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.

Philippine Department of Tourism

Secretary Ace Durano recently signed an agreement with Birdlife International’s Head of Conservation Richard Grimmet, to firm up their support to protect this endangered bird species, endemic to the island of Cebu.

“Preventing Extinctions is a global programme of Birdlife, pushing for awareness and involvement in conservation of rare birds. Here have introduced the concept of Species Champions, concerned parties and individuals, who will provide funding for programs and establishing policies for the protection of bird species,” said Grimmet.

Among the lost bird species only recently rediscovered, the Cebu Flowerpecker was feared extinct for much of the 20th Century. In 1992, it was rediscovered in forest fragments, but it remains critically endangered. Funding from the DOT will provide initial financial support for efforts to conserve and protect this rare bird.

Durano said, “Being a developing country, the Philippines puts great pressure on the environment. Our growing population means there is always the demand to create livelihood, make sure of present resources, which may have impacts if not managed well. We wish to further educate communities on the importance of caring and protecting our natural resources, which remains the most viable asset of our country.”

“Birdwatching as an ecotourism activity is a significant valuable resource we wish to further tap in bringing tourism traffic to remote areas in the country. This relationship with Birdlife International’s program allows us to further capitalize on this advocacy to strengthen untapped regions and localities,” Durano stressed.

Also present during the signing were British tour operators specializing in birdwatching activities. They will visit Tabunan and Alcoy, where the Cebu Flowerpecker is found.

The Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCF) is the Species Guardian for the Cebu Flowerpecker, DOT’s counterpart in working towards the implementation and execution of programs for conservation.

Lisa Marie Paguntalan, CBCF Research Director and a passionate environmentalist, shared, “It is heartwarming to know that we are not alone in efforts for the conservation of this bird species, endemic to the country.”

“This is the first time for a government agency to sign up as a Species Champion,” she noted, adding that such undertaking is another motivation for others organizations and agencies around the world, to support the cause.

The elusive bird was chosen as the flagship species for this year’s recent British Birdwatching Fair. Organizer Martin Davies said, “We have chosen the Cebu Flowerpecker as the emblem of this year’s birding fair because it provides hope and inspiration not to give up on lost species. We are delighted that the Philippines Ministry of Tourism has now become the BirdLife Species Champion for this forest jewel.”

Choose a tour package that Cultureight Travel offers – day walks to Intramuros and Luneta, Greenhills and Malate; 5-day mini-tours to Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Davao, Camiguin, Sarangani Province, South Cotabato, General Santos City; or the 10-day expeditions to choice destinations in Visayas and Mindanao. Select date that suits your schedule then pay for reservation. Upon payment, Cultureight Travel will allot the 30% you paid for Red Cross.

“Hope we can have more Filipinos helping out other Filipinos. Our immediate volunteer works when typhoon Ondoy hit can further be supported by Red Cross’ programs since it’s houses and communities literally were wiped out,” Cultureight’s President Charisse Aquino said.

For more information, visit Cultureight Travel’s website http://www.cultureight.com or email charisse@cultureight.com

But today, the once dreaded volcano that hit world headlines nearly three decades ago has become a majestic tower of serenity and beauty. Camiguin Island holds fascinating historic cultural and archeological treasures.

The island has a circumference of 64 kilometers of good roads, partly asphalted, an inlet with seven volcanoes and five towns, with a total population of 70,000. It is often called “Volcano Island.”

One gets thrilled traversing zigzagging, high-rise cliff-side roadway overlooking the seacoast, along side the grotesque rocky walls of Mt. Vulcan.

At Sitio Sabang, right below the protruding volcanic builders, foot prints of history were implanted by Ferdinand Magellan in April 1521 and later Capt. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in March 1565.

There are lots of places to see in this small island. One of them is the century old vine covered ruins of a Catholic Church, the belfry and convent left by the Mt. Vulcan fury in 1871 standing by the shoreline.

A stones throw from this place, which slopes gently into the sea, is huge cross rising from the waves. It marks the spot where the old cemetery sank as a result of Mt. Vulcan’s last fury.

Every year, on the 21st of May, the islanders row out there, on their banca to offer flowers and floating candles to the dead.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) put in place a modern telephone network which was made possible through a grant on telephone equipment from the German government costing five million Deutschmarks or roughly P80 million.

Camiguin’s 70,000 inhabitants were serviced by the operation of at least 400 telephone connections. It also includes 15 lines connected to the long distance telephone network of the PLDT using digital microwave technology.

Another unique attractions of Camiguin is Katibawasan waterfall, at upper Mambajao, rising 250 feet high. Enclosed with massive, Fern-swathed, granite mountain well, the waterfall is a sight to behold, a singular stream of water drops 50 meters from a bulging sources without touching the granite well.

Magting cave along the Mambajao coast, believed to be a million years old, provides a terrific asylum for Antiquarians and Archeologists. In its dark cubicles are found ancient human skeletons and primitive utensils preserved intact for an untold period of time.

The units inland off the shores of Agoho, Mambajao, is a natural wonder frequented by swimmer, scuba divers, fishermen, shell collectors and plain lovers of the sea.

On the opposite side of Camiguin island is Magsaysay islet named after former president Ramon Magsaysay. A motorboat can reach it in 20 minutes.

The Banlas spring gives crystals clear water that taste like real bottle soda, so much so that drinkers mix it with their rum or whisky.

The most romantic and idyllic spot in Camiguin is Languines lagoon, a man-made lake near the seaport barrio of Benone. A good road runs along the edge of the three kilometers circular lagoon.

A vignette of history is reflected in the ancient Moro watch tower of the shore of Guinsiliban town. Built by the Spaniards and Filipinos in the year 1569, the grizzled tower served as a vanguard against Moro invaders of pirates who pillage villagers and kidnapped women in the 17th century.

Another historic place worth seeing is Cabusan beach at the capital town of Mambajao. This was the site of the battle between local insurgents and Spanish and American soldiers at the close of Spanish regime.

Catarman town at the Southern tip of Camiguin owns an archeological museum replete with centuries old artifacts like jars, jarlets porcelain vases, jugs and other antiques dug out in the vicinity of Mt. Vulcan. Some these treasures date back to the Chung and Ming dynasties of old China.

Nearby, Mt. Vulcan looms like a forbidding apparition by the sea. It has since been transformed into a sublime tourist spot making it the site of the Stations of the Cross which windup to otherwise perilous shape.

This is the land mark of the “Panaad”, an annual trek around the island dome by religious devotees and curious tourists during Holy Week.

But the most breathtaking panoramic vista of Camiguin can be obtained from the peak of Mt. Hibok-Hibok to which a number of adventurers from the United States, Australia and France have gone in recent years.

Image Courtesy of : Wow Philippines