuously being improved. What you see right now is just the tip of the iceberg.

So join us now and be with us as we reap the rewards of being a Sandbox user. Tell your friends! See you there!

Increase in tourist arrivals to continue with long holidays, DOT

Arrivals to key destinations significantly increased during the Holy Week, and numbers are still expected to rise over the long holidays, according to the Tourism Department.

“Projections of a surge in group bookings will continue over the upcoming holidays, with the availability of affordable fares and packages.  The long weekends certainly give time for tourists to extend travel plans, and an opportunity to explore the country and help spur local economic growth,” said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.

He added, “This is healthy not only for the tourism industry, but more importantly, it provides an avenue for families and big groups to have more meaningful recreation time together.”

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Research and Statistics Division reported positive growth in key tourism areas over the Lenten Season, expected to continue throughout the year.  Boracay hit a growth rate of 24.54% in tourist arrivals, compared to last year’s numbers.   Hotels in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) reached an occupancy rate of 71.87%, while resorts and other tourist-related establishments in the region hit 59.69% .

“The Department is thankful to the private sector for their response in the increasing demand for tourist activity by providing reasonable and family friendly-packages and exciting travel options even during peak season,” Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. noted.

In Region III, gastronomic tourism and the mystic Mt. Pinatubo enticed travelers and families as hotel occupancy surged to 7,690 for the period of April 8-12.  Region IV’s statistics skyrocketed to a total of 1,248.66% growth rate for total arrivals to the Underground River, Coron, and Puerto Galera.

Region V reported a total of 7,078 arrivals for duration of Lent, with Camarines Sur as the top tourist drawer.  Destinations like Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, which comprise Region VII, recorded a total of 14,710 visitors.

Eco-adventure establishments in Davao, Region XI, such as Philippine Eagle Foundation, Crocodile Park, Davao Wild Water Adventure, and Wind&Wave received 6,475 tourists over the same period,while arrivals in Region XII reflected a total of 28.08%.

 “With high tourist traffic within the country in the coming months, the Department encourages travelers to plan early to ensure the best experience,” Jarque said. 

~~~oOo~~~

 
–
Office of the Undersecretary for Planning & Promotions
Department of Tourism - Manila
Tel. No.  524-1694 / 400-1993

I Didn’t Party Anymore

While I thought I’d be partying the whole night  and dawn  with the hot people of UNO Online Mag, I found myself staying at home, enjoying the bed weather, reacquainting myself with Harry Potter (watched The Chamber of Secrets and later this morning I plan to buy the rest of the DVD movie series in Ruins), cooking some pasta and downing some mean cocktails. It’s a small part of my plan to rehaul my life. Since going to The Fort would entail me to spend time, effort and money preparing for an event that I will not really gain anything much from (I can make my own free cocktails at home anyway, my girlfriends won’t be there, I’ll be commuting at night in this dreadful weather and it’ll be filled with men hovering over hot girls, I’m sure), I chose to spend my time instead doing things that make me happier. Well, perhaps, if they invited me to model  for their online mag, I’d change my mind…teehee…wishful thinking. Anyhoo, the rest of my thoughts on this matter are explained on my dream interpretation journal. I just wanted to share. So what are your plans this long weekend? Where do you plan to go? As for me, I didn’t make any  travel itineraries so let’s see how it goes. On the other hand, there will definitely be a haircut, some photo shoot for my headshots, cooking demo, getting acquainted with another talent agency & vtr for film casting. If we have the time, we might just have some picnic with my family at La Mesa Eco Park or somewhere near. So, ciao for now and enjoy your holiday, folks!