PH eyes holding tourism fair in Singapore

MANILA – With less than 200,000 Singaporean visitors to the Philippines in 2017, Manila is planning to hold a tourism fair in the Southeast Asian state this year to further increase Singaporean arrivals, an envoy said Tuesdsay.

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap said there is no tourism attache in the city-state at present, but the embassy is working closely with the Department of Tourism (DOT) in drumming up promotions.

"In tourism, we actually work through the Department of Tourism. They don’t have an attache here but they worked with a person who promotes Philippine tourism," he said. "And the embassy also, we tried to work with them as well as our other Filipino partners here, like the airlines, for example, the Philippine Airlines."

"For this year, for example, they are planning to have a tourism fair, specifically to promote the Philippines to Singaporeans," he added.

Yap said roughly 200,000 Singaporeans travel to the Philippines annually as tourists, while about 500,000 Filipinos come to Singapore.

"But of course, that means we can still try to improve that balance and try to get more Singaporeans to visit the Philippines," Yap said.

With additional emphasis on more tourism fairs, more cooperation with travel agents in Singapore, and more direct flights to the Philippines, the envoy said Manila can easily increase the number of Singaporean tourists.

Based on latest DOT data, Singaporean visitors in 2017 decreased by 4.21 percent from 176,057 in 2016 to at least 168,637 last year. (PNA/By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/re-posted by: Becky D. de Asis)  

Outgoing AFP chief: Galvez very capable of leading military

MANILA -- Incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez is very capable of leading the 120,000-strong military, outgoing AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said Sunday.

Guerrero said Galvez's competence was proven by his ability to lead and command various forces which includes battalion and brigade-sized formations.

Aside from this, Galvez also served as staff officer at the AFP General Headquarters and special duties as head of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities.

"Most recently, he has distinguished himself as a Western Mindanao commander during the Marawi Siege. So he (is) more than capable," Guerrero said.

Guerrero, who is scheduled to step down on Wednesday, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1984.

His replacement, Galvez, is a member of PMA Class of 1985.

The incoming AFP chief was a recipient of the United States Eisenhower Fellowships in 2006 and was adjudged as one of the “The Outstanding Philippine Soldier (TOPS) in 2007.

During Galvez's stint as 1st Scout Ranger Battalion commander, which operated in Sulu and Basilan against the Abu Sayyaf terrorists, the unit was named Best Scout Ranger Battalion in 2000 and 2001.

It was also chosen as the Philippine Army Best Battalion for Combat Operations in 2002.

He is also a recipient of the Military Merit Medal, Military Commendation Medal, Gold Cross Medal, Distinguished Service Star, Leadership Award and Outstanding Achievement Medal. (PNA)

Central Visayas records 6.9-M local, foreign tourists in 2017

MANILA-- The Department of Tourism (DOT) Central Visayas has tallied around 6.9 million tourist arrivals from January to December 2017, recording a 17.13 percent growth rate from 2016.

According to the agency, this figure surpassed its 6.3 million target for the said year.

DOT attributed the increase to the active movement of Filipinos travelling to different destinations in the Philippines. 

This boosted Cebu and Central Visayas' tourism industry, as domestic travelers dominated the arrival volume by 58.33 percent or with four million locals visiting Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The top ten tourism markets recorded by DOT Region VII, included Korea, with the highest at 895,776 followed by China with a volume of 429,306, Japan with 408,566, and US with 219,796.

DOT-7 also recorded a total of 71,739 visitors coming from Taiwan, Australia with 71,724, Germany with 58 432, followed by France with 50,257, UK with 49,484, and Canada in tenth place with 43,084 registered tourists.

The tourist influx can also be attributed to the increase of direct international commercial and chartered flights to Cebu from other countries.

DOT said Cebu and Bohol have become a choice venue for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings last year.

Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City, Panglao, Dumaguete City and Tagbilaran City also recorded a competitive number of tourist arrivals.

Aside from massive promotions, the implementation of the Tourism Road Infrastructure Projects has also contributed to visitors coming in, due to greater access to tourist sites in the region. (PNA)- (posted by Becky D. de Asis/Redline News Philippines)

Sagay City’s Sinigayan wins 2018 Panaad Festival Dance

BACOLOD CITY -- After placing second place last year, the Sinigayan Festival of Sagay City bagged the top prize in the 2018 Festival Dance Competition of the 25th Panaad sa Negros Festival held at the Panaad Park and Stadium here on Saturday night.

Sagay bested 21 other entries to win the championship trophy and cash prize of PHP75,000 for its marine protection-themed presentation, depicting “under the sea” creatures in giant props bursting with vibrant colors.

La Castellana’s Bailes de Luces took the second place, winning PHP60,000 in cash; Talisay City’s Minuluan Festival, third, PHP45,000; Ilog's Kisi-Kisi Festival, fourth, PHP30,000; and Kabankalan City's Udyakan Festival, fifth, PHP20,000.

Last year’s champion, Tinabu-ay Festival of Murcia, skipped the 2018 competition after making it to the Hall of Fame for winning the top prize in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Organizers said the festival dance entries depict the unique character of each of the town’s festival in a colorful and jubilant presentation.

Each participating town or city had 20 to 50 performers taking the Panaad stage for a maximum of five minutes.

This year’s judges included multi-awarded artistic director and dance educator Shirley Halili-Cruz, Davao City events organizer Corazon Agustin, Negros Oriental Second District Board Member Mariant Escaño-Villegas, theater artist-teacher Rosanna Quesada-Palm, and Silliman University dance artistic director Engel Boen Zerna.

The festival dance showdown is one of the main events of the annual Panaad sa Negros Festival.

The festivity's silver edition is slated for nine days from April 14 to 22. (PNA)

Cherry bloosoms bloomed in China

Cherry Blossoms Just Bloomed In China, Making It Look Like A Paradise....

One of the spectacles that has served as a popular drawcard for tourists from across the globe is the blossoming of cherry blossoms. 

Millions of people flock the regions in order to  visits and marvel the beauty of the blooming cherry's.