Philippine Kayak Marathon

Entitled Kayak Explore Cebu-Bohol crossing, the 3rd run will follow the route of Mactan Island to Bohol, where paddlers will cross the 125-km scenic route passing through a motley of islets, coves, mangroves and river deltas. The DOT together with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) is supporting the event.

“We have 7,107 islands, with infinite possibilities for kayaking adventure. Exploring the span of our clear waters surely opens travelers to the unique splendor of our country,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

The tourism chief also commended different sectors for their active participation in boosting the eco-adventure package, “The Philippines can undoubtedly become the Kayaking Capital of Southeast Asia with these overwhelming support from the private sector and local communities.”

Eduardo Jarque Jr., Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions highlighted the country’s bountiful natural waterways, “This unique eco-adventure allows tourists inside secret coves, inlets, channels that lead to stunning views of our mangrove forests, limestone cliffs, unspoiled coastlines and other exciting mysteries around our islands.”

With more than 100 participants expected to attend the three-day event, Kayak Explore Cebu and Bohol will begin from Punta Engano following a 5-km coastal run along Mactan Island passing through resorts and other sites, then on to Olango, down to Getafe, Bohol. The race will then move eastward towards Panglao passing through coastwise and municipal waters; stopping by at designated control points where local packages and tours may be introduced.

Apart from the kayak marathon, the event will also conduct kayaking clinics, 5-km novice races, eco-touring flotilla, island hopping, moonlight paddling. A mini fair of eco-tour packages such as the New Adventure-Kayak Hundred Islands, Historic Manila Bay Kayaking Adventures; Luxury Kayaking Safari in Bacuit Bay, Palawan, and Bohol Extreme Packages: Kayamping (Kayak and Camping) will be held on site.

Kayaking Philippines was introduced to major foreign buyers at the Philippine Travel Exchange ’09 (PHITEX).

One of the world’s best kayak sites and trails found in the Philippines include, Pinacanauan River, Hundred Islands, Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan, Caramoan Peninsula, Northern Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Siargao Island, and Samal Island.

The Caramoan Peninsula offers a view of limestones, rugged coastlines, and white sand-ringed islands, complemented by a stunning view of underwater marine life by snorkeling around shallow waters.

For the high-spending market, the DOT offers Luxury Kayaking in Palawan. Known for its idyllic beaches, lagoons and caves, Palawan enjoins travelers to kayak in El Nido and Coron.

Cebu draws attention to paddling in Hilutungan Island and Marine Sanctuary, Sulpa Island, Olango Island and Mactan Island for moonlight kayaking.

Bohol, the frontier of ecotourism, lists several sites for kayaking which include, Banacon Island, Pandanon Island, Dumog and Ubay Islands, Abatan River, and Punta Cruz, which teem with mangrove forest and sandbars. Lagoon moonlight paddling is also offered in Panglao Island.

In Samar, the unspoiled waters of Marabut, and Sohoton Natural Bridge Park are featured. While Siargao has Guyam Island, Sohoton Cove, and Del Carmen Lagoon. Samal Island in Davao is likewise a kayak site, promising reefs, mountains and caves along the way.

For inquiries, call (02) 4687091; 0915-435-9321; email philkayaking@yahoo.com or visit www.justgo.ph/kayak; www.kayakphilippines.com.

A busy Philippine pavilion at the Taipei International Travel Fair 2009

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said, “Taiwan continues to be one of the country’s top source markets for nature-based travel. Prospects are high from this market, as we keep up our strong tourism links with this segment.”

Pointing to increased charter flights to Kalibo and Boracay, Durano noted, “Ease of travel is integral to tourism activity. With continued and additional charter flights, our most popular beach destinations can expect increased arrivals for the coming year ahead.”

The presentations and meetings with various airline officials and tourism leaders in Taiwan were led by Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Ireneo Reyes, Taiwan Tourism Representative; Sonia Garcia, Director of DOT-Region 10, and Ma. Rica Bueno, Head of Team Asia Pacific.

“The Philippines remains an acknowledged tropical destination for our white-sand beaches. Moreover, our tourism facilities are ready to accommodate numerous travelers who are looking for that unique island getaway,” Jarque shared.

A total of 350 local travel agents attended the product presentation in the three cities which highlighted Davao as a new destination for Taiwanese travelers in the coming year. Garcia presented Davao’s ‘islands to highlands’ attractions.

Jarque noted, “Davao has the best of both worlds. For nature lovers who want to experience mountain trekking and afterwards enjoy the waters, this is truly the place for them.”

A highlight of the delegation’s visit was to strengthen existing tourism relations, particularly on the chartered flights from Taiwan to the Philippines.

Mandarin Airlines recently started the Taichung – Kalibo charter flight mid-October of this year, while China Airlines is continuing their Boracay charter service opened in May 2008. A possible re-opening of the Taipei – Cebu charter flight was likewise brought to the table with China Airlines through its Vice President James Yu.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines (PAL) also announced the newest addition to the various charter flights from Taipei to Kalibo. According to Sindy Lin, PAL Country Manager in Taiwan, “The PAL Taipei-Kalibo charter will start on December 9, 2009 using A320 aircraft with seating capacity of 150.”

Jarque expressed DOT’s gratitude for the continuing support of both airlines in providing direct charter service to Kalibo, the gateway to Boracay Island.

Boracay tops the list of favorite destination among the Taiwanese consumers followed by Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and Manila. The Taiwanese showed interest in dive sites, golf and English language program.

Alongside the promotional efforts was the Philippines’ active participation in the Taipei International Travel Fair (TITF) held at the Taipei World Trade Center, highlighting Davao as a premier nature and adventure destination.

For her part, Bueno said, “This year’s TITF attracted a bigger delegation from the Philippines. The participation of 17 tourism establishments from the private sector made the Philippine booth even stronger in promoting the country to Taiwanese tourists.”

The 63-sq. m. Philippine pavilion at the TITF provided a very good venue for Philippine sellers & partner agents to promote various tour programs. The booth adopted a beach wedding theme to promote the country as a beach wedding & honeymoon destination. Tour operators, hotel and resort’s representatives from Manila, Boracay and Davao joined the Philippine delegation.

The Center for Philippine Arts & Culture, Jeron Travel, Hafti Tours, Pearl of the Pacific, Crown Regency Hotels and Resorts, Patio Pacific, Busina Company Inc., El Nido Resorts, Boracay Regency, Subic Holiday, Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, Surelite Travel & Tours, PR Travel Consultants, Inc. Southern Travel Corp., 829 One World Travel Express and St. Christopher Travel and Business Center, were the participants in this year’s productive country presentation.

Six local travel agents from Taiwan also joined the Philippine booth; namely A Team Travel Services; Fu Hsia Travel services; Wonderful Tours; Castle Tours; and De-Wey Study Abroad ESL Program.

“Both the Philippine private sector and the local agents reported good business deals for the country for 2010. Participants were able to get a total of 221 confirmed bookings for group tours and more than 800 queries were registered during the three – day fair,” Bueno added.

Club Noah Isabelle

Not Club Noah Isabelle, located in the Northernmost tip of Palawan. It is one resort that truly communes with nature. Visitors will appreciate that its environmental philosophy is infused in every aspect of the resort’s operation.

Bougainvillea and hibiscus bloom all over the resort that is home to diverse collection of tropical flora and fauna. Islets around the resort are left untouched. You even have the chance to encounter a dragon or two.

Tourism Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano has been pushing for Palawan to become the model of eco-tourism in the country.

Club Noah Isabelle took its name from an old Spanish fort that sits near the harbor of Taytay, Puerto de Sta. Isabelle, named in honor of Spain’s Queen Isabelle II. It was built to protect the local townspeople from the 18th century pirates.

Nestled on Apulit Island, just off the municipality of Taytay in northeastern of Palawan, Club Noah Isabelle opened in 1995.

The roots of the resort date back to two decades ago, when a young Japanese adventurer teamed up with a Spanish-Filipino group to explore the water of Palawan, Cebu, Bohol and other coasts of the Philippine archipelago. The team established the first Japan-Philippine Dive Jamboree in the country.

In 1976, the team pioneered cruises in Apo Reef, Tubattaha, Cavite, Arena, Boracay, Balicasag, Panglao and the rest of Mindanao with the use of luxury yacht the M/V Sea Quest. The team later bought M/V Via Mare, 75-foot diving boat bringing the group to more places in the Philippines.

In 1979, the team ventured toward the westernmost islands of Palawan, now known as Kalayaan Islands. While crossing Calavite Point in Mindoro, the boats propeller got tangled in fishnets. They took shelter on nearby island, popularly known as El Nido.

Abandoning the dive boat business after the last of their boats went under, the divers and the boat’s crew built El Nido Resort on Miniloc Island in 1982.

Intended as 15-cottage dive camp for Japanese adventurers, the beauty and splendors of El Nido spread like wild fire.

El Nido Resort found itself coping with an avalanche of clients, both domestic and foreign, despite the prohibited cost of going there. The visitors did not mind staying in the crowded 30 cottages and sharing bathroom.

In 1993, an evolution of sorts took place. The same people formed a company they first called Club Noah, later renamed Club Noah Isabelle.

In 1995, the first GSM “Tawag Center” or Public Calling Office (PCO) was set up by Smart Communications in Club Noah to link up the business with the outside world.

The resort has 50 cottages called cabanas, thatched with cogon, giving a touch of Tahitian beach house built over the water with the balcony. Sixteen of these cabanas are located on the east side, 14 on the west side, encircling the cove.

At least 20 of these are two-story family cottages with two rooms fronting the west side. The family cottages and the cabanas are air-conditioned, with hot water and intercom.

The large cross on top of the rock hill is the symbol of the resort. The cross, faces the route to El Nido.

The clubhouse where the main dining room is housed, has a triangular roof. A mini-swimming pool with Jacuzzi is right in front. There are also several dining areas and bars scattered throughout the resort.

Smorgasbord or a full-course of seafood or continental cuisine is served at the clubhouse and floating restaurant. A variety of rice gruel, sushi, sashimi, as well as barbeque and fondue are available.

Rates are packaged. They include buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These are usually served at the main dining room, unless the resort is hosting a picnic, lunch or sunset dinner on another island.

The resort also has a supervised children’s play area, a 300-meter beach cove, a 350-meter west beach, fresh water supply, medical clinic and babysitting, laundry, mail and fax services.

The unique Rock Bar, which can be reached by climbing 109 steps, also boast of a spectacular view of the bay. El Capitan has a pool table and is great for unwinding. The newly built Nirvana Water Pavilion offers a great view of the West Beach area.

The club provides guests with an exciting variety of recreational and sports activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, water-skiing, kayaking, island hopping, Taytay town tour, fishing, camping, trekking, bicycling, basketball, table tennis, billiards, darts and river cruise.

Other activities include a tour to Lake Danao, barbeque party and disco at the Noa-Noa island. Isla Blanca delights you with picnicking and snorkeling, while the Pabellon caves include a natural swimming pool.

Isabella’s seven charms include Silanga Island (Noa-Noa) where you can drink and dance at the bar; Pabellon Island which made up with of marble; Guimbaludan, nicknamed Isla Blanca because of its white-sand beach; Dinot Rocks, designed as the sanctuary of the marine life; Tamisan River, otherwise called Rio Verde, good for kayaking, fishing beneath thick mangroves; Taytay town, formerly called Estrella del Norte, noted for squid fishing and cashew nuts; and Lake Danao, which is a nice spot for bird-watching.

The event is part of the DOT-National Capital Region (NCR) promotions program to expand awareness on Metro Manila as an ultimate tourist destination in this part of Southeast Asia Pacific region.

The ceremonies were opened by DOT Undersecretary Oscar P. Palabyab and NCR Director Reynato L.Chua.

Palabyab said that while the project would present the 17 local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila capsules, the show-case would be a one-stop venue where the visitors would have the opportunity to discover the many historical treasures of Intramuros, a major historical site and center of culture in the country.

”At the same time, visitors can experience the best Metropolitan Manila has to offer – its people, dances, cuisine, arts, music and festivals, ” Palabyab said.

Metropolitan Manila is composed of the cities of Caloocan, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela and the municipality of Pateros.

At the same time, Chua said the highlights of the event are cultural presentation s featuring choir groups and municipal bands, street dancing and product demos.

Local government and private establishments in these areas have committed their support in creating the most authentic booth designs depicting their properties and products, to make sure the showcase represents the best of the region.

The staging of this event has consistently pushed for the development of new attractions and products such as medical, health and well ness tourism, Chua said .

It is also a venue to reflect the synergy and continuing institutional development efforts of LGUs, private sector and community.

The Metropolitan Manila’s officials are confident that the event would make the viewers more aware of NCR’s rich culture through its people, dances, cuisine, arts, music and festivals,

2009 MIss Earth Beauty Pageant in Boracay

Catherine Untalan, Miss Earth Philippines executive director, said that they have been urging several stakeholders in this resort island to ensure that Boracay is clean once the candidates from all over the world arrive on November 18.

The Miss Earth Philippines recently led hundreds of volunteers from the Boracay Special Protection Office, Malay local government, Philippine Dental Association-Boracay, Philippine Coast Guard-Auxiliary, Boracay Foundation Incorporated and the Boracay executives in a coastal clean-up activity.

The activity was in coordination with the Agham group dubbed as Bora-Kay Linis 2009 (Boracay so clean).

“The Miss Earth Foundation finds Boracay as the appropriate venue for the pageant night. We hope that every sector in Boracay would cooperate as we are promoting not only Boracay but also we would give impression to the world that we can be good stewards of the environment,” Untalan said.

This year’s Philippine representative to the Miss Earth pageant is Sandra Seifert from Negros Occidental province.