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Category: Tourism

Three people you should meet in Siem Reap

Published by Ellen on September 27, 2012

Photo from Wikipedia
I never cease to be awed by Angkor Wat.

The first time I stepped on the once- sacred grounds of the sprawling (covers an area of almost two hectares), 2,000- year old temple was an overwhelming experience. That was in 1987. I was with a group of journalists of different nationalities covering Southeast Asia. It was a side trip from our main coverage which was an interview in Phnom Penh with Cambodian officials led by Hun Sen, the former Khmer Rouge commander who abandoned the genocidal regime in 1977 and emerged as the leader of the Vietnamese-backed government. He is currently the prime minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Last week, I went back to Siem Reap with my friend, Marilyn Robles. For three days, we went temple-hopping – total of 23 temples in three days. In the process of being enthralled by the distinct features of each temple, we met interesting persons.

One was Muk Moon, former monk and a resident of Angkor Wat.

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SC rescues Boracay from further destruction

Published by Ellen on July 15, 2012

Another good news: Government demolishes illegally constructed resort rumored to be co-owned by Manny Pacquiao.

The world's best beach
Boracay Foundation Inc, , a corporation composed of at least 60 owners and representative of resorts, hotels, and similar institutions as well as community organizations and environmental advocates in Boracay island, hailed the decision of the Supreme Court ordering indefinite suspension of the reclamation project being pushed by the provincial government of Aklan as ‘a triumph of environmental justice.”

Lawyers Harry Roque and Joel Butuyan, counsels of BFI, said “the ruling will protect the best beach on earth and the country’s tourism crown jewel.”

Known as the Boracay Marina Project, the reclamation was supposed to reclaim 40 hectares costing P1.3 billion in the areas adjacent to the jetty ports, Barangays Caticlan and Manoc-manoc in the Municipality of Malay.

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Hindi “fun” pagdating sa NAIA1

Published by Ellen on July 1, 2012

Interaksyon file photo
Hindi na bago itong reklamo ngunit uulitin ko na naman dito dahil ganun pa rin ang sitwasyun sa arrival sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport 1. Nakakadismaya na nakakainis. Sobra isang oras kaming nakapila sa Immigration noong Sabado ng gabi.

Hindi bale ako dahil tatlo at kalahati oras lang ang biyahe mula Seoul. Ang marami sa mga nakapila ay galing pa ng Amerika at ang iba ay galing Middle East at Europe na humigit-kumulang 14 oras ang biyahe. Siyempre pagod na sila. May mga bata na umiiyak.

It’s not fun arriving in the Philippines via NAIA1.

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Summer talk

Published by Ellen on March 25, 2012

The green and the sea.

Summer is here.

It’s travel time and we have 7,107 choices in the country. For those who have more disposable income, Southeast Asia destinations are tantalizing.

Vacation is time for relaxation and merriment. For some it’s adventure. But we should be careful not be too relaxed that we forget caution. The last thing that we would want is to turn vacation into nightmare.

Here are some simple, practical vacation and travel tips.

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Ang ‘fun’ at hindi ‘fun’ sa Pilipinas

Published by Ellen on January 7, 2012

Nagsu-surf ako sa internet kagabi para sa pinakahuling balita tungkol sa landslide sa Compostela Valley at napansin ko na ang balita ay nasa bandang ibaba na sa mga websites ng mga diyaryo, TV stations at Facebook at ang nasa itaas ay ang bagong ad slogan ng Department of Tourism na “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

Hindi yata ‘fun’ ang ganun.

Ayun sa balita, 27 na ang patay sa Compostela Valley at marami ang sugatan. Malungkot itong trahedya lalo na malaki na naman ang kagagawan ng tao.

Mayaman kasi sa ginto ang Compostela Valley kaya namimina doon. Siyempre, binungkal mo ang bundok. Sinira mo na ang pundasyun nun. Kaya kapag lumambot ang lupa dahil sa ulan, mangyayari talaga ang landslide. Lumalaban na ang kalikasan.

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Lim’s resignation puts Mark Lapid issue in Aquino’s court

Published by Ellen on August 14, 2011

Mark Lapid: a test of Aquino's 'tuwid na daan' crusade
Now that Bertie Lim will soon be out of the Department of Tourism, the issue about Mark Lapid rests squarely with President Aquino.

People in the DOT are keenly watching the case of Lapid because it would prove to them that the President’s pledge l to lead the people through the “matuwid na daan” is more than just sloganeering.

I would like to make it clear here that the case of Lapid is a separate issue from Lim’s lackluster performance as tourism chief.

I think that quitting the DOT was a good decision for Lim. His one year stint with the DOT showed that he is not cut for that job which requires more than sincerity, honesty and dedication.

Anyway, sometime in May, Lim reported to Aquino about his problem with Lapid, chief operating officer of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), formerly Philippine Tourism Authority. The report allegedly involved deals with suppliers.

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Resort ni Pacquiao sa Boracay, grabe ang abuso sa kalikasan

Published by Ellen on June 14, 2011

Thanks to Blogwatch for this photo.
Noong administrasyun ni Gloria Arroyo, sobra ang lakas ng West Cove na kahit garapalan nang lumalabag ng batas at regulasyun sa Boracay, pinapayagan.

Sana totohanin ng munisipalidad ng Malay sa pamumuno ng mayor na si John Yap na ipasara ang West Cove. Dapat lang. Dapat nga gibain na yun dahil unang-una, bawal tayuan ng istruktura ang corals na iyon ang kinatatayuan ng resort.

Hindi pa nakuntento sa pagtayo sa bawal, nagpa-extend pa ng parang helipad at mga cabana sa dagat.

Grabeng pambabastos at paglabag ng batas ang ginawa ng West Cove sa Boracay.

Continue readingResort ni Pacquiao sa Boracay, grabe ang abuso sa kalikasan