Its Domestic Tourism....

The whole time, i was amazed at the huge number of people. And i kept telling to myself that its the domestic market that shapes the tourism industry in the ENTIRE country. The foreign travellers are captured in only select destinations. Want me to prove it? Nope, I'm not the one who will prove it. Just look at the figures released by the Department of Tourism - the foreign markets contributed about php200Billion in a year (not sure if it was 2011 or 2012). While the domestic travellers spent a whooping php990+Billion on the same year!

Reviving, Reliving Harana in Tourism

I just read a heartwarming article on a short film on Harana and I suddenly remember an idea i shelved a long time ago.

You see, people make it a point to know and pleasantly discover the culture of the places they visit. And it would be a great shame if we, as the hosts of the destination, hide it from them. Its even a tragedy if we completely forgot about our culture. At the rate we're going, shame + tragedy would not even equate to complete loss divided by ignorance and non-interest.

So, how about this for my friends in the resort industry? Why don't you develop an authentic Filipino culture that will definitely soothe the spirits and create a more compleat experience for your guests. You guessed it right - why not introduce HARANA in your property?

Oh, yes... You will then ask me - omg/wtf/rofl how how the carabao?

Here's my idea -

1. Find out if one of the guests is a lady (no matter what age)
2. Give the guest/s a slip of paper with the note - "if you want to experience an authentic Filipino culture of being serenaded, please turn on the light by the cottage window and you will be visited by our dashing singers by ___ p.m. Of course, you can make a better statement or just do away with the note-note thing. But taking away the note also takes away a bit of the romance, isn't it?
3. Then the nocturnal wonderment happens. Your guests will probably become happy (and hopefully not annoyed).
4. Give them a piece of the lyrics with the translation and some explanation of harana to complete the loop.

When you decided to do this, get back to me if its a success and just give a GC for the free idea. LOL!

Here's the link to the article - http://globalnation.inquirer.net/70619/award-winning-harana-wows-sf-bay-area-viewers-2

Travel is Poetry in Motion

This was taken in  Calatagan, Batangas. 

I once saw a travel photo that was so compelling that it made me realize that, yeah... if you have the right perspective and mood, travel can indeed be some sort of poetry. No moment nor scenery is wasted. Not even the most boring bus ride. You may be in the middle of a very clear , intense, or even blurred experience... and you bring back home something that you cannot describe by any word except.... you know what I mean.

So i dug into my hard disks and tried to find ones that I could use. But none came close to that photo that inspired me to do this blog post. I guess these ones would have to live up to my standards.

Just take a look (and comment :D) at the photos and decide which one is okay for you. Maybe even grab this and post on you wall! Or better yet, dig your own hard disks and look for your photos that made you, well... poetic.

I thank my oldest clone, Ibarra for putting those impressive texts in the photos (I kept saying, ohhhh.... wow...)

We went to a sandbar in Bohol when we were doing a book on kayaking in the Philippines and encountered these happy kids

On a river cruise in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, I prayed that the girl would stop as she walked on a rice paddy,  and I had maybe one or two seconds to make the shot.

I have fun looking for elements that don't match. This one is in Danao Lake in Taytay, Palawan

Tourism Lecture Walks

I'm bringing my tourism advocacy to another level!

Called Tourism Lecture Walk, the activity is designed to enhance the knowledge and appreciation of tourism students in the Philippines.

You see, the tourism course in the country is experiencing exciting and at the same time a bit worrying growth. Tourism as a college degree has become a preferred path for many. The number of teachers could hardly cope up with the demand.

I figured that given what I know about a good number of destinations in the country, I could help enhance their learning by bringing out their classroom to the largest map of the Philippines - in Rizal Park. I've done some test groups and the feedback has been very encouraging!

The Rizal Park module will be for Domestic Tourism.

Im still thinking the best place for a lecture walk for Ecotourism. Possible candidates are the pocket gardens of Rizal Park, the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City, or the La Mesa Ecopark. I guess this module will have to wait a bit.

Here are the details of tourism lecture walk for Domestic Tourism:

1. Designed for - tourism students; those with other courses and non-students can also attend
2. Rate - Php300 for students; Php500 for non-students
3. Minimum - 10 people; Maximum - around 40 people (roughly 1 class size)
4. Duration - 2 hours
5. Schedule - per appointment; Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
6. Time - Choice of 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. or 3:00 - 5:00 PM
7. Meeting Place - DOT (Department of Tourism) steps, in front of Agrifina Circle (the giant statue of Lapu-lapu), Rizal Park, Manila

How to contact me - Text - +639274104151 or email me - pinoytourist@gmail.com

Mangrove Planting

Went back to my photos for the mangrove planting ecotourism activity in Calatagan, Batangas. It was actually a project under Conservation International - Philippines and was designed to achieve several things - promote Calatagan as an ecotourism destination, involve a local people's organization, and showcase that an activity like this can become a major tourism offering.

You may wonder why the participants are scattered like there is no order in planting the mangroves. The activity was more of a replacement for the mangrove seedlings that died due to debris and seaweed smothering. What usually happens is that seaweeds and debris (plastic!) would cling on the fragile seedling which eventually break and kill it. Its not really that easy to help the environment!

Also did some photoshop experiments.

Majestic Eagle in the City

Meet Girlie. A Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) that is being kept in the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City. Inspite of almost 30 years of efforts to study and save this endemic and majestic raptor. Not much is known about their true condition in the wild. Scientists estimate that probably less than 300 remain in the wild. With the continuing destruction of the few remaining forests that serve as the eagle's refuge, its future remains depressing.

There's Girlie in the park. Try to give her a visit, and maybe say sorry to her for what we have been doing to her kind and to her home. And if you're up to it, try to see that obvious link -- that her home also serves as our home. That we're on the same boat!

Here's also a video I made about 3 years ago.

Si Malakas at si Maganda - How about a 20-storey monument?

In an event some weeks ago, Chairman Felipe de Leon of NCCA (National Commission on Culture & the Arts) posted a challenge to come up with an idea of a monument that is truly and uniquely Filipino. I told him - how about a 20-storey monument of Malakas at Maganda? Ohhhh.... he liked the idea! What do you think?!

It makes perfect sense for this kind of project. No other country in this whole world can have a similar thing like this. Plus, the concept of Malakas and Maganda shows how the Filipinos value equality between men and women, that they were created equal.

Prof. De Leon also said that the Malakas and Maganda names were Spanish influenced and that their original names were Si Ka Lak and Si Ka Bay. Si Ka is not their name, its a reference (like Si Ka Tiago).

If actually done, this can become a major landmark and a tourist destination. Definitely worth considering to remind us who we are and show to the whole world our unique cultural heritage.

Pinatubo Buried Houses - creating a major tourism product

Here's another unsolicited advice. This time for the province of Pampanga.

Mt. Pinatubo erupted about 20 years ago.

It is one of the very few volcanoes that almost the whole world knows.

And what (MAJOR!) tourism products can be developed out of that unfortunate catastrophy? Of course, there's the crater and the trek, plus the 4x4 adventure drive.

But what I think has been neglected or never thought of (inspite of the in-your-face opportunity) as a major tourism product are the buried houses (uhm... can I put some exclamation points?).

You see, the buried houses have great stories to tell to all the visitors. It can make the volcanic event and the lahar floods seem more personal to the tourists.

I hope there are Kapampangans reading this who have the powers and resources to make this product into a reality.

1. Find a buried house (or a village! - which is much better)

2. Dig out the dirt (or only part of the dirt) which will allow visitors to go down and enter the house. They will see up close how high the lahar was.

3. Im very sure that if properly implemented and coupled with good guiding or interpretation, this can add to the Philippine tourism map!

Anybody out there interested to take on the challenge?

The Viral Moriones (Marketing Marinduque)

Here's an unsolicited advice for the province of Marinduque.

Marketing a destination has always been a challenge and perceived to be very expensive (well, in most cases, marketing could really cost gazillions!). So here's a marketing strategy that would cost maybe 500k to pull through. That amount would go to the transport, meals and accommodation of the guys who will be involved.

You see, Marinduque has something very unique that no other province in the Philippines can claim to also have - the Moriones.

Branding-wise, its almost automatic: Marinduque = Moriones..... Moriones = Marinduque.... Much like the equation Tarsier = Bohol, except that there are also tarsiers in the islands of Samar, Leyte and Mindanao, only Bohol was quick and savvy enough to use the tarsier as its tourism ambassador.


So the idea is to go into viral marketing. Bring a bunch of Moriones to Manila (or even Cebu) and make them walk and pose in crowded areas and landmarks.


Yes, people will notice them! Take photos and videos of them and post them in their blogs, facebook walls and even google+ boards. Did I mention Youtube already?

Some might say that it would be no-different from the Ati-atihan. Yes, in a fraction of a way..... But AA has already been ubiquitous in all the cities and towns of the Philippines. While the Moriones still has that sense of mystery and definite uniqueness that will surely make people stop on their tracks and gawk on the colorful, intimidating strangers.

People don't have to go to Marinduque to see a real, live Morion. They can see them in the city, then many would be more curious to know more about the province, and still, a good number may decide to visit that destination. And that, is one guerilla-type strategy of destination marketing.


And to make things really more interesting, invite a Filipino band to join in the fun and eventually create a music video with the Moriones in the city.



And yes, invite bloggers and writers to also join in the walks of the Moriones, see the reactions of the people and get caught up in the virus of the Moriones sowing interest in the people who catch a glimpse of them.

Birds, Birdwatching and Ecotourism

It is becoming almost unthinkable that you would encounter a wild animal up close in the Philippines. They either get shot for food or collected as trophies or dispensable pets.

A sea eagle that was soaring less than 30 feet from me should remind me how lucky I was to experience the moment. For I don't know if I would get another chance in my lifetime.

You see, birdwatching should be a major ecotourism activity in the Philippines. We have more than 600 different species flying in our territory. And about 200 of them are found nowhere else in the world. Some are so rare that they live only on small islands and forests.

But we hardly value our wildlife. Not for ecotourism, nor the more abstract thing called biodiversity conservation. Their babies get collected, smuggled and sold as pets. Only 5% of the illegally traded birds usually survive. The rest die along the trade trail. We burn their habitats or cut down their nesting trees. We pour concrete on even the last remaining territories of birds. Just look at the plan of the government to destroy the bird sanctuary in Manila Bay (Las Pinas and Paranaque area) to give way for more reclamation.

I have to admit, that on a national scale, ecotourism is a lame excuse to save the remaining bird species in the Philippines or even for the people or the government to earn revenues for them. The money to be earned from birdwatching may not be enough to cover the profits of cutting down the trees, selling the baby birds, or building skyscrapers on their habitats.

But there are success stories of former hunters finally becoming advocates of conservation, of children convincing their parents to love the environment, of communities coming to terms that in order to survive, they have to live to the terms of their environments.

How I wish that a hundred, nay a thousand or even a hundred thousand Filipinos would declare that they have seen wildlife up close..... And yes, even personal.

Travel Itineraries Philippines

We created another travel information tool!

It is an iPhone Application with the name - Travel Itineraries Philippines. This helps you find out how you can visit various destinations in the country. Definitely a good tool for travel planning!

Trivia and travel tips should also make you appreciate you've downloaded this FREE app.

Here's the link to the iTunes Store - http://itunes.apple.com/ph/app/travel-itineraries-philippines/id427142743?mt=8

In the App Store in your device, just search for: Travel Itineraries Philippines.

You don't have an Apple mobile device? You can see the online content in this link - http://appkit.2rmobile.com/app_profiles/10

Yey! Another one for Philippine tourism! :D

Rainforest Park

Let's clear this out first. This is not in the Philippines. This Rainforest Park is located in Sandakan in the island of Borneo, Malaysia.

This place is something that should inspire the Philippines in developing and effectively managing a natural area both for conservation and recreation. It does not take huge development and introduction of artificial landscaping to optimize its tourism value. All it takes is to maintain its real natural features (which eventually also equates to socio-economic value). Appropriately zone the built-up area and tourist movement (trails, hanging bridges, birding towers), and make sure that any activity that goes against the tenets of conservation are not even considered in a special place like this.

Come to think of it.... See the tall tree in the middle? For a logger, that could be worth Php90,000 ($2,000). For a slash and burn farmer, a good source of fertilizer, and for a charcoal maker, maybe about Php2,000 ($45).... all at one and only time. But for tourism, its value goes beyond a single harvest and can have both recreation and environmental (remember the oxygen lessons in your elementary school days?) worth that could last as long as the tree lives through its natural age.

There really should come a time when we consider nature NOT as something to be conveniently harvested or abused, but a valuable resource to be nurtured (and the reality is - for our own sake).

The Philippines also has some great examples we can showcase. But just wait till I get good photos before I talk about them :D

So, You Want to be an Ecoguide?

So, you want to be a good nature guide? Then always keep your eyes open for the tiniest bit that nature can show you. Have a good pair of binoculars, a magnifying glass, and sharp eyes to pinpoint interesting things you see on the trail. Like these tiny snails that create art on the mud. If you're up to it, you can tell stories about snails that will last through one hour. Read. Read on things. Absorb and understand them to effectively share them. Goodluck to PEGA (Philippine Eco Guides Association) members!

Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)

One of the things I actively advocate for tourism in the Philippines is that if we want to develop compelling and world class products, we have to look at what we are. We don't have to copy what other countries have done. People don't travel to other places to see the same, but much better stuff they can find in other places. One of the major reasons why they travel is that they look for the unique offerings of the destination.

One of the truly Filipino treasures that can also become a major tourism product is the Filipino Martial Arts, or FMA. Call is Kali, Dumog, Arnis, or Escrima, these age-old practices have helped defined who the Filipino is. The Spaniard masters tried to kill the tradition, but it persisted as "secret" movements in the form of folk dances. Try to read up on the subject and you will be amazed at this treasure of ours.

It is sadly becoming unknown to many Filipinos now, but the FMA has been getting a good number of foreign practitioners and adherents. Heck, its also been used in a good number of Hollywood movies (hmmmm.... do Jason Bourne and The Book of Eli sound familiar?)

If the tourism industry would consider using the FMA as a tourism product many things can be achieved: major products can be offered in urban areas (like Manila?) that sorely lack quality tourist attractions; it could help preserve the culture; and it can help the country gain more respect from other peoples who will realize that we have something worthy we can share to the whole world. Need I add that we can also gain more respect for ourselves?

I've had some conversation from an official at the Department of Tourism and that somebody has become interested in the concept. I'm hoping, praying and crossing my fingers that an FMA Training and Exhibition Center will be established in Metro Manila or Cebu City. Or how about a Dumog Training and Exhibition Center in Ilo-ilo? Or a Kali Training and Exhibition Center in Bacolod City. Well, its easy to dream on. I hope somebody in authority or who has the money to bankroll will read this and realize that there is an investment worthwhile not only for revenue, but also for national culture and pride of the Filipino people.

In doing the research on the FMA, I dug up some of these videos that show how many people worldwide have come to respect, practice and spread the Filipino Martial Arts.







There are a lot more videos out there showcasing Filipino masters. Just keep on clicking on the related videos! :D

Pasig River - A Gem Covered with Muck

Two days from now (Oct 10) ABS-CBN Foundation will attempt to make a world record on running, the primary purpose of which is to bring awareness to the plight of Pasig River.

Its actually not that difficult to clean up the river..... yes... Money is always there (it just gets diverted elsewhere), there are enough people who can help. Its really about the national leadership and mayors of Metro Manila willing to step up to clean up the river. They've done it in so many other countries, there's no stupid reason why we cannot do it here.

Although tourism will benefit from a clean Pasig River, at the end of the day, it is really not about that industry. Its about the people living in a cleaner and more pleasant environment. A cleaner environment that attracts more investment and growth, a cleaner environment that improves the quality of life of the population, and yes, a cleaner environment that will define who the Filipino really is.

This is quite difficult to believe - despite its present condition, Pasig River holds some charm for those willing to discover it. I've got some level of confidence that I actually included the Pasig River as a tourist attraction in Manila through our travel website and iPhone app -

http://mytravelphilippines.com/pois/102878-Pasig-River.

If you don't believe me, lets set a date to discover the hidden beauty of Pasig River :D

Something Refreshing

Nope, this is not about watermelon shake, halo-halo or ice-cold beer. Its a simple note posted in the municipal hall of Tudela in Camotes Islands in Cebu. It made me believe that there should be many good things in store for the Philippines, tourism or otherwise. :D

My Travel eBook

Just uploaded my very first eBook on travel itineraries in the Philippines!!

Its a no-nonsense book on travel to different places in the country.

My good friend, Robert Alejandro designed the cover.

You can see (and buy!! :D) the book from this site - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/19665

In a few weeks, I'm hoping that it gets distributed to other sites such as Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Apple's iBooks.

Yay for Philippine tourism!!

The Beauty of Travel

In trying to develop a book on the values of travel. I came up with some sort of a list which tries to illustrate the value of travel. At the end of the list, we can actually say that travel is all about living a life.

*****

Concrete walls or green leaves

Computer or pinacolada

Home movie or cultural show

Metacarphal syndrome or adrenalin rush

Money in the bank or passport in the pocket

Memory of numbers, networks, and strategies or happy memories

24 x 7 or 7 – 2

Screensaver or looking at the big polar bears

Aircondition or aircontinuous

MP3 or the hum of cicadas looking for their mates

Reruns or watching dolphins jump or hear the humpback whales singing

Pathetically watching your children glued to TV or looking at them playing in the sand

Losing your kids to their gangs on week-ends or keeping them company during those weekends

A pallor of pale skin or a nice tan

Growing old working or growing old having fun

Powder on your face or sweat on your breast

Lipstick on your lips or coconut juice running down your throat

Dry mouth or camel spit

Breathing smog or touching clouds

Over worked or over joyed

Canned tuna or sashimi

Microwaved pizza or the fresh one prepared in a Madrid restaurant

Popcorn or jumping beans

Breakable toys or unforgettable memory

Four walled environment or vast moving space

Citizen of your community or citizen of the world

My Travel Philippines

I am so happy to announce that together with my developer partner, Rupert de Guzman, we have created a new travel website with the following features:

• With the most comprehensive database on Philippine Attractions and accommodation facilities

• You can add records and photos

• Directly linked with facebook and you can use your facebook account to log-in (which is a good protection because your username and password will still be lodged with facebook (not on our website or server)

• You can use the site as your online travel reference as regards the tourist attractions and facilities in the Philippines (we have one of the best search engines – test it out!)

• If you’re the traveler, you can make comments on the records and let other travelers be better informed

• Everything will be available for free to iphone, ipod touch and ipad users!! Better make all your iphone loving friends know about this great news!

Here's the link: http://www.mytravelphilippines.com/front2

Let me know what you think or how we can improve the stuff.

Fast Sketching by Robert Alejandro

My good friend, Robert Alejandro and I were given the opportunity to help promote birdwatching in the Philippines at the Taipei International Bird Fair last November 7-8. It was a great event to showcase the Philippines as a birding destination and gain really nice Taiwanese friends!

Robert did great sketches of birds from the names of Taiwanese visitors to the Philippine booth. He was such a hit!

Here's a timelapse video of him working on the sketches. It usually took him one minute to complete a sketch.