RIZAL@150: Travel the Philippines in Jose Rizal's Footsteps

Heritage and Culture with Local Tourism. That's the main thrust of the Department of Tourism's latest project, the Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150. In celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, on June 19, the DOT, together with the National Parks Development Committee, Intramuros Administration, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Heritage Conservation Society and Cebu Pacific, launched this heritage trail project, and the heritage trail map at the Rizal Park Manila.



Starting June 19, 2011 to June 19, 2012, everyone (locals and foreigners) can try and visit all 27 Rizal sites all over the Philippines, and get a chance to win prizes from Cebu Pacific and the Inter-Agency Committee, when they get to complete all the stamps in their Lakbay Rizal Passports, which are available at the DOT and the DOT Regional offices (soon). Mechanics for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 Heritage Trail Project may be found here.




The National Parks Development Committee redesigned and converted the old Philippines Relief Map in Rizal Park to be the new Rizal Heritage Trail Map, a guide and a glimpse of all the 27 Rizal sites from all over the Philippines, for those who don't have the means to travel all around the country.



Last week members of the Media, and some bloggers, got to experience going to different Rizal sites in Metro Manila (like the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, Fort Santiago, where he was jailed, and Paco Park, where his remains were brought right after his death), and had their Lakbay Passports stamped. We also got to taste some of Rizal's favorite food, like Adobo and Tinola. :)



I think that it is important that we Filipinos get to explore and appreciate the beauty of our country first before heading out to explore the world. As I always say, every Filipino must be an ambassador of and for the Philippines. Who else would we depend on but ourselves. We live in a naturally beautiful land, now it's up for its naturally beautiful people to live its beauty. "Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan."

Win An All Expense Paid Trip To The X-Men: First Class Stunt School In New York With Hotmail

Philippines, get ready for THIS!



Hotmail, and 20th Century Fox, is giving you an experience money can't buy - a tour of the X-MEN: FIRST CLASS STUNT SCHOOL in New York from June 17 to 21 2011, which includes return economy airfare, 4D3N hotel accommodation. Plus a chance to catch the action first with 2 tickets to your local X-MEN: FIRST CLASS movie premiere. An X-MEN: FIRST CLASS movie hamper will also be given to each of the 9 finalists.

One winner from the Philippines will get to experience this genuine once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up-close and see how professionals perform those breathtaking stunts we just see on the big screen.

You will get to spend time with official X-MEN: FIRST CLASS stunt coordinators learning all the tricks of the trade - including how scenes are choreographed, and how realistic fight scenes in the movie are acted out. You will also see how you mutate into Wolverine and fly around a New York film studio, and get the chance to recreate stunt scenes from the movie using Wirework.

Simply tell us why you should win, then complete an X-MEN: FIRST CLASS Office Web App task of your choice, before the contest ends on May 31, 2011.

MECHANICS: All you need to do to take part is go to www.iwanthotmail.com/x-men and follow these 3 easy steps!

STEP 1: Register with your Windows Live ID and contact details, and tell us why you should win.
STEP 2: Select your Office Web App task (Word/ Excel/ Powerpoint) which will be emailed to your Windows Live email account.
STEP 3: Final step! Complete your task and email it back to the sender.

Check out the Office Web Apps here. The Office Web Apps is the newest Web version of Microsoft Office, the most popular productivity suite designed to increase users’ productivity by allowing them to work from virtually anywhere, and a lot more.

Yummy Finds at YUMMY Eats

Celebrating Filipinos' love for good, yummy food, YUMMY magazine held its first-ever cooking, eating, and food fair entitled YUMMY Eats yesterday, May 21, 2011 at the NBC Tent, The Fort. The event, a brainchild of YUMMY's associate publisher, and fellow food-blogger, FrannyWanny - Fran Ang, featured 31 specially handpicked food brands under one roof.

"For one whole day, our readers got the chance to treat their taste buds with a mix of delicious items - from savory to sweet, from coffees and teas, to a lot of ice cream!" she explained.



One of the highlights was the Hunt's Culinary Cook-off, which involved students from different schools to display their culinary wits and techniques in a one-hour battle to the top. I saw an old schoolmate who's now Hunt's endorser, Luch Zanirato.



YUMMY FINDS AT YUMMY EATS:
Out of the 31 concessionaires, excluding my old time favorites: Big Daddy's Chicken, Pipino by Pino Resto Bar, and Starbucks, here are my top yummy finds from YUMMY Eats:



SIMPLY PIE | Their pies are probably one of the YUMMY-est (yummiest) if not on the top of the YUMMY FINDS in YUMMY EATS yesterday. Gail Ang, the brains, cook, and baker extraordinaire behind Simply Pie, shares their bestselling mini-quiches: Spinach, Feta and Sundried Tomatoes; Bacon and Gruyere; and Mushroom and Sourcream. | Gail Ang, 0922-8822194, 341-2238, 9-C Victoria Ave., New Manila, Quezon City (at the back of Mt. Carmel Church)


MOCHIKO | A popular mochi ice cream made from sticky rice balls with ice cream inside. The owners use premium quality FIC ice cream and make them in their shop in Tagaytay. | Nowee Ponteciano, 0999-8840624



Other notable food finds are:



1. Fruits in Ice Cream (FIC) - Try their newest Lemon Crumble Yogurt Ice Cream | Jose Ma. Celdran, 0999-8840624
2. Amaya's Frozen Caramel - Rich, creamy, sweet and silky frozen leche flan ice cream! | Cathy Garcia, 0928-5519734
3. Carmela's Best Ice Cream - Salty Caramel Ice Cream, the best! | Paco Magsaysay, 0917-8154406
4. The Honest Juice - Try their JUICE A, made of apple, wheat grass, kiwi and lime | Janyn Chua, 0920-9623892
5. Jaq's Kitchen - Try their alcohol-infused pasta sauces. Watch out for their Milkfish Tequilla sauce! ;) | Jennie Orros, 0917-5296918
6. Pinoy Eats World - Celebrate Food, Culture and Art in their guerilla dinners, food tours and theme dinners. | Namee Jorolan, 0917-8968698
7. General's Lechon - Succulent Negros-syle roast pig which is really flavorful, you don't need sauce anymore | Bryan Ong, 0917-8989303

Cute little Minions and Angry Birds characters by Little Miss OC Kitchen | Anna Sarmiento, 0920-9512343



Photo with YUMMY magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Ms. Becky Kho :)

Shoe Size 13: Boxfresh Keel Combo

It is sad when all you want is to buy a pair of good shoes for yourself, and yet, almost anywhere you look, they all just have size 11 or 12 as their largest. That is the common scenario when I ask every shoe store what their largest shoe size is. It's really depressing not to have a size that fits you in the Philippines. I tend not to ask at all anymore.

Imagine how happy I was when I finally found this pair that fits me at Res Toe Run. A Boxfresh Keel Combo Black/Blue U.S. Size 13. :) Boxfresh is a British fashion label founded in 1989 by Roger Wade. They are the British streetwear originators.

You know, my shoe-shopping story is like Cinderella; but in this case, it's me trying to find the shoes that will fit me. Yes, I foot is a size 13. So my shoes tend to be size 13 1/2, 14, or sometimes, even 15. You know, they say, the bigger the feet are, the bigger the.....socks needed. Thankfully, I still have socks which fit my feet. ;)



Boxfresh / (n)/ |bäks•-,fresh|
1. Someone or something that is new and cool or innovative in a fashion sense.
2. Originally derived from New York hip-hip slang, describing a new pair of footwear as being ‘fresh out of the box’.

#PhilippineFridays for Philippine Tourism

#PhilippineFridays is a project which aims to help Philippine Tourism by putting the Philippines as an online Twitter trending topic once a week. A topic will be given every week for netizens to tweet or blog about. Let's concentrate on this, and let's promote the Philippines in a positive light :) P.S. This project is a collaboration between creative minds, which came out of the #ManilaMinds, a group committed to Heal Manila.

3RD TOPIC (06/03): What images come to your mind when you hear the word Philippines?

2ND TOPIC: What Filipino Food do you miss eating?

1ST TOPIC: What's your favorite Philippine destination? Why? :)

Tell the world what is your favorite destination in the Philippines, and why is it your favorite. Tweet. Blog. Spread the word.

Design by TeamManila.

#PhilippineFridays Blog Posts:
*WanderrGirl: #PhilippineFridays: Believe me, this is just the beginning
ANNAlysis: #PhilippineFridays for Philippine Tourism#PhilippineFridays To Promote The Philippines
KevinRayChua: It's #PhilippineFridays
Manila Minds Launches #PhilippineFridays

MARU: Korean Restaurant in Manila

MARU is a relatively newly opened Korean Restaurant in Robinsons Place Manila. We were curious about the place since its opening because of its well lit interiors, and a bit classy but cool look from the outside. One day after work, my friends and I decided to eat dinner and try the place out. Thankfully, it was actually a good restaurant, with good food.



SAMGYEOP SAL (PHP 300) - A popular Korean dish, which consist of thick fatty pork belly meat, somewhat like bacon, but not marinated or seasoned. It's usually accompanied by two kinds of sauces, namely, ssamjang or a paste with chili and soybean paste with sesame oil, and gireumjang, which is made of salt and sesame oil The meat was good, but it lacks flavor. I expected too much from their description that it was similar to bacon, but I guess nothing beats the good old bacon strip, eh?



JEUKSUK BULGOGI (PHP 420) - Marinated thin slices of tender beef, which cooks perfectly on the grill. A must try if you decide to dine in this restaurant. It definitely won't disappoint as it's really tender and juicy. This one's my favorite! :)



But before the main course, they will give you around 8 plates of different banchan or side dishes or starters if you may, which includes the usual Korean dishes such as Kimchi, and some others which I don't know what they're called. They also give you this plate with lettuce, chili and garlic. You use the lettuce as a wrap for the meat you grill. I tell you, the food is really good, and healthier.




Yuri of Lost Tsinelas and Sheena of (insert blog name here later), two of my really good friends. Good Food + Good Friends = Great Fulfilling Evening :) Until the next food adventure! Can you suggest a restaurant we can try? ;)

Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim visits Siargao

Siargao, a prime Philippine tourism destination, is part of the province of Surigao del Norte. It is one of the islands in the Philippines which faces the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the spots in the country where the sun rises and sets first. I went there recently for an assignment, and I easily fell for its insanely great scenery, awesome waters, and hospitable people. This post will feature my photos and coverage on the visit of Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim to Siargao. I will definitely write a different post on Siargao soon! Siargao, I shall return! ;)



Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim visited Siargao Island for the 1st Lip-Lipan Festival or the Billfish Festival and the 4th Siargao International Game-Fishing Tournament held last April 28 to May 1. He was welcomed by Congressman Lalo Matugas, Governor Sol Matugas, and the Mayors of Siargao. Secretary Lim arrived at Siargao Airport in Del Carmen with Department of Tourism (DOT) Region XIII Director Leticia Tan, Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Tinio Matugas, and his first lady, Tita Carla.



Upon arrival, we immediately went to the opening of the 1st Lip-lipan or Bill Fish Festival, where the people performed dances their dances and cheers, to give thanks for good catch all year 'round. They also opened the 2nd Siargao Island Agri-Aqua Trade Fair and Exhibit, where the Secretary and his wife were able to see Siargao's produce. Their products (vegetables, seafood, etc) are notably really big and fresh.

Secretary Lim was happy to see that there were tourist police around Siargao. He immediately asked me to snap a shot of him with the DOT-PNP's Tourism Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) "graduates." Apparently, they just had their seminar and "graduated" last month in Surigao City.



"Stress Relief." The photo below is taken around 4pm from one of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Home-stay Program houses, which the Secretary visited before going to the opening of the Game-Fishing tournament. Since there are no hotels in Siargao (maybe just a few resorts in General Luna), the Department of Tourism used the Home-stay program to host tourists when they stay in the island.

The program also gives the locals livelihood and exposes them to different kinds of people. For around 1,200 pesos, guests will be able to enjoy a room, with air conditioning, towel, toiletries, and 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). I tell you, it's all worth it because usually, they serve you really fresh fish, crabs or lobsters.



He was able to meet, dialogue and consult with the Siargao local government officials, and tourism officials regarding tourism sites and development in the area and the region.

“We would like to promote different kinds of tourism based on natural endowments, our strengths. Sports tourism and adventure tourism is one of those new forms of tourism that we have a particular endowment for, especially in the island of Siargao,” says Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim.



The next day, the Secretary was able to visit General Luna, the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, and maybe of Asia, where the famous Cloud 9 and its perfect waves, are voted one of the best by surfers all over the world. Mayor Jaime Rusillon was gracious enough to tour us around Cloud 9. Definitely, the platform built many years ago needs upgrading and needs an upkeep so that more tourists and guests may be able to enjoy and watch surfers hit the waves.

Apparently, Siargao will be hosting the National Surfing Cup on September 17-20, the Billabong Pro-Junior Championship Tour on September 21-28, and the Siargao International Surfing Cup on September 29 to October 03. It will also be the venue of the first ever South East Asian Games surfing tilt. 26th SEAGAMES here we come!



Gerry Degan, and his wife Susan, of Sagana Resort in General Luna, Siargao welcomed Secretary Lim in his resort. Too bad the Secretary wasn't able to try and learn how to surf (because it was low tide). Instead, he was able to try to hold a surfboard, and pose with it. This photo, I like very much! :)


(L-R: Surigao Governor Sol Matugas, Gerry Degan, General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon, Carla Lim, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, and Surigao del Norte Congressman Lalo Matugas)

From the resort, he went straight to Del Carmen, met with Mayor JR Matugas Coro, and back to Manila through the Sayak Airport in Siargao.

Siargao still needs a lot of help not only from the government but also from the private sector. Investing in Siargao will definitely go a long way. If only I had that much money, I would put it there! Siargao has a lot to offer, not only does it have the best waves in the region, but also it has one of the best environment for relaxation, sports, and nature-tripping, if you ask me.