Tourism – ellen tordesillas

Wasted first two years

Published by Ellen on May 26, 2018

In recent days, President Duterte has been announcing proudly his firing of officials which were rumored to be involved in graft and corruption.

Last Sunday, in his speech during the groundbreaking of Vista Alegre homes for soldiers and policemen in Talisay City, Negros Occidental , he talked about an official who talked with his relative about a government contract:” Humabol sa akin sa Cebu. You go. Both of you, you go. Wala akong, wala kong… I don’t want to work with you. At may isa dito, sinabi ko na. Mabuti kasi may TV. Do not entertain requests or give favors to any of my family. Huwag sa asawa ko, huwag sa akin, huwag sa mga anak ko, huwag sa mga pinsan ko. Now, if you try to say that I asked the help of the first family because you cannot decide on a certain thing, which you think would need, why do you have to consult my sister? Sinabi ko sa inyo — p***** i** ‘wag kayong — if it is a relative of mine, consider it denied”

The next day, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced that the President fired Assistant Transportation Secretary Mark Tolentino for violating his order against talking with his relatives on state contracts or appointments.

Fired Transport Asst. Secretary Mark Tolentino in Malacanang last February. Photo from Tolentino’s FB page.

Duterte’s answer to questions on Boracay

Published by Ellen on April 13, 2018

Boracay in 2011. Photo by Ellen Tordesillas

The resort owners and workers and residents of Boracay are angry and confused.

The President last week made official his rantings about Boracay and ordered it’s closure for rehabilitation for six months.

In his conference April 9 at the Davao International Airport before he took off for Boao, China, Duterte was asked by Philippine Star’s Edith Regalado what’s his masterplan for the island, with a beach considered one of the best in the world.

His answer: “In the meantime, there is no plan. My order was to clean it up. So mag-clean, sarado, there is one way in and one way out….

DOT ‘Sights’ ad far from reality

Published by Ellen on June 16, 2017

Image from “Sights” video which has been taken out online.

I’m glad that the Department of Tourism scrapped its latest ‘Sights’ advertisement but not only for the reason that the officials mentioned.

Aside from it being closely similar to the South African campaign, which the same ad agency- McCann World group- is said to have also produced, the ad is so removed from reality.

It presents the Philippines as a destination friendly to Persons with Disabilities (PWD) which is a big lie.

Pakiusap kay Wanda Teo: Kausapin mo ang Pangulo

Published by Ellen on March 26, 2017

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo:Maling paki-usap

Parang naawa din naman ako kay Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.

Hindi ka naman pwedeng magalit dahil mabait naman siyang naki-usap sa media. Despalinghado lang ang paki-usap.

Noong isang linggo sa Bangkok naki-usap si Teo sa media na i-tone down o bawasan ang pag-report tungkol sa extra-judicial killings o ang mga walang pakundangang pagpatay kahit hindi dumaan sa proseso ng batas ang mga napatay.

Yun din ang paki-usap niya kay Vice President Leni Robredo na nagbigay ng mensade sa pamamagitan ng video sa isang miting ng United Nations sa Vienna na kinukundena ang patayan kunektado sa giyera ni Pangulong Duterte laban sa droga.

Tourism and peace and order

Published by Ellen on February 1, 2017

Congratulations to the people who made the staging of the 65th Miss Universe in the Philippines a rousing success.
The publicity that the Philippines got from the pageant and the goodwill generated from the 86 beauties were a bonanza to Philippine tourism.

Miss Universe candidates in Boracay. DOT photo.

Last Monday’s pageant financier former Ilocos Sur Chavit Singson said the $14 million he shelled out will return in terms of more visitors to the country that are expected to fill up hotels, resorts airline seats, restaurant and other tourism-related businesses.

The more visitors, the Filipinos would be employed for a more vibrant Philippine economy.

Now, when visitors come, will they feel safe and leave the Philippines with beautiful memories of the country to share with others?

The story of two unreceived notices: 2. Dennis Garcia of The Hotdog

Published by Ellen on June 30, 2015

The Hotdog's Manila , used by Resorts World without permission from creator. — The Hotdog’s Manila , used by Resorts World without permission from creator.

I have been following another case that involved a failed delivery of a letter.

The issue is about copyright, an artist’s protection for his or her creations.

Dennis Garcia of the much-loved Hotdog band wrote that over a week ago, his group was about to close a lucrative deal with a reputable casino group and it involved the use of iconic “Manila”, the song that he and his brother,Rene,created.

Dismissed baggage handlers at NAIA appeal for their side to be heard

Published by Ellen on May 6, 2015

Waiting and hoping that your baggage is intact.NAIA baggage carousel.

A few weeks ago, six baggage handlers in NAIA1 were apprehended by airport intelligence agents after valuables suspected to have been stolen from passengers’ baggage were found in their lockers.

Reports said items found in the baggage handlers’ lockers included a gold ring and earring, a G-Shock wristwatch, a Seiko wristwatch, and three branded men’s sunglasses and padlocks.

Officials of the Manila International Airport Authority, the office that oversees international airports in the country, said they have outsourced baggage handling at the airports so the handlers were employees of one of the accredited companies.

MIAA General manager Angel Honrado said the six were suspended. At the same time, he advised passengers not to put valuables especially cash and jewelry in their checked-in baggage.

NAIA1 no longer world’s worst, now ranked 4th-worst

Published by Ellen on October 16, 2014

By Ellen T.Tordesillas, VERA Files

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Teminal 1 (NAIA1) is no longer the worst airport in the world, according to an online website dedicated to reviewing airports all over the world.

NAIA is now No. four in the 2014 list of Worst Airports of “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports,” outranked by Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Pakistan (1st); Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia (2nd); and Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal (3rd).

The Guide to Sleeping in Airports explained the improvement in ranking of NAIA1:

Standing by up in the air

Published by Ellen on April 16, 2014

Thanks to Philippine Flight Network for this photo.

As our flight from Iloilo (Philippine Airlines 934) was starting its descent to the Ninoy Aquino International Airprt, the pilot announced that we were number 12 in the queue for landing and that our arrival would be delayed by 30 minutes. Reason: traffic congestion.

This kind of delay due to traffic congestion at NAIA has become a standard happening. It has become a practice.
Two weeks ago when we went to Palawan, our departure was delayed for about 30 minutes.

We were already seated, our seatbelts fastened yet we were not taking until after half-an-hour later. Same reason: traffic congestion.

Concerns about mammoth complex in Boracay

Published by Ellen on February 14, 2013

It’s only February and we are now feeling the beginning of summer.

It’s now time to look for budget offers from airlines and out-of-town hotels.

Boracay island — Boracay. From Korea News Online

Boracay is a logical destination for us because our place in Antique is just three hours away by bus to the popular island.

A recent Facebook post by the peripatetic Teddy Montelibano on Boracay on the plan of San Miguel Corporation to develop Boracay makes it compelling for us enjoy Boracay now.

Teddy’s post was from the FB page of the province of Aklan boasting of the “Country’s biggest hotel and coliseum to rise at Boracay Airport Complex.”

The project which had no less than President Aquino as guest when the renovated Caticlan airport was inaugurated in June last year is to be undertaken by TransAire Development Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp.

Category: Tourism