Category Archives: Thoughts

DOT announces new tourism campaign

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new tourism campaign

A new leaf has turned for Philippine tourism. The Department of Tourism revealed the most awaited campaign for the Philippines.

“Finally the Philippines has a simple truthful answer to what has always been a simple question,Why should I go to the Philippines?” said DOT secretary Mon Jimenez.

“When you are asked, why the Philippines? Because, it’s more fun in the Philippines,” said Jimenez. The secretary then showed the new logo to the media.

Jimenez furthered that the new tourism campaign will be more competitive. It’s a campaign designed for the people.

“We have to challenge for attention. Tapos na po ang adjective campaigns [We're done with the adjective campaigns],” said Jimenez referring to campaigns that use adjectives such as amazing and incredible.

“It’s the Filipino people that make all the difference. The people are the differentiating factor. The Philippines is not just about beautiful sights. Tayo ang unique,” added Jimenez.

The tourism secretary also announced that starting 2012, there will be no 21-day visa restriction.

‎”Starting this 2012, no more 21-day visas. If our competition offers 30-day visas, that’s what we’ll offer. We’ll give visa on arrival,” said Jimenez.

The Department of Tourism also disclosed the new website of Philippine tourism: http://www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/

Here’s a video of the logo:

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What do you think of the new campaign of the Department of Tourism? What will you do to promote our country?

Special Post: Boots for the barefoot

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Hiking on uneven terrain and crossing a wooden bridge are considered to be leisure activities for outdoor enthusiasts. But what if these activities are part of your daily life?

In a village tucked in the forest of Mt. Makiling, the children hike everyday on their way to school in Brgy. Bagong Silang, Los Banos, Laguna. Some are lucky to have good slippers but others don’t.


With the rough terrain that they have, slippers can easily wear out. And when it rains, one can easily slip on the muddy soil. Wearing boots during the rainy days can be a great help to these kids. This was what we learned from Mrs. Treasure Millera, one of the four teachers in the elementary school, during our ocular visit for our Christmas outreach.

“Natutuwa naman ako dahil napili nyo itong barangay namin. Marami na rin namang pumupunta dito at tumutulong simula nung sinalanta kami ng Milenyo (I’m very happy that you chose our village for your outreach activity. Many people have been visiting us and extending a hand since Typhoon Milenyo in 2006),” said Brgy. Councilor Ronnie Javier.

“Pero karamihan ng mga pumupunta dito, lagi nalang sa mga bata, wala bang para sa mga matatanda? (But most of the time, people only hold outreach for the kids. I hope there’s also an outreach for us adults.),” He jokingly asked.

“Pwede naman din po kayong sumali sa games (You can also join the games),” I answered.

If you want to share your blessings, then you can either donate in cash (through Paypal. See donate button bellow) or in kind (toys, slippers, boots for the rain). For donations in kind, kindly email author for details: hello [at] tripadora [dot] com.

Barangay Profile:

  • Population: 146 families
  • Livelihood: Agriculture (Copra, Bananas)
  • 1 Elementary school for Purok 1-3 / 4 teachers (Only 1 of the 4 lives in the same barangay. The others live far from the school)
  • School Children (age 7-12): 72
  • No clinic in the barangay
  • No electricity
  • 3 sari-sari stores
  • Lacks good roads
  • Bridge is made of bamboo. Old bridge was destroyed during the typhoon in 2006. It was not repaired since then.
  • Mode of travel: On foot from brgy. Kabulusan/ Ride a small horse (locals use small horses to carry their crops)

These were the information that we got during our meeting with the teacher and the official of the village. My friends and I planned to hold our outreach activity this coming December 15 (tentative date) in this remote village.

We’re not an organization but just a group of friends who wanted to give back to the community through this activity. This is our way of saying “Thank you Lord for all the blessings that you have showered us.”

You don’t need to be extremely rich just to extend a hand to the needy. You can make a difference and make kids happy this Christmas season.

Travel Notes:
How to get to Bagong Silang:

1. From the public market of Bay, Laguna, ride a jeepney with the route of Bitin. Fare is Php 20.00

2. Alight at Brgy. Kabulusan. You know you’re there when you see the Geothermal Powerplant sign. / Travel time from market to Kabulusan: 30 minutes.

3. Hike for about 35 minutes on rough road. Don’t forget to breathe fresh air from the mountain.

Here are other photos of Brgy. Bagong Silang:

***

Special Thanks to Ms. Darlene Pagaduan for the assistance and for Kuya Jonas Llamas for being our guide in going to Brgy. Bagong Silang.

Batanes Diaries: The four remarkable people I met in Batanes

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Photo by Izah Morales

Dear Batanes,

You hold wonders beyond compare. But more than the rolling hills and the raging waves crashing against the boulders, your treasures lie on your people. We felt the warmth of your people even if it was the winter season. Their smiles welcomed us like we were members of their family.

LOLA IDA

In Ivana, we met Lola Florestida Estrella, who inherited the House of Dakay, the oldest stone house in Batanes built in 1887.

Photo by Izah Morales

I was humbled when we went inside her home. The old woman was sitting beside her bed, which has no foam but only a blanket.

She welcomed us even if she was not that feeling well. It must be the cold weather that caused her cough and flu. She smiled while telling us stories about her family and her famous abode.

photo by izah morales

Though a native of Batanes, she was born in Silay, Negros Occidental in 1926, when her parents were still working as farmers in a sugar cane plantation. But in 1935, her family returned to Batanes. Her father Jose Estrella was better known as Dakay. The name was derived from the word parakay, which means glowing under the sun.

Lola Ida shared that she eats kamote (root crop), which makes her strong. She was alone when we arrived, so I asked, “Sino po ang kasama ninyo sa bahay?” (Who’s living with you in this house?)

She replied, “Kasama ko ang kapatid ko pero sa kabila sya nakatira.” (My sister is looking after me but she lives at the other house.) As much as I wanted to ask more questions, I decided to just keep it and let her rest. We had our photo taken with her and bade her goodbye.

Photo by Joseph Dy

From L-R: Mike Lim, Gay Emami (ThePinayTravelJunkie.com), Leon Pangilinan Jr. (Wanderinglion), Lola Ida, Journeying James, Trip@dora, and Bless Manuel (Travelistas.org). Photo by Joseph Dy.

If ever you visit her, a little something, would be a big help for her daily needs.

LOLO MARIANO

In Chavayan, we met Lolo Mariano, a 71 year-old tukap-maker. He was braiding a bunch of abaca in his home when we arrived.

Tukap sa Dutao is their local slippers, which they use in sea and in land. He has been weaving the abaca to make it a tukap since 1954. We fondly called them Chavayanas (sounded like Havaianas). Lolo Mariano is one of the skilled and talented treasures of Batanes.

Matilde Hostallero

While walking in Chavayan, we decided to quench our thirst in a small hut, where we met Matilde Hostallero.

She sells fresh buko juice for Php 15.00. We were handing the money but she did not let us pay and considered us as her guests. Thank you Nay Matilde.

Photo by Izah Morales

It was in her hut where we found the finished Tukap.

Photo by Izah Morales

Special thanks to ThePinayTravelJunkie for being the model

After awhile, Nay Matilde accompanied us to their home, where her father Lolo Marcelo Hostallero lives. Nay Matilde devotes her time to earning a living and looking after her aged father.

LOLO MARCELO

Born on January 16, 1907, Lolo Marcelo Hostallero is known to be the oldest man in Batanes at 104 years old. He has 15 children but only 11 are living. I was surprised when I saw him weaving the nylon fishing twine into a fishing net. His daughter, Nay Matilde, said that his father’s eyes can still see clearly.

Photo by Izah Morales

Intrigued by the old man’s strength, I asked him, “Ano po ang sikreto para humaba ang buhay? Ano po ang kinakain nyo?” (What is the secret to long life? What food do you eat?) He replied, “Kamote, halaya at buko juice.”

Lolo Marcelo showed that old age is not a hindrance to living a full life.

Batanes, you’re blessed with these people. I thank God for letting me meet these inspiring people, whose lives are lived in simplicity and fullness.

Till here, 

Trip@dora


***Batanes Diaries are series of posts of my experiences in Batanes. This is my way of encouraging you guys to get to know one of the best places in the Philippines. Special Thanks to South East Asian Airlines for bringing us to Batanes as part of the Batanes Winter Bloggers’ Tour Contest. And for the warm hospitality, my utmost gratitude to Tita Lydia Roberto of Batanes Seaside Lodge & Restaurant and Hiro’s Cafe, and to DOT Region 2 director Bless Diwa for the assistance.

Trip@dora meets the princesses, the dwarfs, and the famous mouse

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“Once upon a time, there was a princess who fell under a spell of a witch: deep sleep. Only a prince’s kiss will break the spell and wake her up… And they lived happily ever after.”

Love stories of prince and princesses, the adventures and misadventures of a young lady in another world, the adventure-seeker mermaid, the seven dwarfs, and the famous mouse whose appearance has evolved throughout the ages—these became part of my childhood.

Photo by Izah Morales/ 2010

I watched them on TV, the big screen, and on VHS. I also read their stories, which influenced me to create my own story of royalties. I remember writing a short novel back in 5th grade. I even drew gowns worn by the characters, which my childhood mind created.

Fast forward to 2010, one cold December, I thought I was in dreamland but no, I was in Hong Kong Disneyland. It was real. I felt like a kid again especially when I saw the iconic castle.

I even lined up to have my picture taken with some of my favorite Disney characters.

  • The bookworm and loving daughter who showed that beauty is beyond skin deep and that love goes beyond the physical appearance. That was Belle in Beauty and the Beast.
Belle talks to the Chinese kids

And there goes the big kid who wore a big smile for the photo-op:
  • The princess who waited in sleep and woke up to reality that someone is out there to save her—Briar Rose, the Sleeping Beauty, who was wide awake in the castle.

  • The kind-hearted lady who did not let her dream remain a dream… she attended the party in the palace and left a shoe after beating the 12 midnight curfew from her fairy godmother–Cinderella. Well, she was wearing her other shoe during the parade.

  • The young girl whose itchy feet brought her to her life’s greatest adventure–Alice in Wonderland.

  • The adventure-seeker mermaid who dreamed of having feet instead of fins and walk into the world of humans—Ariel, the Little Mermaid.
  • The princess whose skin is as white as snow and the answer of the mirror to the question, “Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”—Snow White.

  • Of course, the Seven Dwarfs came dancing on the streets: Doc, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy and Dopey!

  • And the mouse, whose face became the icon of Disneyland—Mickey Mouse! Hey Mickey, You’re so fine! Hey Mickey!

The characters which I used to watch and read came out of the books and TV screen. It was so much fun to reminisce the memories of childhood. Disneyland has brought out the kid in me. It was where fantasy met reality.

God gave us the pen and it’s up to us, if we want to write, “And they lived happily ever after.”  The End. 

Travel Notes: 

  • How to go to Hong Kong Disneyland- Click the link & watch the video
  • Disneyland Ticket costs 350 HKD (Price last December 2010) or Php 1,921.00 or approximately, Php 2,000.00. You can buy your ticket online or you can buy it at the front office when you arrive at the park. We just bought our tickets at the park.
  • If you want to have your picture taken with the Christmas Mickey and Minnie Mouse, do it as soon as you enter the park since there’s a long queue. The photo opportunity ends at around 7pm. We didn’t have the chance since they put a cut-off time. Hence, we just had our pictures taken with the Mickey and Minnie in their usual outfits.
  • One day is not enough. We had not explored everything but we did enjoy the major attractions—I’ll write more in the next posts.