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Boracay Dragon Boat All-Stars rules in Hong Kong race

The Boracay Dragon Boat All-Stars won the championship in the 500-meter mix category in the recently-concluded Dragon Boat Carnival in Hong Kong, China.

The international race, now on its 38th year, was held in Victoria Harbor last June 21-23. The said competition was organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association (HKDBA).

Organizers consider the race a mega event and an additional major tourism lure for Hong Kong.

The Boracay Dragon Boat All-Stars is composed of Filipinos and foreigners who are long-time residents of this resort island.

As of post time, the members of the Boracay Dragon Boat team are returning to the Philippines.

The race was joined by an estimated 6,000 paddlers from 199 teams from different countries such as the Philippines, Singapore, Macau, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, mainland China, Dubai, Japan and Thailand.

The annual regatta began in 1976 as a fishermen's boat race involving nine locals and one Japanese team and was the first international dragon boat race.

DOLE to enforce Construction Safety Program in Boracay

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be starting to enforce its construction safety program in the resort island of Boracay.

DOLE provincial director Vidiolo Salvacion said they have already coordinated with the local government of Malay to strictly implement the "no construction plan, no permit" for this resort island.

The DOLE regional office had conducted construction safety training to local contractors here and stakeholders with contractors from Iloilo, Antique and Aklan also participated.

"The DOLE had already conducted similar trainings in the past but we had noted that the construction safety program was not properly implemented so we had to remind them again," said Salvacion.

Aside from the construction safety program, the DOLE is also enforcing productivity enhancement program also in this resort island.

The Regional Tripartite Wage Board will be conducting the training on June 27-28 here.

Topics to be discussed in the training include the rights of employees, salaries and benefits.

“JAW BREAKER” ON STAN LEE’S SUPERHUMANS THIS FRIDAY

Salim Haini has been dubbed the ‘Man Who Eats Anything’. His incredible gastronomical feats include munching his way through candles, plastic, strip lights, sawdust, nails, and newspapers. On this episode of “Stan Lee’s Superhumans”, host Daniel Browning Smith witnesses firsthand Salim’s insatiable appetite for the bizarre.

In Chicago, Daniel meets Tom Cameron, aka ‘The Human Stun Gun’. By learning eastern martial arts and meditative practices, Tom taught himself to harness the inner life force or Chi.  He claims to be able to deliver a death touch, knocking a man out cold with just a gentle strike.  Pushing credibility to the max, Daniel investigates whether Tom can really knock a man to the ground without any physical contact.

Ron White calls himself a ‘brain athlete’ – he’s a two-time US Memory Champion. This Navy veteran was a high school dropout until he discovered his amazing talent. Since 1992, he has trained up to six hours a day to turn his brain into a supercomputer, able to memorize and recall data at record speeds.

Was Greg Poe born with the ability to withstand the greatest amount of g-force on earth? Greg worked as a test pilot for aircraft manufacturers, and had flown the fastest planes in the world. Fighter pilots are trained to withstand 9 G’s, but for that they need special suits to prevent blood being forced to their brain and falling unconscious. On this episode, Daniel investigates if Greg’s claim that he can take an incredible 12 G’s is possible.

Dubbed in Filipino, “Stan Lee’s Superhumans” airs every Friday at 8PM on GMA News TV Channel 11.

Tambisaan port reopens for rainy season

The Tambisaan Port in Malay town has been re-activated as the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has declared rainy season in the country.

Niven Maquirang said Friday that the Tambisaan port is being used as alternative port to ferry tourists to Boracay during rainy days.

He said the Caticlan channel is expected to have a rough sea and strong waves during heavy rains.

The Caticlan port is being used during summer and sunny weather.

During this rainy season, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)had to request for additional deployment of troops to guard the two ports especially during night time.

In Boracay, the PCG also ordered sea sport activities operating in front of the Boracay beach to transfer its operation to Bolabog beach at the back of Boracay.

Earlier, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has noted a significant 8.8 percent increase in tourism arrivals from January to May of this year.

Figures shown that Boracay were able to register 670,479 foreign and local tourists compared to the 616,210 last year of the same period. The number would have been higher if the Taiwan government has not declared travel ban to the Philippines.

Report said the number of Taiwanese tourists downs to as much as 57 percent during the first five months of the year.

PR: Canon PIXMA Print like a Pro invades Boracay

As part of efforts to spread the latest innovations in printing technology, Canon Marketing (Phils.) Inc. has launched the “Print like a Pro” Printing Talk series. Last June 8, 2013, Canon PIXMA Bran Ambassador Per-Andre Hoffman successfully spearheaded the well attended Canon Print like a Pro Printing and Photography talk series in Crown Regency Hotel Station 2 Boracay, Aklan.

 Seminar participants were able to try out the features of Canon PIXMA’s latest models; print their own photos; and learn practical printing tips and skills from renowned Canon PIXMA Brand Ambassador Per-Andre Hoffmann.

comment from the reader: On SPC defending coral restoration project

The Code Blue project of SPC has shown significant results with primary coral growth and coral colonies increasing in size at a rapid rate. However not all areas where the Reefbuds were placed responded in a similar manner. Certain areas have shown a slower response. We would like to point out that the Code Blue project was completed only last June 2012. Certain areas were rehabilitated only after the summer coral spawning season of 2012. We are hoping to see a full grown coral reef within the next five years. To demand coral growth in few months is ignorance in the part of the MAO marine biologist.

The uncouth and uneducated term of the MAO as cemetryo is a means to blame the Reefbuds for the degenerated state of the
coral reefs. Our baseline survey revealed fields of crushed coral fragments, one meter deep and stretching for kilometers.
It is MAO's failure to stop illegal fishing methods such as Muro ami that has contributed heavily to the damage of the Coral Reefs.
They have also allowed large scale Tourism fishing over Marine Protected Areas which has contributed to the decline of fish population and the loss of fish eating algae. They should stop pointing a finger because four fingers are pointing back to them.

By: Jojo Rodriguez

Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative

PR: GMA Network Wins Big in 2013 US Intl Film and Video Fest

The US International Film and Video Festival (USIFVF) recently conferred top awards on television giant GMA Network, citing a total of 11 programs from GMA-7 and GMA News TV Channel 11. Led by GMA News TV’s State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (SONA), GMA Network’s entries are the only festival winners from the Philippines this year.
GMA News TV’s flagship primetime newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, bannered by GMA Network’s Vice President for News Programs Jessica Soho, received a Silver Screen Award for its special coverage of last year’s disastrous monsoon rains entitled “The Wrath of the Monsoon”. In 2012, SONA also received a documentary accolade from the USIFVF for its episode on the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong.
"Malaking karangalan ito hindi lang para sa amin, kundi sa buong GMA News and Public Affairs, tayong lahat. At siyempre, gusto rin nating ibahagi ito sa ating mga manonood na talaga namang para sa kanila itong newscast na ito," said Soho, who was recently named by Reader’s Digest Asia as the Most Trusted News Presenter for the third consecutive year and is widely regarded as the country’s most awarded broadcast journalist.
Soho’s multi-awarded and top-rating public affairs program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, in turn, was also one of the programs cited from GMA Network.
Receiving a Certificate for Creative Excellence were Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (“Photographs of Typhoon Pablo”) for the News Magazine Format; primetime newscast 24 Oras bannered by Mike Enriquez and Mel Tiangco (“Sendong Tragedy”) for Newscasts; late-night newscast Saksi anchored by Arnold Clavio and Vicky Morales (“Wrath of the Monsoon”) also for Newscasts; and a documentary by Howie Severino for the program I-Witness (“Santo at Sikreto”) for Documentary: Religion.
Also receiving Certificates for Creative Excellence were GMA-7 entertainment programs––infotainment show iBilib bannered by basketball icon Chris Tiu with Moymoy Palaboy and Isabelle Daza for Children's Entertainment; cooking show Kusina Master hosted by celebrity chef Boy Logro for Cooking; and drama series Pahiram ng Sandali topbilled by Dingdong Dantes, Christopher de Leon, Max Collins, and Lorna Tolentino for Telenovelas.
The festival similarly awarded certificates to GMA News TV programs––news commentary and analysis show Bawal Ang Pasaway Kay Mareng Winnie headlined by Prof. Solita Monsod (“One on One with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile”) for Interview/Talk, Filipino cultural show I Juander hosted by GMA reporters Cesar Apolinario and Susan Enriquez (“Why is the Lechon the Centerpiece of Every Filipino Celebration”) for Education: Professional Development & Continuing Education; and GMA News TV special San Pedro Calungsod for Documentary: Religion.
Founded in 1967, USIFVF recognizes outstanding corporate, education, entertainment, documentary and student productions.

Cooperative defends glitches over P50M environmental restoration project

The Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative has defended its P50 million underwater environmental restoration project in this resort island.

This developed after the Municipal Agriculture Office reported to the local council describing the SPC project like a 'cemetery' zone.

Malay Councilor Dante Pagsuguiron, chairman on the committee on environment, said he recommended to the MAO to submit a copy of the report to the Office of Senator Loren Legarda for her comment. Legarda provided the funding for the SPC project.

"We do not consider ourselves environmental scientists to comment on this project. So we wanted Sen. Legarda to send team of experts to determine if the project has been effective," Pagsuguiron said.

The SPC has undertaken the project by planting coral reef technology to restore the damaged coral reefs in this resort island. Among the causes of damaged coral reefs were human intervention and global warming.

For his part, Jojo Rodriguez of the SPC said that water quality issues, disturbance and siltation caused the project to become imperfect. But the SPC hopes that in five years time, it will grow.

"The reef bud technology is a World Bank awarded innovation. It was utilized in Anilao, Batangas and in Rosario, Cavite. The SPC inspected both project sites and witnessed the positive results. The SPC also utilized the Department of Science and Technology coral propagation method as an innovation to the existing technology, " Rodriguez said.

The coral propagation method was reportedly used by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute is practically a cloning method of coral reproduction.

Tiger Airways maiden Kalibo-S'pore direct flight on July 18

The Tiger Airways has announced its maiden direct flight for Kalibo-Singapore route beginning July 18 this year boosting the economy of the Western Visayas region.

In a press conference here Friday afternoon, Olive Ramos president and CEO of Tiger Airways said that they will have a direct flight to Kalibo daily.

"Singaporeans love beaches and they will definitely love Boracay. Aside from tourists, businessmen will also come to the region which would boosts the local economy," said Ramos.

The airline will fly to and from Changi Airport to the Kalibo International Airport. Aside for Kalibo, the Tiger Airlines also has a direct Iloilo-Singapore flights.

"We will be opening up a new route for Kalibo before the year ends," said Ramos.

The airline claimed that the Tiger has arrived in the province.

In a related report, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo will hosts this year's Visayas Area Business Conference on September. The theme for this year's conference is "WV: Unleashing the Tiger Economy".

Businessmen consider WV as the emerging tiger economic destination because of the booming tourism brought about by Boracay Island which is considered as the premier tourism destination in the country.

Probe set on barge's docking at Boracay beach

The local council of Malay, Aklan is set to investigate the docking of a barge in Puka beach in this resort island considered as one of the world's best beaches.

Councilor Jonathan Cabrerra said the council will review the implementing rules and regulations on the local government's issuance of a special permit.

Report said tourists and stakeholders were surprised when a barge docked in Puka beach. Initial investigation showed the barge's crew obtained a special permit from the office of the local chief executive.

"The council plans to review how the special permit is being given and we hope this kind of incident will not happen again," said Cabrerra.

Meanwhile, another vessel is also the subject of an investigation by the local government for allegedly dumping waste in this resort island, which in the first place is prohibited. Aside from the local government, the Department of Tourism is also doing a parallel probe into the Oyster Ferry incident.

As part of its investigation, the local government is set to conduct inspection into the vessel to determine the alleged violation.

The management of the Oyster Ferry has yet to explain their side with the local council.

SWEDISH NATIONAL ARRESTED FOR PUNCHING, BITING AND KICKING POLICE OFFICERS

by P03 Christopher Mendoza, PCR PNCO

A 58 year old Swedish National was arrested for punching, biting and kicking responding police officers. The suspect was identified as PETER KHIL, residing at Barangay Manocmanoc, Boracay Island.

In a statement, the incident took place at around 2:40am of June 9, 2013 at D’Mall Area when the three police officers responded on a call, a commotion involving two foreign nationals. When the said police officers were about to bring the said involved parties to a nearby hospital due to the injuries they sustained at said commotion, the suspect still continue to attack his opponents inspite of the presence of said police officers. They ordered him to stop but Kihl suddenly punched hitting the mouth of P03 Quitong, the team leader of said responding police officers.

The other two responding police officers immediately tried to pacify them and place him under the arrest. When they were about to board him on the patrol car, the suspect instantaneously bite the arm of P01 Embalzado and also kicked twice hitting the stomach of P01 Aberia that prompted them to apply a reasonable force just to subdue the unruly and heavily intoxicated Peter Kihl.
It was also learned that the suspect has a pending case for violation of R.A. 9262 “Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children” filed by his ex partner a week before the incident happened.

An inquest case of three counts of Direct Assault Upon an Agent of Authority with Inquest Case Nos 13F-00283 to 00285 was filed against PETER KHIL at the Aklan Provincial Prosecutor Office. He was immediately brought at the Aklan Rehabilitation Center for failure to post the recommended bail bond amounting to Php72,000.00. 

JAPAN-ILOILO FLIGHTS MULLED

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) will try to convince Japanese journalists and travel operators why it’s more fun in Western Visayas.

DOT-6 regional director Helen Catalbas said they will bring Japanese travel agents and media to a familiarization tour before the year ends as part of their strategies in initiating direct flights from Japan to Western Visayas.

Catalbas joined the Philippine Business Mission (PBM) trip to Japan in the last week of May 2013.

The idea of direct flights from Japan came to fore when Catalbas and Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel “Manolo” Lopez, whose family hails from Iloilo, spoke during key visits in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagoya.

The group will be taken to destinations in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.

“We have to show them what we can offer. We need to place ourselves in the Japanese consciousness,” Catalbas added.

Catalbas said an estimated 20 million Japanese tour the world but the Philippines only gets 412,000 tourists.

Western Visayas only attracted 12,849 Japanese visitors in 2012.

“We have a very low turnout. These people are big spenders, but they’re also after quality service,” Catalbas said.

The proposed flights from Japan can either land on international airports in Iloilo and Kalibo, Aklan which also host direct flights to and from Hong Kong and Singapore.

“The Japanese wants to directly reach their destination,” Catalbas added.

But the DOT official said it will still be airline companies that will decide on the direct flights.

Accolades received further boost promotions for Boracay tourism

The awards received by Boracay as one of the world's best beaches have further boosted the promotion of this resort island, this is according to a foreign tourism expert.

Chia Jia Jih, a Singaporean and an executive in Southeast Asia of the Airbnb, said guests have started pouring in from 67 countries around the world through their company alone.

The Puka Beach in Boracay was recently named by international media CNN as one of the 100th best beaches in the world. Several international travel firms also rated this resort island as one of the world's best including the best beach in Asia.

"Because of this, we in the Airbnb expanded our operation in the Philippines with the beginning of focused efforts in Boracay. Airbnb will focus on engaging its community in Boracay to fully develop the opportunity in this tourism hot spot," said Jih in a press conference here Thursday afternoon.

The concept of the Airbnb worldwide is to promote homestay program so that foreign tourists will truly experience the community in this resort island and around the world.

"We encourage homeowners in this resort island to register their homes for rent to us for free. We will provide free photographer to promote their homes and also suggests how to improve it. The homeowners will also be the one to decide how much will they be charging for every tourist who would want to stay in their homes while in Boracay," he said.

Currently, the Airbnb has over 1,400 local listings in the Philippines. Some 200 of them are in Boracay.

Also, the Airbnb offers hosts events and meet-ups to better support the existing community of users and grow the number of hosts here.

The Airbnb, in a statement, is considered the world market leader in unique, short-term accommodations. Last January, the company has celebrated four million guests. On any given night, over 50,000 guests are staying at Airbnb accommodations around the world.

Founded in August of 2008 in San Francisco, California, the company is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world online or from a mobile phone.

Boracay prepares to become 'Cruise Ship Hub'

This resort island is preparing to become the "Cruise Ship Hub" in anticipation of the continuing tourism boom being one of the best beaches in the world.

Niven Maquirang, Caticlan Jetty Port administrator, said the plan to make Boracay as the "Cruise Ship Hub" is in connection with the plan of Hong Kong. Hong Kong this year is expected to operate as the "Cruise Ship Hub" in Asia.

Maquirang as Aklan (Boracay) representative together with the Department of Tourism (DOT) will be presenting the plans to the Asian Convention of Cruise Ships to be held in Singapore later this year. Maquirang also represented the Aklan provincial government in World Cruise Ship Conference in the United States recently.

"We in the Aklan provincial government plan to extend the operation of Cruise Ship to the towns of Kalibo, New Washington, Tangalan and other areas. We are proposing for a docking at the planned Kalibo Jetty Port and then from there, organize a tour to other tourism destinations," Maquirang said.

The Aklan Provincial Government also hopes to lobby with the international cruise ship operators to open the Caticlan Port for local passengers to board and be able to travel around the world.

Maquirang thanked the Aquino administration and the DOT for its strengthened program on tourism. At least two Royal cruise ahips had visited Boracay in 2012.

"Currently, the worldwide trend on tourism is into Cruise Ship Destination as cruise ships not only bring large number of tourists but also we consider them tourists who pay well and in turn help our communities," said Maquirang.

The Aklan provincial government also expected to have at least three more Royal Cruise Ship arrivals this year.

Aside from Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan and Metro Manila are also being regularly visited by the Royal Cruise Ships.

Boracay exec laments no LTO guidelines for e-trikes

The local government of Malay, Aklan on Monday lamented the apparent failure of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to draft official guidelines on the registration of electronic tricycles(e-trikes)despite the thrusts of the national government on the conservation of environment.

Outgoing Malay Councilor Dante Pagsuguiron said the Aquino administration has expressed commitment to provide 100,000 units of e-trikes all over the country.

"We in Boracay has supported this program with the Department of Finance and the Department of Energy. In fact, last Saturday we have already distributed certificates of ownership to at least 100 tricycle operators in this resort island for the operation of e-trikes," said Pagsuguiron.

The local government is bent on abolishing the operation of tricycles in the year 2015 and will be replaced by environment friendly e-trikes.

"We expect the first batch which is 100 units of e-trikes will be delivered to those who received the certificates by August of this year. This is supported by the BPI Global and the Gerweiss Motors," Pagsuguiron told this writer in an interview Monday.

Already, there are ten units of e-trikes operating around Boracay, which is considered successful despite minor technical problems. It is expected that the next batch of e-trikes to be delivered are already improved units.

However, while the local government of Malay anticipates the massive operation of e-trikes in this resort island the LTO has encouraged the public to be cautious in confronting erring drivers pending absence of guidelines.

"As far as the local government of Malay is concerned, we have been asking the LTO to issue guidelines on e-trikes operation several times but they still failed to provide us with an official copy so the the local government will question them if they conduct inspection on the e-trikes issued by the local government," said Pagsuguiron.

The distribution of certificate of ownership to the drivers for e-trikes is in line with the local government's program on the national environment month.