Category Archives: Travel to the Philippines

No Conservation For Heritage

How many are the heritage infrastructure in Metro Manila that Heritage Conservationists wanted to preserved yet was ordered to demolish?

According to reports there are at least Four Manila’s heritage structures or Four Binondo Houses that are doom to destruction or demolishment which heritage conservationists wanted to stop wherein they send letter to Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim for the stoppage of the demolition of the Four Binondo Houses or heritage structures or the Four Ancestral Manila heritage Binondo Houses. Moreover, the Heritage Conservation Society or HCS have not only received reports about the ongoing demolition of the four ancestral Binondo houses which they will try to halt but have also received that the old GSIS building or the GSIS Headquarters right next to Manila City Hall is planned to be demolish as was in the first quarter of the year there are already two significant Manila heritage structures that has been demolished, that is the Meralco Building and Laperal Apartments.

“It has come to our attention that four heritage houses in Binondo (three of them beside each other at 529 Elcano Street; and one at the corner of Jaboneros and Camba Streets) are being demolished. Aside from being built during the Spanish colonial period and surviving the Second World War, the details of the said houses may be architecturally significant. This adds to the long list of demolitions in the City of Manila just in the first half of the year, most significant of which are the Meralco Building and Laperal Apartments, and the news of the planned demolition of the GSIS Headquarters right next to Manila City Hall…” – Letter of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) to Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

However, in the reports in the Philippine Daily Inquirer the letter of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) is dated May 8,2012 but on the letter posted by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) on their facebook like page, it is dated May 18,2012.

“..In a May 8 letter to Lim, the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) said the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10066) states that the modification or demolition of properties aged 50 years old and above needs the consent of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)…” Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) reports.

According to Republic Act No.10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,before these Four Binondo Manila heritage houses and structure(old GSIS building, as well the like buildings of Meralco Building and Laperal Building) could be demolish or modified it should be consented first to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCCA) as well as to Heritage Conservation Society if ever Four Binondo Manila heritage house and structures should be demolish or not; it should have the approval and evaluation first of the latter commission and society. Not only these Four Binondo Manila heritage houses which was doom to be demolish without the consent of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and with the Heritage Conservation Society but also the rest of all the considered heritage sites not only in or within Metro Manila but also within the entire Philippines should be consented to National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) before they could be touched for modification or demolition.

“ We would like to remind your good office of Republic Act No. 10066 – National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. Section 5 states that modification or demolition of properties at least 50 years and older need the consent of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). That means that this year, buildings built in 1962 or earlier are protected by law and that the NCCA needs to evaluate its significance first before a permit (to demolish) is granted, if ever it is granted,” stated by Heritage Conservation Society vice president Ivan Henares which is also a travel writer and tourism consultant.

In concurrences to the vice president of Heritage Conservation Society Ivan Henares, the Heritage Conservation Society president Gemina Cruz Araneta which is a former tourism secretary wherein Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim appointed as cultural adviser, is of course also against the demolition of not only the old GSIS building as well as also any heritage sites and structures in the Philippines.
The campaign to save the Four Binondo Manila Heritage houses and the old GSIS building or the GSIS Headquarters right next to Manila City Hall has said to be gone online through e-mail and facebook by a Philippine Daily Inquirer contributor or writer.

“…The campaign to save the structure has also gone online through an e-mail drive and a Facebook page…” But to my research there is none campaign on facebook concerning such campaign to stop the demolition of these Four Binondo Manila heritage houses as well as the old Government Service Insurance System(GSIS) building on the Aroceros Street, Ermita Manila as well as to the “..four heritage houses in Binondo (three of them beside each other at 529 Elcano Street; and one at the corner of Jaboneros and Camba Streets)..” which the Philippine Daily Inquirer writer erroneously reports to be three houses.

“In its letter to Lim, the HCS also said it had received word that old structures in Binondo, particularly a house on 529 Elcano St., and another on Jaboneros corner Camba streets, were also being demolished…‘Aside from being built during the Spanish colonial period and surviving the Second World War, the details of these houses may be architecturally significant,’” stated by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS)”..PDI reports

However, it is just a mere “like” page of fan page on facebook with post links on the articles like the article on the Philippine Daily Inquirer and their letter to Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim as well as link to Republic Act No. 10066 – National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 have just 1,211 likes which of smaller quantity or volume to hold a campaign drive whatsoever the writer on the Philippine Daily Inquirer claim to be which these likes can only be on the past and not in concurrence to the current complaint received by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) regarding the ongoing demolition activities of the four heritage Binondo houses in Manila.

For if there is a online campaign drive to stop the demolition of these deem Manila heritage structures, how come on latest news these ancestral houses in Binondo are on the state of being demolish without the consent of Heritage Conservation Society and by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) or they are not considered or deem to be heritage structure or officially deem cultural heritage houses, even though the Heritage Conservation Society deem their designs both exterior and interior as to be considered of greater value to the culture heritage of the Philippines because they are being built during Spanish colonial period and has survived according to Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) Second World War or short they are not in protection of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) which the heritage society should protected all those deem by its society as National Heritage with guards on it, how come the demolition team could touch it anyway if they are already considered or deem National Heritage by the Heritage Conservation Society or HCS but yet they are on the haste to halt the demolition operation of the four houses for they send letter to Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim?

The Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) has personally admitted that the Binondo houses are already on the state of being demolish but the old Government Service Insurance System(GSIS) building which was build or rather design by famous Filipino architect Federico Ilustre who has designed not only the old Government Service Insurance System(GSIS) building but also some important or of great value infrastructures in the Philippines like the Manila International Airport, Philippine College of Commerce and Quezon Memorial Monument is not yet on the process demolition state without their consent for the Metro Manila Mayor Afredo Lim has issued a permit to demolish them.

“..Obviously, buildings built during the Spanish and American colonial periods are covered by this law. And it is bewildering how your local building official has been issuing these permits for prewar heritage without the written approval of the NCCA. As we all know, “Ignorance of the law excuses no one.” Or as the good mayor puts it, “The law applies to all, otherwise, none at all!” In Manila’s case, looks like it’s none at all.

There is a process that must be followed before a demolition permit is granted. This process is in place to help protect the last remaining significant heritage structures in our nation’s capital…”

Survivor Caramoan Islands

Leave a reply

Another season of the hit reality TV show “Survivor”, especially the US series at the Philippine islands particularly at the Caramoan Islands in Camarines Sur; wherein then there is also a “Survivor” international franchise which held their location on the Philippine archipelago, that is the France franchise: “Koh-Lanta” at Palawan Island which then the “Survivor USA” back out of their supposed “Survivor” location at Culion, Palawan Philippines due to some reasons.

However, now the “Survivor US” has come back into the Philippines to taped or film their latest survivor season at Caramoan Islands, season Twenty Five(25th season);wherein the French version, “Koh-Lanta”, held their location also during their eight season last 2008 from July 4 to September 20.

The Caramoan Island or the Caramoan Peninsula in the Philippines is a separated island from Camarines Sur with hilly-rocky partly terrain located near-east of Camarines Sur, Philippines.

The island have National Park that have caves, limestone formations, white sand beaches, a lake and a subterranean river where most tourist pay visit with. Moreover, since it is a famous tourist spot, it has some resorts like Gota Village Resort, Rex Tourist Inn and Roa Pension House.

Thus, it seems, the latest season of Survivor US is not far away from civilization but just on the civilization itself pretending to be cast always for the Caramoan Island or Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur is a famous tourist spot in the Philippines. Moreover, that is why the Camarines or CamSur governor is delighted to have the Survivor team and contestants in the island because it will boost tourism revenues and some tourist will be curious and excited to see or take or peek the reality show though it may be restricted to take a peek; that is an added attraction of local and foreign tourists.

Caramoan Islands is the top pick destinations of the latest season of Survivor USA or Survivor US, as well as their 26th season because not only of its natural beauty and perfect forest location but also the French franchise has proven it to be perfect location for survivor stints so also other international survivor franchises that follows the French franchise during 2009;the Survivor franchise of Bulgaria “Survivor : Conquering Asia-Philippines : Season Four(4) that have shot from May to July 2009 and was aired at the fall of 2009; the Survivor franchise of Serbia “Survivor: Srbija : Philippines or Season Two(2) during the summer of 2009 created by Vision Team company and broadcast by Fox Televizija; the Survivor franchise of Sweden “Expedition Robinson”, season 2010.

Sweden’s Survivor franchise was renamed into “Expeditiu Robinson” so as to create their own and reflect their culture and alludes the “Robinson Crusoe” and The Swiss Family Robinson, which are the two stories featuring people marooned by shipwrecks; it has a female hosts not to other franchise or international version which has or have male hosts.

The Denmark Survivor franchise Robinson Ekspeditionen or the Robinson Ekspeditionen 2011 or Robinson: All or Nothing which is the fourteenth season of the Danish version adopted from the Swedish version of the original US TV Reality Show “Survivor”,” Expedition Robinson”, was also film and shot at Caramoan Island or Caramoan Peninsula of the Philippine Islands or Philippine archipelago at Camarines Sur.

The Denmark version of the US Reality TV Show “Survivor” which held its fourteenth version at the Caramoan Islands of the Philippines during 2011 was also followed by another European version; that is the Norway version of the popular TV series.

The Norway version which is “Robinsonekspedisjonen” also adopted the Sweden and Denmark version, thus it has also a “Robinson Crusoe” format.

The eleventh season of the Norwegian version: Robinsonekspedisjonen 2011 – premier last September 4, 2011 and finish early December and was held at Caramoan Islands in the Philippines.

Then, after the Norwegian version which has a “Robinsoe Crusoe” format, the Belgium follows thru.

The Belgium version which is titled “Expeditie Robinson” or the Expeditie Robinson 2011,the thirteenth season of the Belgium version of the “Survivor” series was also film or shot at Caramoan Islands of the Philippines and was aired on September 1,2011 from the RTL5 and 2BE Reality television.

Then, an Asian version follow the same location; the Indian version: Survivor India – The Ultimate Battle, or Survivor India : Caramoan Island, the Indian version of the world hit TV series “Survivor” was also based on the European version, that is the “Expedition Robinson”
Survivor India: Caramoan Islands is India’s first season of the Survivor series which was filmed during the summer of 2011 and will be aired from January 6, 2012.

Therefore, from a lot of survivor series held mostly at Caramoan Islands of the Philippine archipelago; what more Camarines Sur could ask for in terms of Tourism revenue: Caramoan Islands will survive the tsunami of profits or tourism revenue.

Ayala Bags First PPP Money

Leave a reply

Ayala Corporation recently declared that it has bag first the money allotted for PNoy’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program amounting 2 billion pesos for the project Daang Hari-South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Link Road which is considered to be the very first project auctioned by the Aquino administration for its Public-Private Partnership(PPP) program; to be the winning bidder and were so very excited to bag more.

“We are delighted to have submitted a competitive proposal for the first project under the government’s public-private partnership program. This is a good initial foray in the transport infrastructure space and we believe this successful experience working within a public-private partnership framework would be helpful in pursuing future projects under the ppp program”, said by Ayala Corporation president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala.
They bag the fund last December 22,2011 hand over by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and were also expected to complete all the requirements for the right-of-way within six months upon signing the concession agreement.

However, the Ayala Corporation is not alone on this project but in partnership with a Spanish Engineering company, Getinsa; that will help the Ayala conglomerate in their expertise in infrastructure projects the detailed design of the project is expected to be complete within four months.

The Link Road project is named “Daang Hari” because the road will start at the Daang Hari if one is in Imus cavite and desire to enter the south Luzon expressway near the Susana Heights Interchange and would enter Cavite.

Actually, this road project is a major arterial road that will connect the towns of Imus, Dasmarinas, and Bacoor Cavite to Metro Manila via South Luzon Expressway (SLEx).It is a Cavite bound road or a road that will provide strategic access to Cavite.

This road project handled by the Ayala Corporation under PNoy’s Public-private partnership program is expected to start its construction by February 2012(segment 1) and will end on September 2012(segment 2)

The expected starting toll rate once this project is finally running or open: P17 for class 1 vehicles,P34 for class 2 vehicles and P51 for class 3 vehicles; all the toll rates are valued-added tax(VAT) inclusive or have already value-added tax(VAT) included on each.
This road project is advantageous to Ayala Corporation because through this road, their real estate properties within Cavite can now be easily accessible to their estate owners and clients.

Another road in the Philippines that is mostly the few rich clans in the Philippines has more advantage of.

“Mega Epal” Cory?

Leave a reply

“Mega Epal” case is what Bayan Muna party list Representative Teddy Casino see at Bohol Representative Rene Relampagos’ propose bill to rename again the main circumferential road and highway of Manila that stretched from Balintawak in Quezon City to Pasay City which is originally known as 19 de Junio (June 19) and then as Highway 54 and then EDSA; from Epifanio de los Santos Avenue(EDSA) into Cory Aquino Avenue which violates the “Anti-Epal” Bill of not attaching the name of any Philippine politicians in any government infrastructure.
Aside from violating the “Anti-Epal” Bill, Bayan Muna party list Representative Teddy Casino, said that what happened on People Power on the grounds of EDSA is not about Corazon (Cory) Aquino but the uprising that took place on EDSA is about the people’s struggle against “tyranny” of Ferdinand Marcos, according to him. Thus, according to him, it is not right to rename EDSA into Cory Aquino Avenue.

With the same sentiments, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said that that it is difficult to erase the name EDSA because according to him, that is already an institution that Filipinos should honor rather than discard it and that should not be tampered. Moreover, he even suggest that the Aquino administration that wants highway that can be name in his late mother should instead rename the road that leads to Hacienda Luisita (perhaps, Lagman refers to SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway))

Filipino netizens also disagree about the proposed bill and utterly say “No” to it and even scoff Cory because Cory was not really present during the People Power but some says she is in Cebu during those times, as well Bohol Representative Rene Relampagos who propose the bill was scoff and label as “sip-sip” on the Aquino clan.

But Bohol Representative Rene Relampagos said that he has an idea to rename EDSA into Cory Aquino Avenue because according to him that one cannot think of 1986 EDSA Revolution without thinking of Corazon C. Aquino, thus, according to him, it is only fitting to give her the tribute.

However, actually, this idea of renaming again the Highway 54 into a new name or from EDSA into Cory Aquino Avenue was not originally an idea of Bohol Representative Rene Relampagos but rather it was first an idea of former senator Mar Roxas who propose it days after when Cory died of colon cancer.

By the way, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) was constructed during the presidency of Manuel L.Quezon and was originally named after the birthday of the famous Filipino hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, thus the highway got its first name as 19 de Junio or June 19.And then was renamed into Highway 54 under Republic Act No. 2140 in 1959 and again was further renamed in honor of a noted Filipino historian, Epifanio de los Santos. Thus, EDSA or Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

Hotel For Tourists

Leave a reply

Hotel accommodation is very important if one travels and stay for tourism purpose on a foreign land compare to a little cottage or a hostel; hotel is a preferable place to stay and rest instead. However, it depends on what kind of hotel one will check-in; if these hotels have all the service one needs while staying on a foreign land.
In the Philippines, there are many first-class hotels, tourists both locals and foreigners could check-in; now lately a new first-class hotel has been erected to serve the tourist population of Samar Islands – the Ciriaco Hotel & Resort – which have opened last November last year.

The first class hotel and resort was erected to serve the tourist population of Samar Islands since Samar Islands is one of the best tourists places in the Philippines that have all the tourist spots and adventures, tourists would like to see, experience and enjoy. That is, Samar Islands have beautiful islets with white beaches, historical places to learn, have good surfing and diving sites, waterfalls, rivers; caves and other natural wonders of nature Samar Islands is blessed with.

Ciriaco Hotel & Resort

Actually, Ciriaco Hotel & Resort is the only hotel of its kind in Samar Islands compare to others. For it offers first class Hotel accommodation that features many amenities and facilities which modern tourists could enjoy.

Among them are:

1. Spacious fully air-conditioned rooms with 37” LCD TVs with cable connection and phone connection. The rooms have of course own T&B with rainforest showers; rooms have also work desks and luggage racks and with high speed internet access.

2. A two function rooms

3. A Business Center with secretarial, fax, photocopying, computer rentals, presentation equipment rentals, and a courier service.

4. A Café Bar with bands playing nightly from Thursday to Sunday weekly.

5. A laundry and pressing service

6. A Money Exchange Service

7. A personalized wake up calls Service

8. A Free Breakfast
…and More..

If you are interested to check this first class hotel in Samar Islands, the next time you want to visit the islands, Ciriaco Hotel & Resort is located along the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Bagacay, Calbayog City Samar.

By the way, Ciriaco Hotel & Resort is still ongoing improvement to make it more first class hotel in the Samar Islands wherein both local and foreign tourists could enjoy their tourist stay at the Samar islands and their tourist experience on the Samar Islands.

Pinas Beyond Bad News

Leave a reply

The Philippines is Not a Scary Place..Hehe

Just like Mindanao Philippines or should I say with bad reports and news which include largely the Mindanao region of the Philippines that besets the entire Philippines like too much politicking, reports of corrupt government officials, natural calamities, etc. the Philippines still remains the most safest place to live in the world with its balance weather condition, low-cost of living for foreigners, caring and hospital people, good medical facilities, natural attractions and beach places, good for business investment, no death penalty, though the Philippine is a predominantly Christian religion it still respect other religions or one is free to live by one’s personal beliefs, it is a democratic country, low crime rates so far and it should be, and the Philippines is in tune with what is the latest happenings in the world or have progressing civilization.

City Highways in the Philippines

This report was said release through a foreign survey group, and if this is true then it could be a good news for the Philippines but though this kind of reports is not yet published, the Philippine has still of course good points that every Filipino must be proud of their country just what I enumerate above about some good stuffs in the Philippines despite of some bad news and activities going on compare to other countries that are really dangerous to live in because of high crime rates, too much poverty, anarchy, and bad weather condition.

So despite of the negative things happening in our country, let us count our blessings and be thankful about it. For money is not the only thing which makes a man happy, is not it? (We all know that the Philippines is not actually a financially rich country)

Private Roads In The Philippines

1 Reply

Issue on Private Roads

Not all highways and expressways in the Philippines are owned wholly by the Philippine government just like not all facilities and establishments erected were owned by the Philippine government though these were on the Philippine ground and utilize within the Philippine domains. Thus, for this reason, a tax exist on those private own properties in payment for using the privileges and land property of the Philippine government they use and access. This relationship does not only exist in the Philippines but also on every countries of the world. But sometimes, it does not go well on this kind of relationship because of conflict of interests of both parties wherein the innocent customers/people are the ones who suffers a lot.

Take for example, if the Philippine government tax greatly a private company, like the private roads in the Philippines (North Luzon Expressway[NLEx],South Luzon Expressway[SLEx],Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Coastal Road, and the Skyway) which the present administration (the Aquino Administration) have planned to do but was blocked by the Supreme Court of the Philippines – the private owners will transfer the burden of the government tax to the innocent civilian Filipinos by increasing the cost of their service, like the toll rates on private roads. Thus, the civilian Filipinos are the always innocent victims.

North Luzon Expressway

It seems, the Aquino administration have made mistake again in their plans to levied a 12 % VAT (value added tax) on private roads because it was blocked by the Supreme Court and some Filipino people wants the TRO (temporary restraining order) to be permanent, else the innocent motorists will suffer the increase toll rates.

Flights to Philippines Part 1

Leave a reply

If you are going in a Philippine vacation into the Philippine archipelago or rather to a particular island in the Philippines, you should consider some flight package rates before packing your bags and accessories and fly into the Philippines. Yes, of course, I know you already knew that, however, I am here to give some ideas about your Philippine vacation or Philippine travel or flights to Philippines.

Let us begin this by where in the Philippines you are planning to stay or to have a vacation. And then from where you will land in the Philippines or rather from what airports in the Philippines you will be coming from. This will assess your flights to Philippines or your budget.

For example, if you happen to be at Metro Manila Airport or at Nino Aquino International Airport:

If you are going to Boracay City Philippines, You can ride to SEAIR Airlines. This airline is the fastest and most advanced aircraft going to Boracay Philippines if you are from Manila Philppines or Metro Manila Philippines. It has a daily flight from Manila to Caticlan Philippines or to Caticlan Airport. Just look for flight schedules at SEAIR website or inquire about it at their hotlines. To inquire about how much is their flight package; you can browse their flight package at their website with respective rates at specific destination or location at Boracay.
However, if you like cold weather or if you are going to Baguio City Philippines, you can instead ride a bus going to Baguio city than booking for a flight. It is cheaper to go to Baguio city by land. You can ride a bus going to Baguio city at this following bus stations: Dagupan Bus Lines, which is located at New York Cubao, Quezon City Philippines; Partas transport, which is located at Aurora Boulevard Cubao. Quezon City Philippines, and at Victory Liner, which is located at EDSA, Pasay Metro Manila Philippines.
If Cultural adventure is your trip and you like to go to Vigan City Philippines, you can either choose a flight or a bus ride. If you choose a flight, you could buy a ticket at Philippine Airlines (PAL) which flies three times a week to Laog City Philippines. You can browse their flight package at Philippine Airlines website. Then, having landed to Laog city, you can commute a bus or by land transportation there going to Vigan City. It is estimated that Laog City is 8o kilometers away from Vigan City Philippines, or that is one and a half hour trip.

If you prefer to ride a bus, you can ride at these bus stations: Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines, which is located at Rizal Avenue, Manila Philippines or at EDSA; Dominion Bus Lines, which is located at New York Street Cubao, Quezon city Philippines; Partas Bus Company, which is located at Aurora Boulevard, Quezon Philippines; and at Maria De Leon Transit, which is located at Dapitan corner, Gelinos Street, Sampaloc, Metro Manila Philippines.

By bus transportation going to Vigan City from Manila Philippines is approximately a seven hours trip, so you should bring your pillows if you prefer to travel by land.