Month: September 2011

Philippines features Davao in China Travel Expo 2011

Published by Jojie Alcantara

 Click here to view large images of Expo event PHILIPPINES FEATURES DAVAO IN CHINA TRAVEL EXPO Text and photos by Jojie Alcantara, published in SunStar Davao, Sept. 10, 2011 Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio led the Davao delegates in attending the China Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (CIBTM) 2011 in Beijing, China from August 30 to September 1, 2011. Last year’s CIBTM 2010 saw record-breaking attendance, and this year’s event topped it. The Department of Tourism has launched the Chinese Tourism Marketing Program last June in the aim of capturing the market.  Nine media entities and one major tour operator were invited to Davao as part of the exposure and validation tour, following the promotional undertakings they set in Beijing earlier on. This year’s CIBTM trip is a follow through of said lineup of activities. During the 3-day event, Davao was the featured destination of the Philippines, following that of Boracay and Palawan which are popular destinations among Chinese tourists. During the Philippine Travel Conference held in The Regent Beijing, Mayor Sara gave a …

Kadayawan goes bigger and brighter (2011)

Published by Jojie Alcantara

Read the large version here or view more photos Here’s my column head below for Manila Bulletin Kadayawan sa Davao goes bigger and brighter Text and photos by Jojie Alcantara (Scene Stealer), published in Manila Bulletin, Sept. 18, 2011 Davao’s major festival underwent a facelift this year.  With the private sector taking rein, backed up by the local government, Duaw Dabaw Foundation Inc. was tasked to make sure this year’s revelry becomes unforgettable again, rain or shine. True enough, no intertropical convergence zone or low pressure area could mar the new stage built for the performances that draw thousands of crowds from all Mindanao each year. The island’s biggest and most pulsating celebration, Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival, pays tribute to Mindanao’s indigenous tribes as the focal point of the festivities. Derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw”, Kadayawan signifies anything that is of good value, meaning “beautiful, superior, or beneficial”. Celebrated every month of August, Kadayawan sa Dabaw’s theme this year is “Ten Tribes, One Vibe,” focusing on the multicolored mix of Davao and Mindanao’s indigenous …

Cebu Pacific eyes regional expansion

Published by Jojie Alcantara

Cebu Pacific eyes regional expansion by Robert Stockdill Sent by Jil North Senior Inflight Media Manager – Smile – Cebu Pacific Air Inflight Magazine Cebu Pacific has reported a 21 per cent boost in international passenger numbers during the second quarter of 2011 as it continues to expand beyond a thriving domestic market. While the bulk of its business is still domestic – where it claims to have a 45 per cent market share by passenger numbers – the strongest growth is coming from international sectors as a steadily growing fleet allows it to expand its reach. In the latest quarter total traffic grew 14.8 per cent. Cebu Pacific (CEB) continues to post profits anchored on its successful low-cost model while its older rival Philippine Airlines struggles with an older fleet and a reliance on long-haul premium fare international routes to drive income. CEB’s largest hubs are Manila and Cebu, but it is now aggressively targeting a third hub, Davao, The Philippines’ second largest commercial centre. International growth was across the board during the last …

Cebu Pacific stays simple and scalable

Published by Jojie Alcantara

Cebu Pacific Stays Simple and Scalable Source: written by Alexandra Wexler Sent by Jil North Senior Inflight Media Manager – Smile – Cebu Pacific Inflight Magazine Soaring competition in Asia’s low-cost airline industry is a sign that the model works, says Lance Gokongwei, chief executive of Philippines-based carrier Cebu Pacific. Résumé Education:B.S. in finance and B.S. in applied science from the Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology at the University of Pennsylvania (1987) Career:Worked at various units of Cebu Pacific parent company JG Summit Holdings Inc., a conglomerate founded by his father. His current positions include president and chief operating officer of JG Summit. He is also president and chief executive officer of Cebu Air Inc. Extracurricular: Running and reading about history. Thai Airways, All Nippon Airways and Singapore Airlines have all announced plans for new low-cost carriers in recent months, while last week Australia’s Qantas Airways and Japan Airlines said they are planning a low–cost joint venture too. These new entrants will have to fight it out with the likes of Indonesia’s Lion …

Philippines is one of 15 nations with most number of Miss Universe awards

Published by Jojie Alcantara

Philippines is one of 15 nations with most number of Miss Universe awards SOURCE: Article by Rose-An Jessica Dioquino from  GMAnews online 09/13/2011 After Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup’s fourth-place finish in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant on Tuesday, the Philippines remains one of four Asian countries on the list of top 15 nations with the most number of awards from the prestigious beauty contest. Overall, 16 candidates from the Philippines made it beyond the preliminary round of the Miss Universe pageant, with two of them taking home the title, four years apart: 1954 – Blesilda Ocampo (semifinalist) 1963 – Lalaine Bennett (3rd runner-up) 1965 – Louise Vail Aurelio (semifinalist) 1966 – Maria Clarinda Soriano (semifinalist) 1969 – Gloria Diaz (Miss Universe, ten best in swimsuit) 1972 – Armi Barbara Crespo (semifinalist) 1973 – Margarita Moran (Miss Universe, Miss Photogenic) 1974 – Guadalupe Sanchez (semifinalist) 1975 – Rose Mari Brosas (4th runner-up) 1980 – Maria Rosario “Chat” Silayan (3rd runner-up) 1984 – Maria Desiree Verdadero (3rd runner-up) 1987 – Geraldine Asis (semifinalist) 1994 – Charlene Gonzales​ …