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Cebuano student in World Business Dialogue in Germany

Cebuano student Earl Christianson Ng, son of Cebu business leaders Melanie and Wilson Ng, emerged victor as a result of online voting to become the first ever student panelist in the prestigious World Business Dialogue in Cologne,Germany.

Ng will sit with 60 top businessmen who will dialogue with 300 chosen students from universities all over the world.

“Earl Christianson Ng will now represent the young generation as speaker in the opening panel of the 16th World Business Dialogue,” read a statement from the World Business Dialogue which the latter posted in its website.

This will be the first time in the history of the largest global student-run convention, organized by the University of Cologne in Germany to have a student speaking on stage with renowned speakers. Past convention speakers included Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, and current New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Ng, who bested close rival Parul Arora of India and three other student hopefuls in said online voting, is scheduled to be the fourth person to speak in the Opening that will run from March 13 to 14, 2013.

“Thank you to everyone who voted for me! I truly feel blessed to have so many friends other than my family, who have supported me through this contest,” Ng said.

Ng, along with the others who vied for said panel seat, were given 30 seconds to share their expertise and experience and explain why should they be chosen as the first student panelist in the gathering.

“I’m incredibly interested in how different cultures can blend together as well as how different economic and business perspectives from people of different borders can come together and I hope to bring this heritage to any discussion,“ Ng said in his 30 second pitch for the panelist slot.

The Philippines to stage historic NBA game in October

The NBA will hold a historic first pre-season game in the Philippines with the Houston Rockets, led by All-Star James Harden and Jeremy Lin, and the Indiana Pacers clashing at the MOA Arena in Pasay City in what could well break all turnouts in any local sportingevent.

“Our game in Manila is an exciting opportunity to connect with the passionate basketball fans in the Phl and across Southeast Asia,” said NBA commissioner David Stern through a video feed shown at the MOA Arena yesterday.

“The Philippines is an ideal setting for the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers to take part in a showcase of our game and give fans in the region an authentic NBA experience,” he added.

Also gracing the historic launch were SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president Hans Sy, whose family owns the brand-new, state-of-the-art venue located beside the SM Mall of Asia, and Scott Levy, senior vice president and marketing director for NBA Asia.

“This is a historic moment for Filipinos,” said Sy. “The Filipinos are one of the biggest basketball fans in the world and it is only fitting that we bring the NBA pre-season game closer to the fans.

“And SM will make it happen at the Mall of Asia Arena,” he added.

The last time the NBA sent a team to the Phl was in 1979 when the Washington Bullets, now the Wizards, played an all-star team from the PBA.

“Basketball in the Phl has always been part of the folklore in the NBA so it’s just right that we bring the NBA here,” said Levy, who was accompanied by fellow NBA Asia official Francisco Suarez.

Carlo Singson, NBA Asia country manager to the Phl, said releasing of the tickets will be announced in a couple of weeks and it will be priced affordably.

“It will be announced soon and we’re assuring everyone tickets will be affordable,” said Singson.

A galaxy of NBA stars, headed by Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Derrick Rose, played a pair of exhibition games against the PBA All-Star and the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas team in the Smart All-Star Weekend at the Big Dome two years ago.

But the Indiana-Houston match is expected to surpass that one in terms of interest, excitement and level of play as the two teams are both playoff-bound in this year’s NBA. The Pacers lead the Central Division and are in second in the Eastern Conference behind the Miami Heat while the Rockets are currently at No. 7 in the West side.

Also, the two teams will parade an exciting group of players spearheaded by Harden, who will be making a second trip back to the Phl, of Houston and Danny Granger, Paul George, David West and Roy Hibbert of Indiana.

Other players to watch are Lin, Chandler Parsons, and Omer Asik of the Rockets and George Hill, Lance Stephenson and 2007 NBA slam dunk champion Gerald Green of the Pacers.

The pre-season game is part of the NBA’s comprehensive global expansion as its schedule includes eight teams playing in seven other major cities.

Also on tap are the pre-season games between the Oklahoma Thunder against Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul on Oct. 5 in Istanbul, Turkey; Philadelphia 76ers vs Uxue Bilbao Basket on Oct. 6 in Bilbao, Spain; the Thunder versus the 76ers on Oct. 8 in Manchester, England before the Indiana-Houston game.

After the Phl, the Rockets and the Pacers will fly to Chinese Taipei to clash again on Oct. 13, or a day after the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards collide on Oct. 12 in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.

The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers will then play a couple of games in China on Oct. 15 and on Oct. 18.

10 Reasons Why You Should Travel to the Philippines

Visiting the Philippines is big fun. Perfect beaches. Friendly locals. Beautiful nature.

Plus, it’s a cheap country to travel, you’ll get a great value for your money.

I’ve been four times to the Philippines and spent in total more than eight months there and hell… This place blew my mind  Whenever I meet travelers, I encourage them to go to Philippines, because for some reasons, people are still hesitant and stick to the ordinary “Thailand-Laos-Cambodia-Vietnam Route”. Don’t miss out on such an amazing country!! In my opinion, Philippines is better than all of these countries together. And I tell you why!

HERE ARE MY 10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES!

1. THE PEOPLE
   
   The hospitality of Filipinos is incomparable to the rest of the world.
   In my experience, from all the Asians I have met, Filipinos are the most kind and friendly people, extremely welcoming and curious, but also respectful. They always seem happy and smiling, and they love to sing and to dance whenever there is an occasion to celebrate.
   I don’t feel like a walking wallet in the Philippines and getting in touch with locals and becoming friends with them is much easier over there than in other countries. If I look in my Facebook, I think by now I have more friends from Philippines than from my own country. I’m still in touch with many Filipinos I met during my trips, many of them I met again or even traveled together. They turned out as faithful, kind and caring friends. To sum it up, I love them!
2. PARADISE BEACHES AND ISLANDS
   
   Philippines is one of the largest island groups in the world with 7,107 islands.
   Philippines islands and beaches are … Heaven. Paradise. Amazing. No kidding. I hardly found better beaches in the world than there. The queen of all the beaches is probably White Beach in Boracay, constantly rated as one of the Top 10 beaches of the world. I wouldn’t say it’s the best one, but certainly the most famous one. If you are into white sandy beaches and turquoise crystal-clear waters, you’re in the right country. Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands. It’s not hard to find your dream beach or a pristine island over there and having it all for yourself…
3. SHOPPING
   Get lost in one of the biggest shopping malls in the world.
   When I noticed all the giant shopping malls in Manila, I had a feeling that Filipinos must be crazy about shopping. Later I figured out that shopping is also a way of family gathering for them. Or as one of my Filipina friends says: “They come for the air conditioning.”
   Anyway, shopping in the Philippines can be quite a worthwhile experience. The country is known by many as a great handicraft center. Manila has fantastic shopping opportunities. There are a lot of places to go and it all depends on what you intend to buy, and how much is your budget.
   SM City North EDSA, located in Quezon City is the biggest mall in South East Asia, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay is the 2nd largest mall in the Philippines after SM City North EDSA, and the 4th largest shopping mall in the world. Boutiques, supermarkets, fashion outlets, restaurants of all kinds, coffee shops, movie theaters and 3D cinemas, Internet cafes, Spas, you will find everything there to entertain yourself for a whole day.
   If you look for something like a flea market, check out Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, loads of stalls with DVDs, antiques, jewelry and pearls and of course cheap fake branded clothes.
4. NATURE, FLORA AND FAUNA
   
   Philippines has one of the most diverse wildlife in the world.
   Philippines is home of a diverse range of birds, plants, animals and sea creatures. There are nearly 200 mammal species in the Philippines. The Philippine Tarsier is one of the smallest (and cutest!) species of monkeys in the world. You will find more than 600 species of birds, over 300 species of reptiles and amphibians and at least 400 coral species. From the giant whale shark to the world’s smallest fish (Pandaca pygmea), everything you can dream of is united in the beautiful islands of the Philippines.
   Philippines has some stunning surroundings, the fantastic Chocolate Hills in Bohol, the Rice Terraces in Banaue… You can climb one of the 37 volcanoes, for example the Mount Pinatubo, or see the world’s smallest volcano of Taal. You can discover caves, lakes and waterfalls. If you love nature, you will love the Philippines.
5. WEATHER AND CLIMATE
   
   The average yearly temperature is around 26.6°C.
   Luckily, the weather in the Philippines does not reach a point of extreme hot or extreme cold temperatures, so you can easily adapt to the tropical weather. The best time to go is between November and May.
   They also have a monsoon season over there and loads of rain between June and October. But honestly, I don’t care, it wouldn’t stop me from going there if I would have a chance. Nothing is more magical than swimming in the sea on a rainy day, the sun shines through the clouds and the water is 30°C… Anyway, the weather is pretty much unpredictable since global warming.
6. FOOD
   
   “What? The food?” You might ask…
   Well, I know, Filipino cuisine is not that famous around the globe, and I have to admit, I’ve never seen a Filipino restaurant outside of the country. BUT that doesn’t mean the food tastes bad, not at all! Filipinos love their food and there are a lot of things worth trying! It probably describes it best to say, Filipino food is a mix of Malay, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese and American cuisine. Check this out:
   • Must try: Calamansi juice, made of a citrus fruit.
   • Philippines has too many bananas, so they invented a new type of ketchup: the Banana ketchup.
   • Halo-Halo, a delicious dessert made of milk, kidney beans, fruits and ice cream. Too much for one, so please share (with someone nice)!
   • Be brave and try Balut, a boiled egg with an underdeveloped duck (embryo) inside!!
   • Pancit, many types of noodles with veggies and meat.
   • Sinigang, a tamarind based sour soup.
   • Barbecue sticks of chicken and pork intestines.
   • Adobo, a dish with chicken, beef or pork cooked with vinegar and soy sauce.
   All the fruits in Philippines are simply mouth-watering, you can have them everywhere fresh and cheap: pineapples, coconuts, mangoes, durians (smells like hell, but tastes like heaven), papayas and so much more…
   If you love fresh seafood, from lobster to crabs, tiger prawns, octopus, you will find it all for very low prices. And if that all doesn’t appeal to you, don’t worry, you’ll find almost any kind of food, from Thai-Food to Sushi, Indian Food, Pizza and Pasta, Burger, German Bakeries, you will find those places in Manila, Cebu and of course, in Boracay 
7. CHEAP ALCOHOL
   A place where rum is cheaper than juice.
   The prices for booze in Philippines are lower than in most countries I have been. Whenever you order a rum with juice, you can be sure to get a good mix as the juice might be more expensive than the rum. 
   Definitely a must-try is the Red Horse beer! Stronger than normal beer, but nobody actually knows how much stronger, since it’s not written on the bottle. In a supermarket, a 0,5l bottle cost 20 pesos (a half US Dollar).
   A bottle of Tanduay Rum cost 1 US Dollar. My favorite Rum is the Boracay Coconut Rum, watch out for the white bottle, looks like Malibu. It’s very delicious mixed with pineapple juice. Get your 0,7l bottle for only 80 Pesos.
8. MASSAGE, RELAX AND REJUVENATE
   
   Pamper your body with a good massage.
   One of the greatest things to do in Philippines is pampering your body with a good massage. Massage places and spas are all over the country, from luxury spas to massage ladies on the beach, you will find them almost everywhere. I can highly recommend trying a Swedish massage, it’s a full body massage with oil.
   The photo above is taken in Boracay, where you get a massage for 350 Pesos/hour at most of the places (around 8 US Dollar).
9. NO LANGUAGE BARRIER
   Over 98% of the population speaks English.
   Big advantage compare to other Asian countries: Everybody speaks English in the Philippines, from a 3 year old kid to the 90 year old granny. English is the language of the government, and the preference for written communication, be it in school or business. There are also plenty of English version newspapers and magazines.
10. THE COLORFUL JEEPNEY
    
    Explore the country like a local.
    Another thing you have to do in the Philippines is riding in or on a jeepney! Why? Because it’s fun! It’s cheap and it’s windy, no need of an air conditioner!
    But what are these jeepneys and where do they come from? The U.S troops left old military jeeps back in WW2. The Filipinos opened the back, added two benches, gave them a colorful and unique design, decorative ornaments, flashy paintings, stars, dots and sometimes even extra lights. And just like that, the Philippine jeepney became a cultural sign of the country.
    An average jeepney can carry 16 – 20 passengers, two up front next to the driver and 14 – 18 seated in the back facing each other on two benches. Well, that’s the normal case, but often you’ll see an extra body hanging outside or onto the back, or people even occupy the roof. For some reason, mostly these “outside” passengers are young and male. You will be surprised, how much a jeepney can carry.
    To get a sense of the place from the local’s perspective and to see how people interact, Jeepneys are a fantastic way to explore the country. So don’t forget to hop on one whenever you have the chance!

WEF lists Philippines as one of tourism sector's “rising stars”

(Updated 11:54 a.m.) The World Economic Forum reported on Thursday that the Philippines now one of the world's “rising stars” and the most improved Asian nation in terms of travel and tourism.

 

The Philippines “is the most improved country in the region,” WEF said in its “Travel and Competitiveness” report, noting the country's “comparative strengths” in natural resources, price competitiveness, and a “very strong” prioritization of the sector.

 

In the WEF ranking of 140 countries, the Philippines placed 82, up from 94 in the WEF 2011 list that  covered 139 countries.

 

“Government spending on the sector as a percentage of GDP (gross domestic product) is now first in the world, and tourism marketing and branding campaigns are seen to be increasingly effective,” the WEF report read, referring to the Aquino administration's tourism initiatives and branding—“It's more fun in the Philippines”—campaign. 

 

“In addition, the country has been ensuring that several aspects of its policy rules and regulations regime are conducive to the development of the... sector,” it added. 

 

WEF listed better protection of property rights, more openness toward foreign investments, and few visa requirements for foreign visitors as areas where the Philippines fared well in terms of policy.

 

In a statement on the report's release, WEF called the Philippines along with Panama—whose ranking jumped to 37 from 52—as the world's “rising stars” due to “ policy improvements supporting the [travel and tourism] industry.”

 

The report noted the Philippines should improve on other areas to further raise its ranking. 

 

“However, other areas—such as the difficulty of starting a business in the country, in both cost and length of the process—remain a challenge,” the report  read. 

 

“Moreover, safety and security concerns; inadequate health and hygiene; and underdeveloped ground transport, tourism, and ICT (information and communications technology) infrastructure are all holding back the potential of the economy’s competitiveness,” it added.

 

Last month, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said his department is targeting a bigger contribution of  tourism to the GDP and partnering with other agencies in improving travel infrastructure and policies. 

 

The government wants to attract 10 million foreign tourists in the country. Last year, there were 4.3 million foreigners who traveled to the Philippines. 

 

The WEF report, meanwhile, noted that Switzerland remained as the world's most competitive travel and tourism destination in 2013. 

 

Germany maintained its second best ranking, while Austria inched up to the third spot from fourth place.

Conceived in 1971 by European business leaders, WEF is an independent international organization that aims to engage business, political, academic and governments to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

 

The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013 assessed 140 economies based on the extent of  factors and policies in place to develop and make the sector more attractive. — Siegfrid Alegado/VS, GMA News

Baler, PHL's new emerging destination, is more than just a surfer's paradise

Between the towering Sierra Madre mountain range and the waters of the Pacific Ocean lies Baler, a surfer's paradise in Aurora province. With waves over nine feet high, the town is a popular attraction during the surfing season.

 

Popular spots include the long stretch of gray sandy beach in Sabang, Cemento Reef, Dicasalarin Point, Charlie’s Point, and Dalugan Bay. From March to June, the waves are moderate and ideal for swimming. But during the surfing season from October to February, the big waves come in, particularly at Lindy's Point. Located along the southern part of the beach, this is where experts can ride more challenging waves.

 

But there is more to Baler than surfing. The town was named by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) as among the Philippines'new emerging destinations for 2013.

 

Different rock formations, hiking trails, waterfall destinations and secluded coves make Baler a haven for eco-tourism adventure, which the PTAA highlighted at the recent Travel and Tour Expo. 

 

PTAA president John Paul Cabalza noted that apart from its waves, Baler has numerous waterfalls. 

 

"We did experience it, and it was a very fun trek. Even if you swim at their waterfalls area, it's not that deep," Cabalza said during a press conference last February 5.

 

Cabalza noted that Baler is also an excellent historical destination. 

 

"They also have a history trail there on what has transpired in the Baler Church between the Spaniards at that time and the Filipinos," he said, referring to the Siege of Baler during which a Spanish garrison of four officers and 50 men was besieged by Filipino insurgents from June 27, 1898 to July 2, 1899.

 

At the foot of Ermita hill stands a sculpture depicting fathers, mothers and children clambering up on the hill to escape the rampaging waves.

Part of the history trail is Ermita Hill, where visitors can get a good view of Casiguran Bay, Sabang Beach and the nearby islets. 

 

"In 1735, a huge tsunami hit the area and only a few survivors who went up the Ermita Hill were saved from that holocaust," Cabalza said. The survivors made the place their temporary resettlement, and named it “Kinagunasan” which means “devastated,” according to the official website of the Aurora provincial government. 

 

Tourism efforts

 

"We will assist the Department of Tourism and the local government units to ensure these tourist destinations get the necessary upgrades. There should be a collective action from all the stakeholders for the country's tourism to continuously grow," Cabalza said in a PTAA news release.

 

According to Cabalza, there are currently more than 15 resorts operating in the area. 

 

One of the new resorts set to open soon is Costa Pacifica Raintree. The resort, which is scheduled to open its doors in the first quarter of 2013, will give travelers the option of enjoying a bit of luxury, with its handsomely-designed suites, as they explore Baler. 

 

Costa Pacifica Raintree said it can arrange tours to various Baler tourist spots, such as the white-sand Dicasalarin Beach where the 2008 movie "Baler" was filmed. 

 

It can also arrange for treks up Mount Udok and Mount Maaling-aling, or diving trips to some of Baler's marine protected areas. Just off the coast, for instance, are the coral-rich islands of Dimadimalangat, Aniao and Lukso-Lukso. 

 

The resort also arranges tours around Baler's cultural and historical destinations, including Ermita Hill, Baler Church, and Quezon Memorial Park, dedicated to the late President Manuel Luis Quezon, who was born in Baler. 

 

Tucked between mountain and sea, Baler is the economic hub and political center of the province of Aurora.

"Those who want to know more about the man can visit the Quezon Memorial Park—a beautiful park with stately trees, flowering ornamentals and gardens," they said. In the middle of the park is Museo de Baler, which houses the town's artifacts. The building itself features the Baler Historical Mural on the facade, designed by sculptor Toym Imao in 2008.

 

With its natural wonders and rich history, Baler is an ideal getaway spot. As Costa Pacifica Raintree put it, "For those who vacation in the more popular destinations south of Metro Manila, Baler seems like a distant and remote spot. To the peripatetic and those bitten by wanderlust, Baler is a jewel of a paradise waiting to be discovered.” —KG, GMA News

Tourism boost seen after signing of law scrapping foreign carriers' tax

Tourism in the Philippines is expected to get a big boost after President Benigno Aquino III signed a new law exempting foreign air and shipping carriers from paying the common carriers tax on passenger traffic.

John Paul Cabalza, president of Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), said the travel industry “has long waited" for the removal of the Common Carriers Tax (CCT) and Gross Philippine Billing Tax (GPBT) as it is expected to drive more foreign airlines to mount additional flights to the Philippines.

“This will definitely boost the Philippine tourism industry as unnecessary barriers to entry into the country have been removed,” Cabalza said in a statement. “We lastly congratulate and thank President Aquino for signing it into law.”

Cabalza explained that PTAA maintains the scrapping of the tax regime would greatly impact the government's target to reach 10 million tourists by 2016.

Strategic move

Aquino described the signing of the law as a "strategic move."

"This will actually mean an initial loss in revenue for us; but it is ultimately a strategic move," he said Thursday in his speech at the Philippine Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions Conference in Davao.

"Airlines have long asked for this measure, since it will only bring in more traffic, and facilitate connectivity among our countries," Aquino added.

Under Republic Act 10374, international air and shipping carriers are exempted from paying GPBT provided that the carrier's home country "grants income tax exemption to Philippine carriers" on the basis of reciprocity or an applicable tax treaty or international agreement.

The law also exempted international carriers from paying the 12 percent value added tax (VAT) for the transport of passengers.

Cabalza said both CCT and GPBT carries a 5.50 percent tax on airlines that translates to P2.50 billion in revenues for the government.

'Onerous' taxation

The PTAA has been actively supporting for the past two years the calls of various local and foreign associations, including the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) to fix what it described as an onerous taxation on airlines.

The Philippines currently has six million seats available with about 369 flights weekly, the second lowest in Asia and just slightly ahead of Cambodia.

Cabalza said revenue losses from the CCT and the GPBT would be replaced by 20 million seats by 2016 and would translate to at least an eight-percent reduction in airfares. “The law aims to attract foreign carriers to operate more flights to and from the Philippines, helping boost tourist arrivals,” he said.

Aquino, for his part, said "everybody wins" with the new law.

“With this bill, everybody wins: from our aviation industries, to our tourism industries, to the millions of our peoples who will have greater freedom in planning their trips. So I would like to thank our legislators who worked on this,” he said. — with Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News