Environmental Films Showcased at First Green Film Festival

Four (4) films touching on planet-related issues were featured at The 1^st Green Film Festival held at SM North EDSA on September 23, 2009. The movies shown at Cinema 4 of SM The Block were a combination of American and Filipino films aimed at creating awareness about the serious problems our planet Earth is currently facing and what can people do about it.

Spearheaded by the SM Cares' SM Environment Committee, in partnership with Unico Home Entertainment, Solar Entertainment Corporation (official United International Pictures distributor in the Philippines), Warner Bros. Pictures, Magnavision and SM Cinema, the Green Film Festival highlighted environmental issues, such as climate change, scarcity of water, environmental decay, and the need for people and nations to work together for a sustainable future.

Joining the SM Environment Committee for the Green Film Festival are the embassies of France, Japan and The Netherlands which contributed films shown during the event.

Some of the films shown during the festival were:

• The 11^th Hour, which was released in 2007 and narrated by Leonardo di Caprio. The movie presented visionary and practical solutions to restore the planet’s ecosystems;
• Home, a depiction of how the Earth's problems are all interlinked;
• Penguin, Penguin Paano Ka Ginawa is the Filipino version of the French documentary March of the Penguins, narrated by Sharon Cuneta. It followed the journey of a penguin to its breeding spot in Antarctica; and
• Abong (Small Home), which is a Filipino-Japanese art and cultural film about the Igorots of Mt. Province.

The movies Home and The 11th Hour were also shown at SM Megamall last September 30 along with Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, and British Broadcasting Corporation’s Planet Earth. Screenings were also held at SM Mall of Asia last October 7, 2009.

The 1^st Green Film Festival is a project of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. For more information, call (632) 292-0023 or (632) 294-4367.

First Shellfish Summit Aims at Increasing Fisher Folk’s Lives

The Asian Fisheries Academy (AFA) and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-BFAR-NFRDI), together with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research (DOST-PCAMRD) conducted the first ever National Shellfish Summit at Dagupan City in Pangasinan last Sept. 23–24.

According to PCAMRD director Cesario Pagdilao, this summit is particularly geared to gather information on available shellfish technologies, markets, culture and processing. Mr. Pagdilao also said that the summit is concentrated in the study of the molluscan species of the shellfish kingdom.

Meanwhile, Dr. Westly Rosario, interim executive director of the NFRDI, said that a five-year road map for the industry shall have been drawn after the two-day event. A resolution for the promotion of shellfish as a valuable resource was also included in the output of the conference.

The two-day event saw to several discussions and presentations regarding the local and international shellfish industry, as well as workshops based on specific lines of expertise including biology, ecology, and assessment; broodstock development and seed production; culture; and processing, marketing trade, and promotion.

More than 300 participant from all over the country participated in the event, representing various sectors of the agriculture and aquaculture communities.

For interested parties, please contact the PCAMRD Los Baños Secretariat at (049) 536-55 or the AFA/NFRDI at Bonuan Binlec, Dagupan at (075) 653-0305.

International Athletes Joined World Dance Sport Open

Dance sport athletes from 14 countries joined the 4th DancsSport sa Sugbu and 3rd Cebu IDSF (International DanceSport Federation World DanceSport Open Latin and Standard 2009 last September 26, 2009 at the Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

The dance athletes from here and abroad grooved to the Latin dances of cha-cha, samba, rumba, pasa doble, jive, and the standard dances of slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, and quickstep.

Foreigners from Russia, Germany, Bulgaria, Slovenia, the Untied Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, and China joined the event. The Philippines was well represented, with dancers from Metro Manila, Tacurong City, General Santos City, Dumaguete City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga City, Samar, and Leyte.

In the Latin discipline, Cebuana dancer Ms. Charlea Lagaras and her long time-partner Mr. Steve Vergara emerged the biggest winners as champions of the Adult-A Closed Asia and IDSF Open categories.

Another Cebauana, Ms. Dearlie Gerodias, and her partner Mr. John Errole Melencio finished second, while Ms. Joana Nina Marciano and Mr. Norwille Damasin won third place honors in the Adult-A Closed category. Bulgaria’s Ms. Ilieva Vanina and Mr. Petrov Genadi won second, while Ms. Gerodias and Mr. Melencio finished third for the IDSF Open.

In the Modern Standard IDSF Open category, Hong Kong representatives Ms. Faye Hung and Mr. Pietro del Bello claimed the gold, with Bulgarian dancers Ms. Stella Kukonova and Mr. German Tepavicharov taking home the silver. China’s Yuan Cheng Jun and Sun Na won the bronze for the said category.

In the Closed Asia category, Filipino dancers Ms. Maria Cristina Nguyen and Mr. Jaime Sarmiento won the gold. Brother-sister tandem Brian Joseph and Karla Stephanie Joy Ocana took home the silver, and real-life couple Ana and Joel Madera got the bronze.

The 4th DancsSport sa Sugbu and 3rd Cebu IDSF Open DanceSport Championship 2009 is sponsored by the Cebu City Government, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, M. Lhuiller Kwarta Padala, Department of Tourism, Philippine Sports Commission, Port Seafood Restaurant, Panasonic, Living Asia Channel, Wealth Channel.tv, Y101 FM, Business Mirror, Alegre Beach Resort and Spa, The French Baker, Shanghai Bay and the International Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Alcordo Advertising, Alpa City Suites, Large Form Graphics, Sun Star Daily, Cebu Daily News, and The Freeman.

For more information about the event, contact DanceSport Team Cebu at (032) 415-5844 or visit www.dancesportcebu.org

Tourism Students Gathered for LTSP National Convention

At least 450 students enrolled in tourism and hospitality management courses in various universities, colleges, and schools from around the country gathered for the 2nd League of Tourism Students of the Philippines (LTSP) National Convention held last September 26 – 28, 2009 at the Cebu Grand Convention Center in Cebu City.

Organized by the Tourism Educators and Movers Philippines (Team Philippines), the three-day event aims to update students with the latest trends in the global tourism industry, integrate to them the culture of tourism, and involve and empower the tourism academic sector towards development.

In her welcome remarks, Department of Tourism (DoT) 7 Director Dawnie Roa challenged the tourism students to strive for excellence despite the current global financial crisis once they get employment in the industry. Dir. Roa added, ''The tourism industry will continue to soar despite the crisis and negative stories churned out by the media. Don't be distracted, just do your best and prepare yourself as you embark on the tourism industry in the future,''

Topics discussed during the convention included Basic Exhibition Planning, ASEAN 2015 and Mutual Recognition of Tourism Professionals, Bidding for an International Event, and Organizing an Exhibition. Speakers during the convention were LTSP President Xander Xim Sigua, National Association for Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) Chairman Emeritus Robert Lim Joseph, Premiere Events Plus Group, Inc., President Mr. Joel Pascual, and several others, who shared their experiences with the students.

''There are things that can be learned in schools and there are things that can be learned based on experiences of industry movers,'' he stressed. ''The convention, hopefully, will give the students a glimpse of the industry in reality,” said Mr. Joseph.

The 2nd LTSP National Convention is supported by the Department of Tourism, Cebu Provincial Government, Philippine Tourism Authority, and Philippine Airlines.

For more information about the event, contact the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines, Inc. Secretary General at (632) 510-5129 or (63921) 686-8944. Visit their website at http://www.ltsp.org.ph/

“Ring of Fire” at Ayala Museum

The Ayala Museum featured sixteen Filipino potters and 10 other Southeast Asian ceramics artists on the exhibit of their wares in an international show called "Ring of Fire" last September 21 to October 4, 2009.

A two-day workshop was also part of the program for the interested participants of the exhibit. They exchanged information and discussed individual techniques and the creative process of their works at the Luna and Amorsolo Room of the Museum on the second and third day of the event.

Renowned potters participated in the event include Ahadiat Joedawinata of Indonesia; Peter Low, James Seet, Linleng Wong, and Yeow Seng Cheah of Malaysia; Tech Hen Tan and Thomas Cheong of Singapore; Bathma Kaew-Ngok of Thailand; and Bao Toan Nguyen of Vietnam.

Filipino potters, on the other hand, include Jon and wife Tessy Pettyjohn of Pansol; Hadrian and wife Camille Mendoza of Makiling; Jaime de Guzman of Candelaria, Quezon; Colorado-based Nelfa Querubin of Iloilo; Manila-based sculptress Julie Lluch of Iligan; Pete Cortes of Bulacan; Pablo Capati of Batangas; Joe Geraldo of Bacolod; Mank Valenzuela of Dumaguete; Winnie Go and Joey de Castro of Makati; Siegried Bangyay and Lope Bosaing of Sagada.

Sponsors of the show are Toyota Foundation, Ayala Museum, and Filipino Web Services.

Back-to-Back Food Expo at the WTC

The Asia Food Expo (AFEX) marked another sign of its commitment to enhance the standards of the food and beverage industry in the country. This year, AFEX 2009 was launched simultaneously with Food Serve Asia 2009 at the World Trade Center, last September 23 to September 26, 2009. 

Senator Francis Pangilinan officially opened the back-to-back expos which cater exhibits of technologies and business solutions that uplift the level of Filipino F&B entrepreneurs and food service professionals in the country.

Elmer C. Hernandez, Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary, noted that Asia Food Expo has remained an undisputed venue to showcase the Philippine competitiveness in the food sector as well as bring into the country the latest innovations and developments in the food packaging and processing sectors.

AFEX 2009 is the best source of new technology in food processing, packaging and handling machinery and other equipment, as showcased by superior exhibitors. The expo also features strong foreign participation from the US Department of Agriculture, Le Club French Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan Pavilion, Indonesian Embassy, and Austrian Embassy—representing a number of company suppliers from their respective countries.

FoodServe Asia 2009, on the other hand, is the international exposition for the food service industry. Visitors from the catering and food service industry who are looking to improve and upgrade their businesses can benefit from the wide range of new solutions and equipment launched in this event. Seminars and demonstrations are also held during the expo to further increase the food service knowledge of participants.

AFEX is organized by Trade Information Marketing and Exhibitions, Inc..

Team Philippines Dominated Asian Supercross round 3

Kenneth San Andres and JC Rellosa led the Team Philippines as they cracked against other international riders in the 2009 FIM Asian Supercross Championships held last September 26 to 27, 2009 at Speedworld Circuit, located in SM City Bicutan.

Representatives from Australia, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and Iran compete in 65cc level, 9 to 12 years old; 85cc Junior, 12 to 15 years old; and MX 2 Pro categories while other national divisions were also contested. Moreover, the trophies for top three places and cash prizes were awarded during the said event.

Calendar of Events for the 2009 FIM Asian Supercross Championships are as follows: March 1, 2009— Puerto Princesa, PHILIPPINES; July 19, 2009—Ulan Bator, MONGOLIA; August 10, 2009—INDONESIA; and November 15, 2009—Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

For more information, contact Namssa, organizer of the event, at (63917) 847-9785, email namssa01@hotmail.com, or log on to http://www.namssa.org.

Philippine Kayaking Series

4-in-1 Cavite to Corregidor kayaking
2nd leg of the 2009 Philippine Kayaking series September 19 and 20

Following the initial leg held off the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan last April, the second leg of the Philippine Kayaking Series 2009 was the 4-in-1 Cavite to Corregidor kayaking event held last September 19 - 20, 2009.

The event was called a 4-in-1 event because it highlighted the sports attraction and eco-tourism attraction of the province, aside from its rich historical heritage. It also featured a coastal clean-up on the second day.

For advanced class kayakers, it was a grueling 42K two-leg marathon as they crossed from Ternate and circumnavigated Corregidor. Meanwhile, novice kayakers, who were given a free kayaking clinic on the first day, had a shorter 5K race in the calmer waters off Caballo Island.

Registration fee for the kayak marathon was P1,150 for advanced kayakers; novice kayakers paid P1,450. The package for novice kayakers was inclusive of a ferry boat crossing, aside from the meals, entrance fees, souvenir shirt, use of kayaks, overnight stay in Corregidor, and certificates of completion.

Nineteen-year old twin brothers Alex and Alvin Generalo captured the 42Kmarathon with plenty to spare when they logged in 5 hours, 26 minutes, and 43 seconds at the white-sandy beach of Camaya Coast in Ternate Cavite.

Second place went to the pair of Richard Lukoda and Saldy de la Cruz which reached the shores with the time of 5:31:36; trailed closely by the duo of Norvel Cajes and Elizabeth Segovia with 5:32:56 in third place.

The 5K champs included a romantic American-mainland Chinese couple, Amy Liu and Chris Spohr, from the Asian Development Bank, who booked second place among the 19 couples that labored to finish the arm-pain-filled distance. The winners received several prizes from sponsors.

The event was presented by the province of Cavite, headed by Gov. Ayong Maliksi, and was backed by the Department of Tourism. Jointly organized by JCI-Ternate Mardicas, Sun and Sea Sports, and the Philippine Kayaking Association, its sponsors included Cebu Pacific; Sun Cruises; Camaya Coast; Caylabne Bay Resort; Universal Robina Corp. (URC); David’s Salon; San Miguel Beer; Mojos; Conquer Sports; Board Water Marine; Corregidor Foundation; Philippine Navy; Philippine Marines; Philippine Coast Guard; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.; Media Partners: Business Mirror and Inquirer.

The Philippine Kayaking Series, promoted by the Department of Tourism and organized by the Philippine Kayaking Association, aims to identify kayaking trails in the country. Aside from promoting kayaking as an adventure sport, the event also aims to establish sustainable eco-tourism programs in different provinces.

For inquiries or more information on Kayak Philippines and its events, call 4687091; 8725478; 0915-435-9321; email philkayaking@yahoo.com or visit http://www.kayakphilippines.com.

Book Lovers, Authors, and Publishers Celebrate 30th MIBF

Book lovers, authors, and publishers from all over the Philippines are invited to be part of the pearl anniversary of the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) scheduled on September 16 – 20, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center , Mall of Asia Complex, in Pasay City.

The 30^th MIBF carries the theme, “Proud to be 30: Words Without Borders”. MIBF is organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc., in partnership with Asian Catholic Communicators, Inc. (ACCI), Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc. (PBAI), and Publishers’ Representatives Organization of the Philippines (PROP).

This annual fair, which began in 1981, has grown to reach out to a wide range of audiences, spanning different generations, interests and socio-economic backgrounds to share and celebrate their love of books. And now, thirty years from when it started, the MIBF continues to promote books and reading by giving the bookselling and publishing industry a venue to promote new titles and authors, dialogue with readers, and discuss ways to improve the quality of books. In its 30-year run, the MIBF has been instrumental in showcasing books in all their forms, encouraging people to read and find their inspiration. Thus, the MIBF serves as a platform for traditional and new media, presenting books and other published works in all their permutations to an ever-growing audience. Yet its vision remains the same: to be a platform for books and other published works, and to promote reading and literacy.

Numerous activities have been lined up during the event such as storytelling sessions, writing workshops, seminars and talks about the issues and concerns of authors and publishers, and more. The 30^th MIBF will be highlighted with the exhibition of Tomas Pinpin's “Librong Pag-aaralan nang manga Tagalog nang Uicang Castilla”, the first book authored and printed by a Filipino. The exhibition is in preparation for the book's 400th Anniversary in 2010.

Also co-located during the event is the Edu.Shop, a trade fair featuring school materials, supplies, equipment, and facilities.

The 30^th Manila International Book Fair is sponsored by Albergus Catering, The Brain Computer Corp., Oishi, ARMVET Printing Company, Immovation Printshoppe, Inc., and the following media partners: The Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Veritas 846, 96.3 Easy Rock, A-Z Direct Marketing, Inc., Sambuhay (by Society of St. Paul), 99.5 RT , and NU 107.

For more information, call (632) 890-066, 896-0682, e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com or visit their website, www.manilabookfair.com/

Tattoo Artists Showed Love for Ink at Dutdutan 2009

Thousands of tattoo artists and enthusiasts from Malaysia, Saipan, Singapore, France, Indonesia and the Philippines displayed their love for ink at Dutdutan 2009: Philippine Tattoo Expo held last September 18 – 19, 2009 at the A Venue Hall in Makati City.

Presented by Tribal Gear and co-presented by Skinworkz Body Piercing and Tattoo Shop and Colt 45, the biggest and grandest tattoo event in Philippine history attracted scores of tattoo fans from here and abroad. Tribal Gear founder Bobby Ruiz and other members of the Tribal clique from San Diego, California, as well as P.O.D (Payable on Death) drummer Wuv Bernardo, and international street graffiti artist OG Able made the occasion even bigger and more significant.

A venue for the finest of skin arts, Dutdutan is the one event where acclaimed tattoo artists, enthusiasts, supporters, and even curious first-timers gather to marvel, get inked, compete, and experience skin artistry at its best. Dutdutan is also the one place and time when age and social status cross boundaries to take pleasure in a very personal and intimate brand of self expression.

Kamikazee, Pedicab, Urbandub, Valley of Chrome, Hilera, Sinosikat, Franco, Reklamo, Taken by Cars, Krazykyle, Dcoy and Wika Artist, Dice & K9, Hi-C, and other local bands entertained the crowd with their music. Tattoo artists were given a chance to show off their masterpieces through different category competitions.

Audience were treated to a taste of the inked lifestyle coupled with Five Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) exhibition fights. Ten mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters squared off and showed off their ground and pound game and knockout power. In the end, MMA fighters Reysaldo Biagtan, Reysaldo Biagtan, Michael Rubio, Angelo Estanol, and Angelo Estanol dominated their opponents in their respective fights.

Hundreds flocked to the venue to witness the event’s final night. Highlighting the night was the Bikini Contest which proved that beautiful bodies and tattoo go well together. Besting seven other beauties was 21-year old Ms. Nadine Reyes from Manila.

Dutdutan 2009: Philippine Tattoo Expo is sponsored by Philippine Tattoo Artists Guild, Inc. (PhilTAG), Kenny Rogers Roasters, Pepsi Max, Sun Cellular, Avatar Tattoo, and the following media partners: The Philippine Star, Jack TV, MYX, Magic 89.9, NU 107, Underground Radio UR 105.9, Playboy Philippines, Sidetrip Travel Magazine, and OTATS Magazine.

For more information about the event, contact Tribal Gear at (632) 772-2909, email dutdutan@corelifestyle.ph , or Skinworkz Body Piercing and Tattoo Shop at (632) 834-5001, email skinworxtat@yahoo.com or visit the event website at www.dutdutan.com.ph.

1st Jun Labo Invitational Cup

The National Oriental Federation Philippines (NOFP) showcased Jun Labo Invitational Cup: 1st NOFP University Challenge 2009 was held at the La Trinidad Municipal Gym in Baguio last September 19, 2009.

Organized by Events Professionals, the tournament is the first project of the tie-up between NOFP, the country's representative to the World Oriental Foundation (WOF), and the Jun Labo Sports Foundation (JLSF). The event aims to provide a new martial art sport program for the youth of Baguio City and other Cordillera provinces.

The event featured professional and amateur martial artists of selected schools and universities of Baguio and Trinidad who will compete in Mixed Martial Arts, Full-Contact American Kickboxing, Oriental Sport, and Boxing.

Benguet State University heads a stellar cast which includes St. Louis University, University of Baguio, La Trinidad National High School, Tublay School of Home Economics, and the Pines National High School-Dominican Mirador High School Annex.

Events covered include the full-contact American kickboxing (pro and amateur), MMA submission grappling (pro), and Oriental O-Sport (striking and Greco-Roman wrestling styles).

Bicol’s Food Expo 09

The biggest and the most comprehensive food show of Bicolandia was staged last September 15 to 17, 2009 at the Avenue Convention Plaza, Magsaysay Avenue Naga City with Interschool Competition, Culinary Shows and a lot more.

The Bicol Food and Beverage Expo (BIFBEX) 2009 opened with special guests Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, First Lady Atty Leni Robredo, Department of Tourism Regional Director Nini Ravanilla, and Union of Filipino Tourism Educators (UFTE) National President Marilissa J. Ampuan as they led the ceremonial cutting of ribbon. They were assisted by BIFBEX 2009 over-all coordinator Lawrence Tan and Avenue Plaza Hotel President Allan Cu.

The Tour of the Exhibits and the Opening Ceremonies was followed by a 3-day Inter-school Competition participated by various schools from Naga City and other provinces in Bicol. They competed on the following categories: Cake Decoration for Display, Table Setting for Six, Bartending & Flaring, Cocktail Mixing, Live Cooking Competition (Soup/Salad/Main Course), and Creative Dessert with Plate Presentation.

Special classes were also organized and attended by hundreds of students, teachers, and industry practitioners. Among the classes conducted were: “Organic and Gourmet Cooking” handled by Organic advocate Ping Federis and Chef Mar Nocon of Nestle; “Hospitality Management: Key Factors in the Global Arena” discussed by Mr. Dimayuga of Ecolab and VP Lawrence Tan of Avenue Plaza Hotel; “New Trends in Food & Beverage” (with Beverage Mixing seminar) tackled by Chef Mar Nocon of Nestle and Christopher Domingo of Equilibrium Intertrade; “Sweets and Desserts” handled by Chef Mar Nocon and Pastry Chef Dahkem SJ. Arzola; “Special Functions and Events” discussed by VP Lawrence Tan and Events Specialist Russell Simfuego of S Events; “International Standard in Housekeeping Management” discussed by Robert B. Dimayuga of Ecolab; and “Housekeeping Management for Cost Control & Customer Retention” by APH’s Housekeeping Department.

The event will not be a complete success without the joint effort of the Department of Tourism, City Government of Naga, and the Hotel, Restaurant, and Resort Association of Bicol (HRRAB).

The Philippine Historical Association Annual Conference: The Facets of Filipino Heroism

In line with the celebration of the National History Week (Sept. 15–19, 2009), the Philippine Historical Association (PHA), in cooperation with the National Historical Institute (NHI), held its annual conference at the National Museum last Sept. 18.

With its theme “Kabayanihang Pilipino: Ang Mukha ng Bayani sa Agos ng Kasaysayan” (Filipino Heroism: The Facet of a Hero in the Flow of History), the conference was geared toward the analysis of the ever-changing concepts of a hero and the provision of a venue for sharing different methods in teaching the lives of the heroes and imparting heroism in the classroom. Several other topics were also discussed in the conference, including “Mga Limot nang Bayani sa Kasaysayan” (History’s Forgotten Heroes), “The Filipino Soldier in History,” “Ang mga OFWs: Mga Bagong Bayani” (The OFWs: The Modern-Day Heroes), “Ang Kabayanihan ng mga Kababaihan” (The Heroism of Women), and “Pagtuturo ng Kabayanihan sa Silid-Aralan” (Teaching Heroism in the Classroom).

A tour to various historical spots in Cavite was scheduled on Sept. 19. Dubbed “Lakbay Aral sa Cavite,” the tour circuited a few of the most famous historical sites in the province such as the Battle of the Binakayan Shrine and the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, the Site of the Tejeros Convention in Rosario, Casa Hacienda de Naic, and the Bonifacio Trial House and Mt. Nagpatong in Maragondon. The province of Cavite is one of the richest places in Philippine History because of several significant events, among which is the declaration of Philippine Independence at the Aguinaldo Shrine.

The PHA is professional association of historians in the Philippines, founded on Sept. 18, 1955. It is affiliated with the National Commission for the Culture and Arts, the NHI, and the Philippine Social Science Council.

For more details regarding the conference and the Cavite tour, please visit http://pha1955.blogspot.com/2009/08/2009-annual-conference-of-philippine.html or email jobal_kasaysayan@yahoo.com.

Philippine Tourism Boosted at 20th Philippine Travel Mart

Spearheaded by Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), the biggest association of tour operators and allied members, the 20th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) was held last September 4-6, 2009 at the MegaTrade Hall of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

PTM, the premiere and biggest travel, tourism and trade show in the country, has the most extensive coverage of the tourism and travel industry in the Philippines. It has a solid track record of bringing in thousands of local corporate buyers and consumers in a single venue for travel and tourism. It has also carved a niche in the international market as a prime venue for foreign buyers as a must-see, must-be event held in collaboration with the Department of Tourism.

PHILTOA, the main proponent behind the PTM, is the biggest association of tour operators and agencies that promote exclusively domestic and inbound tourism. It has a nationwide membership and has been at the frontier of Domestic tourism promotion, partnering with DOT, and its regional offices.

With “Beyond the Usual… Experience IT Here” as conference/exhibition theme, the main highlight of this year’s PTM was the Grand Vacation Sale ng Bayan, where exhibitors and participants offered beyond the usual, attractive discounts and special offers to consumers during the 3-day event. Reservations for travel and tour, hotel, transport (sea and air) were available to be purchased at lower rates but should be availed of or completed on or before November 15, 2009.

BPI credit card holders were entitled to 12-month instalment term promos inclusive of 3 day-2 night packages, complete with airfare, land transfers, hotel accomodations plus beyond the usual activities.

Aside from individual buyers, programs were also available for small and medium businesses to big corporations. The Corporate Buyers Program offered options for trips, tours and adventures geared towards corporate outings or even as company incentives to its employees.

Eco-tourism is one of the main pillars of this year’s efforts of showcasing beyond the usual in Philippine tourism and encouraging consumers to experience the Philippines in unusual ways. For this year, PTM has partnered with ABS CBN Foundation for their Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig project in launching another new innovation in Philippine tourism –thru the Pasig river travel cruise. The intent is to promote the Pasig river cruise as a tourism vehicle that ends in Escolta, tying it in with a walking tour of Binondo, cuisines galore from street foods to fine dining and tiangge shopping.

Entrance to the PTM exhibit was Php 50.00, while for senior citizens and students it was only Php 40.00.

An exciting line-up of special crowd-drawing events were conducted to ensure patronage from the different provinces as well as the greater Manila area consumers. Among this year’s events were the traditional Bituin ng Kasuotang Filipino, the traditional Best Cultural Presentation, Tourism Quiz Bee, seminar for students and practitioners in the travel industry entitled Biyahe-info, one-on-one corporate business meeting between sellers and corporate buyers entitled BiyahExhange, and an Eco-Chorale Competition which had two divisions, High School level and College level. A thanksgiving mass was given on the last day of the exhibit, and also the awarding of winners was done on the same day. The theme for the 21st PTM was also unveiled before the last day of the event ended.

The 20th PTM was sponsored by the Department of Tourism, Philippine Tourism Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippine Airlines, PAGCOR, CLARK Freeport, Primer Group of Companies, Chase Technologies Corporation, Jeepney Tours, BPI Express Credit, Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig, ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN Foundation, Manila Bulletin, ANC, Expat Travel & Lifestyle Magazine, Travel Update Philippines, The Foreign Post, Travel Plus, Travelife, Good News Pilipinas!, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Homestyle Magazine, and Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

For more information on Philippine Travel Mart, contact the Philippine Tour Operators Association at info@philtoa.org, secgen@philtoa.org or visit the event website at http://www.philtravelmart.com.

Tourism Educators Stage National Tourism Students Congress

The Union of Filipino Tourism Educators (UFTE) (formerly TESCU) held their Fourth National Tourism Students Congress last Aug. 29 at the De La Salle University Dasmariñas.

Aiming to increase the students’ awareness of their roles in the industry, the congress organizers selected three important topics to be discussed by distinguished guests. Keynote speaker Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan headed an in-depth discussion about tourism opportunities amidst global crisis.

Also gracing the event are Ms. Mae Castellano of Avon Cosmetics and Ms. Ivy de Borja, HR Manager of the Travellers International Hotel Group, with talks about image enhancement for better presentation and career opportunities in tourism and hospitality.

The highlight of the congress is the Tourism Skills Olympics, where the UFTE Cup was awarded to the school that edged out all other participants. Several contests were prepared to test the students’ tourism and hospitality management prowess, including tour guiding and tour packaging competitions, a tourism quiz bee, cultural dance presentations, and a poster/slogan making contest.

An estimated 1,000 students from tourism and HRM schools all over the country attended the event.

For inquiries and more information on the event, please contact Ms. Gracella Rebuena of the De La Salle University Dasmariñas Tourism Department at (02) 844 7832 loc. 3090.