PHILIPPINES: Civil Aeronautics Board To Decongest Ninoy Aquino International Airport In Manila

THE Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is pouring its efforts into developing new routes for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and to accommodate more airline carriers that want to make the Philippines their new hub in Asia.

Alexander Paul Rivera, CAB deputy executive director, said the easing of airline requirements particularly for low-cost carriers (LCCs) will open new opportunities for tourism since budget airlines are a game-changer in the travel and tourism industry.

The overall strategy is to encourage direct services. Because of the constraints of the Manila airport, we have developed direct routes to secondary airports and alternative routes, he said, during the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa) LCC North Asia Summit panel discussion on Monday, June 24, 2019.

This is the Philippines’ first time to host the Capa LCC North Summit.

Rivera said liberalization of regulations and policies for airlines and airports is crucial to maintaining the growth of the aviation industry.

The purpose of government regulation is to oversee the expansion of connectivity and how this benefits not only the passengers but also the airlines,” he said.

MCIA general manager and chief executive officer Steve Dicdican said they saw significant growth in tourist arrivals in Cebu driven by the expansion of LCCs. This prompted them to immediately address the need to build a second runway at MCIA.

MCIA’s annual traffic reached 11.3 million passengers in 2018 from 10.05 million in 2017. The airport is currently linked to 24 international and 33 domestic destinations.

Alexander Lao, president and chief executive officer of Cebgo, said they saw growth in the last 10 years with the removal of restrictions on aviation entitlements, which means the granting to a country’s airline of the right to land in another country.

It has benefited not just the airlines but also the customers because they now have more choices, he said.

AirAsia Philippines head of government affairs and policy Desiree Bandal said services on regional airports could increase if LCCs will expand more their network amid a freindlier business climate.

It will also spur economic activities in other parts of the country.

The impact goes beyond airlines. This also impacts the local communities because if you fly to more regional airports, it encourages growth outside Manila and it supports small and medium enterprises. So it’s a very positive outcome, she said.


Tourism Observer

PHILIPPINES: Cebu Is A Great City That Rises Daily

Waving a small bunch of unlit candles, the saffron-frocked woman hops from foot to foot, muttering prayers at the dark timber cross towering above her.

The prayers are different for each candle – red for love, green for success, yellow for health and blue for travel – and here at the Magellan pavilion in Cebu, pilgrims and tourists flock to have their names and custom prayers "danced" like this, at only 10 pesos (25¢) a candle.

We are in Cebu, the Philippines, and the woman, known as a heritage keeper, is praying under the original Magellan's Cross, which arrived here with Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, in 1521.

But the dance itself goes back even further, having been adapted by Christianity from pre-existing pagan rituals designed to appease local river gods.

Cebu is the Philippines' oldest city and, situated in the 7000-island archipelago's geographical centre, it's also regarded as the nation's cultural heart.

It's home to the Philippines' oldest Roman Catholic church, the Basilica del Santo Nino, and the oldest Spanish settlement, Fort San Pedro.

It's also known for lechon (roast pork), mangoes, handmade guitars and, every January, the Sinulog Festival, a religious street party that attracts revellers in the millions.

But something new is happening to this old city.

With the median Filipino age at just 23.5, young people are beginning to transform Cebu, riding a technological wave and breathing a youthful spark into city life.

According to our knowledgeable, if dad-joke-fuelled guide, Al Cuizon ("the lechon in Cebu is 'cholesterol free' … cholesterol comes free with your meal," he quips), after tourism, IT is now the biggest industry in Cebu and it's getting bigger.

Already home to 50 call centres that employ 100,000 people Telstra is among their clients, tech start-ups and business hubs are popping up everywhere. And, following closely behind, is a new wave of Cebuano restaurants and bars, like the Isla Ora Pizza Co.

Its co-owner, American Joseph Ferrisa, arrived here in 2013 planning a diving trip. It coincided with one of the deadliest Filipino typhoons on record, so Ferris decided to help the local community in nearby Bantayan island instead.

He helped raise US$30,000 and formed NGO Young Pioneer Disaster Response, hauling trash, repairing schools and rebuilding homes.

Since then he married a Filipina, became a dad and now co-owns Isla Ora, a chain of three new wave thin-crust Italian pizza restaurants.

The food scene is developing quite quickly, which is interesting, says Ferris, over local Cebruery craft beers at his bamboo-clad headquarters in Kasambagan.

You have that younger vibe starting here, centred around technology. In a way, I think it's the city of the future of the Philippines. So, it's exciting to be here as that starts up and while that energy is here."

Closer to the centre of town, is Casa Gorordo, a two-storey house built in the 1850s and transformed into a fascinating museum of antiquities that affords a glimpse into well-heeled Spanish colonial Cebuano life.

Downstairs you learn about the complex blending of cultures here: indigenous Filipino, Chinese, Spanish and, later, American.

Then, chanting oro, plata, mata "gold, silver, death" we walk up the timber stairs, auspiciously and by design landing at the top on oro. Our uni-student-volunteer-guide, Hannah Librando, 21, tells us to make a wish. We do. And what does she wish for? To graduate and get a decent job, she says.

Casa Gorordo, built in the 1850s, was home to four generations of Spanish merchant Isidro Gorordo's family and survived two revolutions and the Second World War before being acquired by a cultural organisation and restored.

Its immaculately presented rooms and authentic furniture and fittings were opened to the public as a museum in 1983.

While Cebu has an international airport, there are no direct flights from Australia, so most fly via Manila; Cebu is just over an hour from Manila.

Qantas, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and budget airline Cebu Pacific can all get you there. PAL flies frequently from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Darwin to Manila.

Accommodation is plentiful in this domestic tourism hub. Mactan Island, just a few kilometres from Cebu city and connected to it by two bridges, is a popular resort destination.

For example, Plantation Bay Resort & Spa offers several restaurants, artificial lagoon swimming and beach activities, including coral snorkelling.

Beach and lagoon view rooms start in low season from US$190 to US$1100 for a Quantum Villa, which includes four detached private bedrooms with a private villa.

CEBU City is P1.23 billion richer than it was in 2016 and is still the fourth richest city in the country in terms of total assets, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

From P32.62 billion in 2016, the City's assets rose to P33.86 billion the following year, based on the COA's 2017 annual financial report.

Cebu City, though, also ranked first in terms of liabilities at P24.72 billion, leaving it with a net worth of P9.14 billion.

According to the COA, this is mainly due to the City's other deferred credits or unearned income of P15.72 billion, which represents 63.59 percent of its total liabilities.

Deferred credit or unearned income refers to money received in advance before it is earned. It usually stems from complicated transactions where a credit amount arises, but the amount is not revenue.

In layman's terms, kwarta na nato nga nadawat, pero wa pa nato na-realize ang income. Dili na utang. It's just an accounting term. Mga kwarta na nato nga na-receive pero wala na-realize. Ang uban sad ana, mga dues nga wa pa na-bayaran or na-claim, said Cebu City Treasurer Veronica Morelos.

That's money we received, but has not been realized as income. That's not debt. The others are dues that haven't been paid or claimed

She attributed this to supplies that had yet to be paid, or claims of City Hall employees that had yet to be settled, among others.

"Na-obligate na nato, pero wala mabayari kay basin naay problema sa papers," she added. (Those are liabilities legally incurred and committed to be paid for, but haven't been paid for yet because there may have been problems with the papers.)

The development drew contrasting views from reelectionist Councilor Joel Garganera and Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan vice mayoral bet Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos.

I think it's a misnomer when we call ourselves as one of the richest cities when we have that much liabilities. We should get rid of that title. What determines the overall state of our city is reflected in what's going on around us, Garganera said.

For de los Santos, the findings in the financial report show a positive development.

This goes to show that two years into Mayor (Tomas) Osmeña's leadership, the City is on the right track. We have a robust city economy.

Also, note that we still have billions of unearned income. Giving Mayor Osmena another three years with his team is simply the right thing to do, she said.

Osmena himself, asked to comment on the matter on Tuesday, Nov. 6, replied, No comment.

City Treasurer Morelos stressed that the only loan the City Government has is the one it contracted for the South Road Properties (SRP) project.

Based on the COA's report, Cebu City had a loan amounting to 12.315 billion yen with the Land Bank of the Philippines and Japan International Cooperation Agency to finance the SRP project which started in 1995.

At that time, it was equivalent to P4.65 billion. It is payable within 30 years or until 2025.

In a privilege speech last September, opposition Councilor Joy Pesquera said records from the City Accounting Office as of Feb. 20 show that the City Government had already paid a total of P6.56 billion.

This includes payment of principal amounting to P3.56 billion, interest of P2.8 billion, P26 million in documentary stamps and P51,968 in bank charges. Some P1.03 billion was incurred in foreign exchange (forex) losses.

The forex loss was attributed to the City Government still needing to buy US dollars to be exchanged to Japanese yen to pay off the loan. (The US dollar-Philippine peso exchange rate in 1995 was US$1=P37. The exchange rate as of Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, was US1=P53.269.

As of calendar year 2017, the COA said the City Government had an outstanding balance of P1.09 billion on the SRP loan.

City Hall paid its loan amortization last Aug. 20. The City has been paying for its loan twice a year, on Feb. 20 and Aug. 20. The City began paying for the SRP loan in August 2005.

The executive department has also allocated P448.9 million for the amortization of the SRP loan in the proposed 2019 annual budget.

Of the amount, P347.9 million is for foreign loan payments, P97.6 million for interest expenses and P3.5 million for documentary stamp and other charges.

For Garganera, one of the mayor's critics, it would have been wise if the City Government used the payment, made by a consortium of three developers that bought 45 hectares of land in the SRP in 2015, to settle its 23-year-old loan.

I'm very much alarmed by the fact that the administration failed to understand the urgency of paying our debts. All the more with the increasing amount of interest and the fluctuating rates of foreign exchange.

We're at the losing end here with all these liabilities and increasing interest. We should put our effort in faithfully settling our dues as soon as possible, he said.

The mayor, though, has been firm in his stand to recover the property, saying the sale was illegal because Michael Rama, who was mayor then, was not authorized to dispose of the lots.

Earlier, Osmena lamented that while the City has P12 billion in cash, his administration will not touch it "because it came from an illegal sale."

Meanwhile, with total assets of P196.6 billion, Makati is still the richest city in the country, followed by Quezon City with P68.33 billion and Manila with P38.68 billion.

Other cities with the biggest amount of assets include Pasig with P33.7 billion, Taguig with P19.64 billion, Caloocan with P17 billion, Pasay with P16.66 billion, Davao with P13.18 billion and Calamba with P12.41 billion.

Aside from cities, the COA also classified the provinces with the biggest amount of assets in the same report.

From P32.43 billion in 2016, Cebu Province's assets rose to P34.14 billion the following year, making it the richest province in the country by assets for four consecutive years.

In terms of liabilities, Cebu Province ranked fifth with P2.94 billion, leaving it with a net worth of P31.2 billion.

But being number one isn't enough for gubernatorial candidate Gwen Garcia.

In a text message, the third district representative said Cebu, even during her stint as governor, was always rich above all other provinces.

But she questioned if the progress during the current administration of Gov. Hilario Davide III was felt in all parts of the Province.

“Ang pangutana mao: kini ba natagamtam sa mga Sugbuanon? Titles are empty if these do not translate to real and meaningful benefits for the people of Cebu. Buhat ang pasulti-on (Let your actions speak for themselves),” Garcia said.

But for Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who will be running against Garcia in next year's gubernatorial race, the recent accolade proved that Cebu, as a whole, enjoyed total progress through the programs and projects they introduced.

We may not have big ticket projects like the almost a billion-peso Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), but we have introduced projects that would be felt by all of our constituents, even the poorest of the poor, Magpale said.

The programs include the Paglaum Scholarship for poor college students in the province and crop insurance for affected farmers.

In a separate interview, Davide said the COA report only showed that his administration’s good governance, prudent spending and observing procurement laws paid off.

Unlike in her (Garcia) time, we would not push through with a project without going through the proper process,” Davide said, referring to Garcia’s graft charge for the anomalous procurement of the CICC back in 2006 and the illegal backfilling of the controversial Balili property in 2012.

Wala tay Balili, wala tay CICC, pero dato gihapon ta (We don't have Balili, we don't have CICC, but the Province is still rich, Davide added.

Negros Occidental is the province with the highest amount of liabilities at P5.18 billion.

Based on the COA's 2017 list of loans or credit lines availed of by local government units, Cebu Province had a transaction with Land Bank for the acquisition of light and heavy equipment at P51.3 million and another P29.7 million from the same institution.

Meanwhile, the second richest province in the country is Compostela Valley with P18.9 billion in assets, followed by Batangas with P15.6 billion.

Also included in the top 10 provinces in terms of assets is Rizal with P14 billion, Negros Occidental (P12.9 billion), Zambales (P10.4 billion), Bulacan (P10.4 billion), Palawan (P10.1 billion), Iloilo (P10 billion) and Pampanga (P9.5 billion). (With JKV)


Tourism Observer

UAE: Emirates And Etihad Cancel Flights Due To Typhoon Mangkhut

Emirates and Etihad have cancelled flights to and from Hong Kong as the world’s strongest typhoon of the year makes its way to the Asian city.

Passengers travelling to and from the Philippines and China from today until Tuesday could also expect some delays.

The Dubai-based carrier said that flights EK384 (Dubai to Hong Kong) and EK385 (Hong Kong to Dubai) have been cancelled on September 16. Passengers flying between Dubai and Bangkok are not affected.

The airline also advised that there could be delays on Emirates flights to and from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Cebu and Clark on September 16, 17 and 18.

Customers are advised to check their flight status and to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting - Manage Your Booking - to receive the latest updates, the airline said in a statement..

Emirates apologizes to its customers for the inconvenience caused. The safety of our customers and crew is of utmost importance and will not be compromised.

Etihad has also confirmed that flight EY834, which was scheduled to operate from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong on September 15, has been cancelled.

As a result, the inbound service, EY833 on 16 September, from Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi, has also been cancelled.

Guests booked on these flights are being assisted with their travel arrangements and being rebooked onto the next available flights, the airline said.

We apologise for any inconvenience this cancellation has caused, and we remain committed to offering the highest level of service to our guests. As always, safety remains the airline’s number one priority.

The super typhoon roared through the Philippines on Saturday and is now heading towards Hong Kong.

Flights cancelled:

* EK384 – Dubai (DXB) - Bangkok (BKK) – Hong Kong (HKG) (Passengers travelling from Dubai to Bangkok will not be affected)

* EK385 – Hong Kong (HKG) - Bangkok (BKK) - Dubai (DXB) (Passengers travelling from Bangkok to Dubai will not be affected)

* EY 833 – Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi


Tourism Observer

PHILIPPINES: Philippine Airlines To Fly To Kuala Lumpur After Three Years

Philippine Airlines (PAL) resumed daily service to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on June 8, 2017 after three years.

With investment opportunities in Malaysia's service and manufacturing sectors, the PAL route will provide direct access to new business opportunities. Close to 800,000 Overseas Filipino Workers are employed in Malaysia.

The resumption of PAL flights between Manila and Kuala Lumpur will help foster economic and cultural ties between the Philippines and Malaysia. Most importantly, it addresses the clamor for a direct service between the two capital cities, said PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista.

Through PAL flights and code-share partners, we can carry passenger traffic from Kuala Lumpur to China, Japan, South Pacific and North America and thus enhance our ASEAN network, he added.

As the airport operator, we are always committed towards building a strong relationship with our partner airlines to support its growth, not only in Malaysia but globally. Our mission here at Malaysia Airports is to create joyful experiences for all our stakeholders.

Therefore, we will ensure that Philippines Airlines operations will receive Malaysia Airports’ fullest support for any airport facilities and services needed at the terminal, shared Malaysia Airports Senior General Manager Zainol Mohd Isa.

The decision to return to Kuala Lumpur comes after PAL and Malaysia Airlines expanded their code-share arrangement. The enhancements include code-sharing on 12 domestic Malaysian destinations and nine domestic Philippine destinations.

The points are:

Malaysia - Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching, Labuan (Sabah), Langkawi, Miri (Sarawak), Penang, Sibu (Sarawak), Tawau (Sabah).

Philippines - Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan.

Passengers may book on Business Class or Economy Class to any of these destinations. Lounge access is also available to Business Class passengers.

Current frequent flyer baggage benefits of Mabuhay Miles and Enrich members are also extended.

Code-share passengers traveling between terminals in Manila can avail of PAL's free transfer services.

Passengers can choose from any of the daily Manila-Kuala Lumpur flight timings.

PR 525 departs Manila every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 7:25 AM and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 11:00 AM local time; the return flight – PR526 – leaves Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 12:10 PM local time, and touches down in Manila at 3:50 PM.

PR 527 leaves Manila on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 AM and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 3:00 PM local time; the return service – PR528 – departs Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 4:00 PM local time and touches down in Manila at 7:30 PM.

PAL is deploying the Airbus A321 on the route. The 199-seater aircraft has 12 seats in business class, 18 in premium economy and 169 in regular economy.

Wireless inflight entertainment can be enjoyed while flying onboard the A321 by downloading the myPAL Player app for free. This will allow passengers to stream movies, TV shows and music from their personal electronic devices. Passengers also have meal options - Asian, Western or Halal meals. Generous free baggage allowance form part of the flight offerings.

The PAL service enables travelers from KL to enjoy Manila for several days and connect to any of PAL's 28 domestic and 42 international destinations.

PHILIPPINES: UK And US Issue Travel Advisories On Palawan

“Shoot on sight” is how President Duterte wants the military to deal with Abu Sayyaf bandits, as the United States and Britain have alerted their citizens to threats of kidnapping of foreigners by the terror group in some resorts in Palawan.

My order to the security forces is stalk, shoot them on site. Patayin ninyo (Kill them), do not waste your bullet, then we take care of them in hospital.

Expend your bullet to finish the problem because it is really a problem. It is a problem of security, law and order,Duterte said in remarks before journalists shortly before his departure for Cambodia yesterday to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN.

He said soldiers should not hesitate to kill terrorists.

If you encounter them, kill them. Filipinos are in great number. Next year there will be more,there will be about 125 million of us. We can always replenish the supply, do not worry, he said in English and Filipino.

The latest advisories came weeks after the two countries and several others alerted their citizens to threats of kidnapping in Bohol.

Security forces would later pounce on Abu Sayyaf bandits in three boats in a remote riverside community in Bohol.

Six militants and four government troops died in the Bohol clashes, including terror leader Muammar Askali, also known as Abu Rami.

The US embassy has received credible information that terrorist groups may be planning to conduct kidnapping operations targeting foreign nationals in the areas of Palawan province, Philippines, to include Puerto Princesa City and the areas surrounding Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park,” the embassy said in its travel advisory.

The British embassy also advised British nationals to carefully consider travel plans and exercise heightened vigilance in the areas mentioned by the US embassy.

In its travel advice, the British embassy said “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the Philippines. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at any time and anywhere in the country.”

The travel advice said attacks could happen anywhere, including in places visited by foreigners, like airports, shopping malls, public transport and places of worship.

“You should remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious to the local authorities,” it said.

The US embassy reminded its nationals of the most recent Worldwide Caution, dated March 6, 2017, indicating threat of terrorist actions and violence against US citizens and interests abroad, including in the Philippines.

In its previous travel alert, the US embassy said it has received unsubstantiated yet credible information regarding possible kidnapping of foreigners in the Visayas, especially Cebu and Bohol.

For Western Command (Wescom) commander Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario, it would be difficult for the Abu Sayyaf to snatch tourists in Palawan as the island province is amply protected.

He also said that while the military has not confirmed any specific threat of kidnapping or any terror activity in Palawan, it is taking the US travel advisory seriously.

With their vast network, the US will not just release without any basis, he said, referring to the US embassy advisory.

However, based on our own intelligence, we view this threat as very minimal. While there were previous threat reports, these were not confirmed following weeks of validation. We don’t see anything, Del Rosario said.

He said Wescom has been on heightened alert since the clashes in Bohol between security forces and a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits.

All the security efforts are in place and the terrorist could not just penetrate the province, Del Rosario said.

PHILIPPINES: Crucifixions In The Name Of The Lord Jesus Christ

Crucifixion in the Philippines is a devotional practice held every Good Friday, and are part of the local observance of Holy Week.

Devotees or penitents called magdarame in Kapampangan are willingly crucified in imitation of Jesus Christ's suffering and death, while related practices are carry wooden crosses, crawling on rough pavement, and self-flagellation.

Penitents considered these acts to be mortification of the flesh, and undertake these to ask forgiveness for sins, to fulfil a panata (a Filipino vow), or to express gratitude for favours granted.

These customs are strongly discouraged by the Catholic Church in the Philippines, which considers them to be fanatical, superstitious expressions of Folk Catholicism and self-harm contrary to its teachings on the body.

The Department of Health meanwhile often insists that participants in the rites should have tetanus shots and that the nails used should be sterilized.

San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando

The San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites are a re-enactment of Christ’s Passion and crucifixion held in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga. It includes a passion play, culminating in the actual nailing of at least three penitents wooden crosses atop a makeshift Calvary.

Ruben Enaje – 53, has been crucified 28 times as of 2016. He began his yearly rite after surviving a fall from a three-story billboard in 1986. Other penitents crucified with Enaje on Good Friday 2013 were Angelito Mengillo; Arnold Meniego; Byron Gómez; Willy Salvador; Angelito Manansala; Jonny Manansala; Marben Unquico; Arnel Sanggalang; Victor Caparas; Rolando Ocampo; Orlando Valentin; Arnel Reyes; Rolando Baking; and four others.

Ramíl Lázaro – a dishwasher, wheeler, and pedicab driver, also got his share of stainless steel nails along with five penitents on Good Friday at San Pedro Cutud, on Good Friday, April 6, 2012. He is expected to the take the role of Christ, replacing Enaje.

Alex Laranang – 59, who claims to have been crucified every year since 2000.

Bobby Gómez – was crucified on Good Friday 2012.

Arturo Bating – 44 (last 2012) had four-inch nails driven through his palms for the first time in Good Friday of 2012.

Paombong, Bulacan

Crucifixions are also held in Barangay Kapitangan, Paombong, Bulacan which is a locally-known pilgrimage area and haven for faith healers.

Percy Valencia – 41, one of a handful of women who are also crucified annually. Nailed to the cross on 6 April 2012.

Rady Gonzales – of Barangay Sto. Rosario, stayed nailed on the wooden cross for about 10 minutes as the crowd sang the Lord's Prayer.

Buboy Dionisio – also of Barangay Sto. Rosario, nailed for the ninth consecutive year in 2012. He said he saw a vision of the Virgin Mary giving him three nails the first time he underwent crucifixion. He said that every year, he saw different visions which came before Holy Week.

JonJon Tanael – of Barangay Bulihan, Malolos City, on 6 April 2012.

Rolando Ocampo - 56, has been crucified every year since 1990 as a sign of his gratitude to God. He says God miraculously saved his wife from a difficult child birth in that year. Ocampo prepares for his crucifixion for days in advance. He spends time alone and engages in deep meditation before the day on which he will share in Christ's suffering.

John Safran (pseudonym John Michael) - a 33-year-old Australian from Melbourne who wore a long wig and a tin crown of thorns on 10 April 2009.

A 15-year-old boy and 18-year-old girl in 2008

Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City

Gilbert Bargayo – crucified for the 15th time in Carcar, Cebu, and for the 17th time in Barangay Duljo-Fatima, Cebu City in 2012. Six-inch nails pierced his palms and feet, and took 45 minutes to all be hammered in.

Angeles City

The Siete Palabras (Seven Last Words) play in Angeles City, Pampanga, depicts the sufferings of Christ from his sentencing by Pontius Pilate to his death. This takes the form of a colourful street play, with dozens of men carrying wooden crosses as heavy as 50 kg (110 pounds) and scores flagellating themselves in Barangay Lourdes Northwest, Angeles City, between 14:00 and 15:00 PST (GMT+8).

PHILIPPINES: Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan in Cebul Receives Halal Certification

THE Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan in Cebu has achieved Muslim-friendly status, the second hotel in the Philippines to attain the accolade after Manila Marriott Hotel first got it earlier in May.

Leading halal travel authority CrescentRating gave the resort a commendable rating of five – the highest score being seven – for catering to the needs of Muslim travellers property-wide.

“(The high score) means we are able to provide more than the basic services and facilities, including halal food, Qurans, Qiblas, prayer mats, a prayer time guide and facilities like a bidet and female attendants, among others,” explained the resort’s general manager Kristofer Quadros.

Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan already received halal certification for its kitchen last April. CrescentRating then assessed the resort facilities for compliance to the specific needs of Muslim travellers for the entire property. The resort’s staff are also trained to cater to the needs of Muslim travellers.

“We now see a number of Muslim-friendly setup requested by guests through our website. This is free-of-charge and can be requested in advance upon booking or can also be done upon check-in,” added Quadros.

“With this service, we are able to better prepare the rooms for our Muslim guests. And we are optimistic to see more of these as promotion efforts kick in.”

PHILIPPINES: Quest Hotel & Conference Center - Cebu

Vibrant and uncompromisingly modern with elegant space, Quest Hotel & Conference Center - Cebu could be the most stress-free choice for business and leisure travelers on the go.

Located within the heart of Cebu's district, the hotel provides a perfect setting for work and play.

As the hotel is accessible from shopping centers, tourist attractions and trendy night spots, guests will find the location ideal.

Quest Hotel boasts a total of 427 rooms that are furnished with aptly comfortable beds, mini-bar, LCD television with cable service, in-room Internet, among others. Some of the rooms also feature a delightful landscape view of Cebu City.

The hotel has four types of accommodation: deluxe rooms, premier deluxe, junior suite and executive suite, all guaranteed to be very spacious with modern interiors. There is also a pool area with a bar perfect for relaxation.

Featuring 10 state-of-the-art meeting rooms, Quest Hotel could be a haven for guests who either stay for business, conference and meeting, or simply as tourists and travelers.

PHILIPPINES: Tigerair Philippines Rebrands As Cebgo

Tigerair Philippines, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Cebu Pacific Air, Inc., was rebranded as Cebgo on Monday. The new logo of Cebgo uses Cebu Pacific's colours which is blue and green, to further reflect Cebgo's relationship with Cebu Pacific.

More than a year ago, Cebu Pacific spent over $15 million for acquiring Tigerair Philippines wholly. This includes Tigerair Singapore's 40% stake at Tigerair Philippines.

“The new Cebgo brand clearly identifies us as part of the CEB group, and streamlines our operations further. Cebgo will continue to leverage on CEB’s distribution channels and network, and work together to serve more guests,” Michael Ivan Shau, Cebgo President and Chief Executive Officer said.

Beginning this month, Cebgo will start acquiring Cebu Pacific's fun games on board their flights to over 16 destinations in the Philippines. According to the press release, Cebgo's cabin crew will now wear their new uniforms in the near future.

However, Cebgo's operations will remain at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 and its current code, 'DG'. It will also continue flying to its destinations domestic and international - Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legazpi, Manila, Roxas, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, and Hong Kong.

Cebgo carried 1.3 million domestic passengers in 2014, 34% higher compared to 970,000 passengers in 2013. Both Cebu Pacific and Tigerair Philippines flew 16.87 million passengers last year or 17.5% higher versus 14.35 million in 2013, Rappler stated.

According to the aviation think-thank, Centre for Aviation, Cebu Pacific's decision to acquire Cebgo, recently Tigerair, was successful as it turned Cebgo's profit into narrowing its financial losses. The airline has launched 10 new routes.

With the new name, it remains unclear if Cebgo will change its livery painted on its aircraft.

PHILIPPINES: Philippines’ Tourism Sector Bullish On 2015 Asean Integration

The Philippines’ tourism area is getting up to speed with its neighbors and is more hopeful on its prospects with the ASEAN incorporation moving into full swing by 2015, tourism authorities said on Friday.

“We are truly getting up to speed as far as institutionalization in the tourism business. We must be at standard with the abilities of our ASEAN neighbors,” said Cesar Cruz, president of the Philippine Tour Operators’ Association (Philtoa) which heads a three-day travel exchange article called the Philippine Travel Mart from Sept 5 to Sept. 7.

The Philippine Travel Mart, where explorers can discover travel and occasion bundles and aerial shuttle tickets on special, is commending its 25th celebration in the not so distant future.

The vision of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) joining which tries to make a solitary business and generation base through the free stream of products, administrations and subsidizes by 2015 is clear amid the travel deal held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Separated from the nation’s best and rising traveler ends of the line, a few goals in other ASEAN nations were likewise introduced to prospective explorers.

As a feature of the Philtoa’s backing for the ASEAN mix endeavors, it introduced explorers bundles it called “twinnings” where they can pick one of their most loved Philippine goals and pair this with an alternate end of the line in an alternate ASEAN nation.

“They can pick Boracay and Bali or Cebu and Singapore,” Cruz said in a meeting. This, he said, their gathering is doing in backing of the thought of the “borderless” travel.

Anyway Cruz sees a few issues once the ASEAN incorporation goes on full swing before the end of 2015.

“With our passage level abilities, the Filipinos will be falling behind our Asian neighbors since we have quite recently begun our K to 12 framework,” he said.

K to 12 project, which has added two years to the nation’s essential instruction cycle, was actualized in 2013 through a law marked by the President.

Be that as it may he said there are solutions for the tourism business. “We are starting short courses for tourism experts just to fill in the crevice,” he said.

Philtoa, an association of 352 visit administrators in the nation, additionally plans to set up a tourism institute in Makati that will offer short tourism courses.

Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez who went to the occasion on Friday said the tourism business is getting to be more hopeful, particularly with the ASEAN mix completely acknowledged by one year from now.

“The demeanor of the Filipinos towards tourism has changed totally. There is an ability to learn and perform better than we did before and that incorporates our capability to make up for lost time,” Jimenez said.

The tourism division has started to consider the focal points of incorporating in the showcasing its neighbors in the district.

“The world doesn’t simply go in only one particular spot. The individuals go to a locale, particularly on the off chance that they have originated from a far spot. What is useful for Philippine tourism is useful for ASEAN tourism,” he said.

“We will cross over any barrier. In the event that we need to grin more extensive, we will,” Jimenez said.

Prior, Jimenez affirmed that his specialty would be propelling a battle “Visit Philippines Year 2015″ to benefit from the accomplishments of the prior “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”

The tourism division in the Philippines has turned into a genuine business, developing into a Us$4.8 billion (S$6 billion) industry starting a year ago.

PHILIPPINES: Travellers Return To Philippines From China

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

CHINESE group tours and chartered flights are making a comeback to the Philippines after China ‘quietly lifted’ the travel advisory against the South-east Asian nation in May.

While China made no official announcement, it finally allowed the Philippine embassy to issue group visas to Chinese travellers eight months after it had issued the travel advisory in September 2014 over safety concerns.

Ramon De Veyra Jr, officer in charge, North Asia division, International Promotions Department of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), noted that from five chartered flights from China in April, there are now 20 chartered flights in operation and the number is still increasing.

From various points in China, these charters bring group tours to destinations including Kalibo, Legazpi City in Bicol and Laoag in Ilocos Norte.

De Veyra said that the TPB now hosts two to three fam trips monthly for the Chinese media and travel trade. TPB also plans to tap the luxury market, with consumer outreach plans already in the works.

With the travel advisory lifted, Cesar Cruz, president, Philippine Tour Operators Association, said that the Philippines “can now market and promote openly” in China.

He commented: "Chinese tourists can really compensate for the decreasing arrivals from certain countries including Russia and South Korea, the country’s biggest source markets, which for the first time posted decreases last year.

“They are a boost to Boracay, their main destination, and Cebu and hopefully, Manila,” he said, adding that the return of the Chinese tourists is likely to be felt more during the high season between December and February.