BiyahengPinas.com - Your Essential Philippine Travel Resource: December 2008

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Visayan Art Highlighted at 10th VIVA-ExCon

Visayan art shone during the 10th Visayan Islands Visual Artists Exhibition-Convention (VIVA-ExCon) held last November 27 – 29 in various areas in Cebu City,

Known as the longest-running biennial art event in the Philippines, the event brought together artists from all over the Visayas in order to showcase the unique and multicultural potential of the Visayans as well as to highlight their achievements in their respective fields of the visual arts, like painting, mixed media, sculpture, installation, collage, performance art, video art, and the like.

The three-day event was filled with exhibitions, seminars, workshops, art demonstration classes, and self-help programs that helped participants amateur artists to develop and progress as practitioners.

A Curator’s Forum and exhibit was held on November 27 at SM City Cebu. In the morning of November 28, participants attended the Art seminar held at the College of Architecture and Fine Arts Building of the University of San Carlos - Talamban campus and at the University of the Philippines Cebu College campus in Lahug. In the afternoon, delegates convened at Mountain View Park in Busay. There, the delegates came together to mount a collaborative installation art projects with the theme: "Sugbu sa Akong Panumduman" (Cebu in My Mind). These projects were exhibited together with a free concert in the evening.

During the last day of the event, three simultaneous art workshops about scrapology or creative scrap metal sculpture-making, advanced printmaking techniques, and digital photography were held at the Maribago Bluewater Resort in Mactan Island. The third and final exhibition was opened in the evening. Titled "Garbo sa Bisaya", the exhibition honored eight revered Visayan artists, whose contribution to Philippine Art is undoubted. The artists honored in the exhibition were Nelfa Querubin, Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi, Charlie Co, Nunelucio Alvarado, Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., Romulo Galicano, National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva, and Raul Isidro.

The 10th VIVA-ExCon is organized by Pusod Inc. and supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, SM City Cebu, University of the Philippines, University of San Carlos, Kukuk's Nest, Pow! Designs, San Miguel Corporation, City Government of Cebu, and Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Traditional and Alternative Medicine as Main Focus in Health Care Month Convention

With the country’s vast natural resources and rich history in alternative medicine, specialists in various fields of traditional and alternative health care discussed new developments in their respective field during the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC) 5th Annual Convention held last November 19 – 21, 2008 at the Pan Pacific Manila in Malate, Manila City.

Carrying the theme "Harmonizing Traditional, Alternative and Modern Medicine for Today's Health Care”, the event, which coincided with the celebration of the Traditional and Alternative Health Month, aims to provide new insights in herbal medicine practice, increase awareness and advocate the use of effective alternative and traditional medicines that are available in the market.

During the convention, medical experts and government officials shared new information on known areas of traditional and alternative health care. Some notable personalities include Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary for Sports and Wellness Tourism Cynthia L. Carrion who discussed on how the Philippines can become the new hub of wellness and medical care in Asia. Award-winning chef Felix Schoener shared his mouthwatering recipes for raw food diet. Radio broadcaster and health guru Ms. Cory Quirino talked about popular natural beauty regiments. De La Salle Health Sciences Institute - Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine chair Dr. Dante Simbulan, Jr. explained about preventive medication through Hatha Yoga. Philippine Center for Traditional and Asian Medicine chairman Dr. Tan Cho-Choing introduced the use of acupuncture for neurological disorder. University of the Philippines – Diliman Medical Anthropology Professor Dr. Michael L. Tan gave an overview on the anthroposophical concept of Filipino Traditional Healing. And Filipino healing priest Rev. Fr. Efren Borromeo of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity disclosed the principle of spiritual healing.

An exhibit of the latest traditional and medical products and methods of health care was opened last November 21, 2008. Present in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were former senator and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Juan M. Flavier, current DOH Sec. Francisco T. Duque III, DOH Usec. Jade F. del Mundo, Ms. Cory Quirino and PITAHC Director General Dr. Juvencio F. Ordoña.

Republic Act 8423, otherwise known as the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997 gave rise to the creation of the PITAHC, a government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) attached to the Department of Health. The institute was created to answer the present needs of the people on health care through the provision and delivery of traditional and alternative health care products, services and technologies that have been proven safe, effective and affordable.

Friday, December 26, 2008

DOT Aims at $6.6 B Japanese Wedding Market

The Department of Tourism DOT) has been working to take part in the estimated $6.6 billion Japanese wedding market.

The initial step to tap the Japanese wedding market began last September 18 – 21 when the Department participated in the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA) World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair 2008 held at the Conference Tower of Tokyo Big Sights in Tokyo, Japan.

Based on several published articles, reports from the Japan Tourism Board, Japanese couples who hold their weddings abroad spend an average of ¥1,474,400.00 or $15,930.00 for the entire package. Couples spend an average of ¥566,000 or $6,115.00 for air fare and accommodations and another ¥215,000 or $2,320.00 for their wedding outfits. These couples spend as much as ¥791,000 or $8,550.00 for the wedding details. Most Japanese couples prefer beach and island destinations, making the country a possible venue for their special day.

DOT Secretary Ace Durano has made Cebu as the wedding capital for Japanese couples. Aside from the Queen City of the South, other destinations in the Philippines which include Boracay, Bohol and Davao are being marketed by the Department as a wedding destination.

In response, Dir. Benito Bengzon Jr, head of DOT Team Japan, said, during his interview with the press, "Compared to other countries, the Philippines offers a complete array of quality wedding products and services at a reasonable cost. Our magnificent views and picturesque beaches also offer the perfect mood and setting for weddings.” He adds, “We are certain the Philippines is indeed an attractive and ideal wedding location for Japanese couples; our beach resorts all have the necessary services such as experienced wedding coordinators which effectively caters to the needs of the clients.”

BiyahengPinas.com thanks the following sources for this article:

Manila Bulletin. RP wants bigger slice of 6.6 billion Japan wedding market (Posted October 14, 2008) Retrieved December 8, 2008 from
http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/10/14/TOUR20081014137904.html

Philippine Daily Inquirer. RP to get bigger slice of $6.6 billion Japan wedding market (Published November 2, 2008)

Business World. Manila targets Japan’s $6.6-B wedding mart (Vol. XXII, No. 54) p. 6/S1
Posted at GMANews.tv at
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/126150/Manila-targets-Japans-66-B-wedding-mart

Friday, December 19, 2008

Winners Danced in Triumph at 12th National Championship

Ballroom dancers from all over the country danced their way to victory in the 12th DSCPI National Championship – Alaxan FR Cup held last November 8, 2008 at the PhilSports Multipurpose Arena in Pasig City.

Four hundred dancers joined this year’s National Dancesport Championship, organized by the Dancesport Council of the Philippines Inc. (DSCPI) Seven licensed adjudicators of the International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF) from Europe and Asia served as judges during the competition. In the end, Dancesport-Team Cebu City (DTCC) reigned supreme in the event as the group, lead by DTCC founder and director Edward Hayco, bagged nine gold, nine silver and eight bronze medals in different categories under the Latin and Standard dance sport disciplines.

As a sign of support to the event, President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo, through Proclamation 1639, declared November 3 – 10 as the National Dance Sport Week.

The 12th DSCPI National Dancesport Championship is sponsored by Alaxan FR, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Water Zone, Edsa Shangri-la Hotel, Savannah Moon, NU107, Studio 116 Dance School, and Manila Times.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Executives, Officials Ran at 25th Executive Classic

Businessmen, professionals, and government officials from all over the metro traded their suits and suede shoes for running shirts and rubber shoes and ran around the University of the Philippines (UP) – Diliman Campus for the 25^th Executive Classic held last December 7, 2008.

With the theme, “Human Energy for the Filipino Race”, the 25^th Executive Classic is dubbed as the oldest and only running event in the country for executives, businessmen, and professionals.

The objective of this year’s race is to promote physical fitness, energy conservation and environmental protection. Through running, participants become physically fit and, eventually, become less reliant on fossil fuels for mobility. This, in turn, harnesses human energy to beat the energy and environment crises.

The organizers, the Executive Runners Club of the Philippines (RUNNEX), chose UP Diliman as the site of the race because the venue has the best air quality in Metro Manila. According to RUNNEX, “They [participants] will enjoy running under the old acacia trees around the sprawling university campus and experience the December morning mist blanketing the campus greenery.”

Participants of the 5-kilometer race started at the UP Theater Oblation and ran along Magsaysay Ave. to Osmena Ave. from Guerero St., made a U-Turn at the intersection of University Ave., and Jacinto St., ran along Manuel Roxas Ave. passing through Regidor St. towards Quirino Ave, and finishing the race through E. Delos Santos St. Participants of the 10-kilometer race had to run the course twice. All finishers were given t-shirts, certificates, and freebies.

This event served as a tune-up race for the First Quezon City International Marathon slated on October 2009.

The 25th Executive Classic is in cooperation with Quezon City government and Tourism Council, Pharmaton, Adidas, BPI Foundation, and the UP College of Human Kinetics.

Friday, December 12, 2008

DOT Taps Youth Market via MTV

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has forged a partnership with MTV Networks to attract young travelers around the world to come and experience the Philippines.

MTV Networks’ new “hip contemporary” global campaign – MTV Revelations – set to be launched in February 2009, features 12 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, U.K. and U.S.A.

MTV Revelations will use a series of TV spots featuring MTV VJs who will talk about their personal experiences in these countries. In addition, a variety of web activities, which include MTV's Music Mixer and MTV Video Widgets, synergized with local relevance, will reflect the different style, culture and tone of each country.

The partnership was announced by DOT Secretary Ace Durano and Bill Roedy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MTV Networks International during the World Travel Market held last November 10 -14 at ExCel London.

According to Sec. Durano, as stated in his interview with the press, the partnership is a “strategic fit” because it will enable the Department to reach out to the youth who enjoys a higher disposable income as well as being the most avid travelers of today. "MTV know its demographic best. Its VJs and onscreen personalities, for instance, have the credibility to reach out to the same youth market we are targeting. “Mr. Durano adds.

On the other hand, Mr. Roedy said, “We are delighted that through the international reach of MTV, they can work with the DOT to promote the Philippines to such a targeted youth audience across so many countries."