Business Opportunities in the Philippines...

Is your business ready for internationalisation? Then look no further. The Philippines, with over 92 million people, is one of the largest markets in Southeast Asia and the 12th largest country in the world in terms of population. With a literacy rate of over 93%, it is one of the largest English speaking countries in the world, which makes it so easy to do business there.

Hear it first hand from Stephen Lillie -- Her Majesty's Ambassador, The Philippines, on why you should consider opportunities in the Philippines. Visit www.businessinasia.co.uk

Giant Lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines...

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all our customers and friends..!!

Donsol Whale Shark Interaction Guidelines from WWF Philippines...

Donsol is famous for the whale sharks that feed in its waters from December to June every year. It offers visitors the chance to experience close encounters with these magnificent creatures. Whale sharks, however, are wild animals, and interaction guidelines are being enforced as safety measures for both humans and whale sharks.

Donsol Whale Shark Interaction Guidelines from WWF-Philippines on Vimeo.

Philippine Trails offers holidays to Donsol where you can enjoy the fantastic experience of seeing these great animals. Please enquire for more information...

Philippines - a "Must-See Destination for 2011"...

The Philippines appears on a new list of must-see destination in 2011, travel exports have revealed.

Using travel trends and statistics, Travel.com.au has released a list of destinations, travel tips and airlines for the new year.

While affordable airfares and its rich culture were the key factors for Brazil’s selection, interest in India continues to rise as well as the Philippines, which is becoming increasingly popular due to the political unrest in Thailand and its untapped beaches.

Read more...

Give Kiva Cards this Christmas!

This holiday season, think about adding Kiva Cards to your holiday gift list. Give one to a Kiva fan or introduce friends and family to microlending by giving them credit to make a loan! Kiva Cards allow the recipient to search for a borrower and make a loan using the Kiva Card they have been given. And don't forget the best part: credit from Kiva Cards can be used again and again after repayment from the borrower! It truly is a reusable gift that is helping to alleviate poverty around the globe.

Visit www.kiva.org/gifts to explore the options we have this year for giving. This year Kiva is excited to offer the best gift idea yet: a real, hold-in-your-hand Kiva Card! You can also print or email Kiva Cards directly from the site.

Christmas in the Philippines!

If you happen to visit the Philippines during the Christmas season, don’t be surprised to find the country abuzz with celebration. Being the only Christian dominated country in Asia, the Philippines start the season as early as September. As the countdown to Christmas begins, Christmas songs fill the airwaves, and Christmas decor adorns the shopping-malls, streets, buildings, and homes.

There are parties and reunions left and right with gift giving as the main activity. Bazaars are put up in hotels, villages, churches, and shopping centres as everyone plays Santa to their families, relatives, and friends. Feeding programs happen almost everyday to benefit street children and orphans.

Read more of this article HERE...

The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival - Puerto Galera...

Celebrating Puerto Galera’s Eco-Cultural Heritage

Welcome to the First Puerto Galera Malasimbo
Music and Arts Festival

February 18-20, 2011
Villa Malasimbo, Puerto Galera, Mindoro

The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival is a 2 day full moon event, celebrating Philippine Arts & Culture in Puerto Galera.

The music will feature an eclectic blend of sounds influenced by jazz, blues, soul, funk, dub & world music.

The festival will showcase artists whose installation pieces will blend in with the environment.

Read more on the dedicated website HERE...

Atlantis Dive Resorts' Latest Newsletter Highlights Azores Anilao Charter...

Anilao is known as the birthplace of diving in the Philippines and is one of the most well known dive destinations right at the heart of the coral triangle. Atlantis Resort's Azores Anilao charter starts and ends at the Puerto Galera Resort so it is very easy to combine a stay at the resort with a cruise on Atlantis.
Transfers from Manila are easy in private air conditioned vans or buses to Batangas and then the final hour to the resort is aboard a large banca boat.

Read the latest Newsletter HERE...

Calauit Island - A Little Part of Africa in the Philippines...

Calauit Island lies in the Northwestern coast of Palawan, and was declared a game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in 1977 as the Philippines responded to an appeal by the International Union of Conservation of Nature to save endangered animals in Africa.

The Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary is a natural area where the entire environment and all the plants and animals are allowed to live in a natural state with the absolute minimum of human interference or disturbance.

It evolved to become the country’s major conservation showcase and unique nature park. African animals such as, giraffes and elands, zebras and gazelles co-exist with endemic Philippine animals, like the Palawan bearcat, mousedeer and peacock pheasant. The Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary is now considered one of the Philippines' most amazing sites.

This island is also a haven for more than seventy species of birds, of which ten of them are rare, that rest and flock two hours before sunset, after their wholeday flight.

Saving the Philippines' Marine Environment...

A click of the mouse is all it takes – never has there been an easier way to save the Philippine marine environment, its creatures, and the food source that comes with it.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) recently launched the “I Click, I Save” which enables people with Internet access – from anywhere in the world – to contribute in protecting the Philippines' marine biodiversity.

WWF-Philippines has marine conservation programs all over the country – from Tawi-Tawi way down south to Hamilo Coast in Batangas and Donsol in Sorsogon.

Read the full article here...

"The Wall Street Journal" selects The Farm as one of Asia's Top Spas...

The Farm at San Benito in Lipa City, Batangas, a premier health and wellness resort is proud and honoured to be recognized as one of the region’s finest destination for its detox retreats and living foods cuisine by The Wall Street Journal, acclaimed publication and Asia’s leading business news publication.

It cites The Farm as pioneer in raw and vegan cuisine in Asia and its organic plantation that produces much of its vegan food and spa ingredients. It also commended The Farm for its detoxification programs and cleansing therapies that draws out toxins from the body such as “infusion therapy” in which wheat grass and aloe vera are used to cleanse the digestive tract.

Having won 17 international awards since 2004, The Farm has served as an inspiration to the Philippine tourism industry and benchmark for local spas in the country. Recent awards include AsiaSpa Award for Best Cuisine of the Year in 2009. That same year, CNN Traveller showcased the resort as one of the world’s best green places to stay in CNN Traveller’s list of Six Best Environmentally Friendly Hotels in the world.

Its experienced team of medical doctors, nurturing spa therapists, movement consultants and ‘living food’ chefs together with holistic approach to health has made The Farm one of the leading wellness destinations in the region.

Located an easy two-hour drive south of the Philippines capital of Manila, The Farm sits 1,200 feet above sea level on a former coconut and coffee plantation, gently nestled in the foothills of Mount Malarayat. This award winning 48 hectare resort offers an exceptional healing environment for the holistic treatment of the body, mind and soul. Surrounded by this soothing nature of tropical serenity are spacious suites and villas, meditation pavilions, an organic garden, walking and jogging trails, four swimming pools, fully-equipped gym, medical clinic and spa, and an extraordinary source of pure, natural healing water.

About The Farm 

Rediscover the wellness within you at The Farm, one of the few truly health and wellness resorts in the world. Making use of Nature’s own remedies through our Wellness, Prevention and Recovery programs, we provide the environment, guidance and support you need to achieve your optimum health and maximize your true human potential. Relax in elegantly appointed suites and villas amid lush and tranquil gardens. Feel all your senses stimulated as both traditional and cutting edge therapies retune your mind, body and spirit according to the wisdom of natural laws. Nourishing, rejuvenating, transforming – The Farm welcomes you on a journey towards living at your absolute best. For more information, contact us at Philippine Trails...

Blog Action Day

Today is Blog Action Day - an international movement to create awareness for a cause through a collective posting by bloggers around the world.

This year's cause is water, something 1 in 8 people around the world do not have safe and clean access to. Do you have a blog? Help us and many others build awareness by blogging for water today!

More Here...

Beauty Buzz - Hong Kong's Beauty Bible, reviews The Farm...

"If you haven’t heard of The Farm, a paradisiacal sanctuary located near Manila in the Philippines, then you have missed out on something. This award-winning 48-hectare resort offers a unique healing environment for the holistic treatment of the body and soul whilst using nature’s own remedies with maximum health potentials. The resort’s proposed treatments, wellness, cleansing and detox packages are all very thoroughly thought of and presented to guests and offer a wide range of services to choose from."


Just an extract from a great review for The Farm. Remember, we arrange holidays to this wonderful retreat, so if you're interested, please get in touch!


Read the full Blog from Beauty Buzz...

Kitesurfing on Boracay, Philippines

Cebu Pacific Cabin Crew Dance the Safety Instructions!

Philippines airline, Cebu Pacific have always injected fun into their flights - often holding competitions mid-flight, for example.

Now they have introduced dancing cabin-crew!

According to ABS-CBN News, Cebu Pacific Air plans to have more flights that will feature a dancing airline crew.

The nation’s second flag carrier said in its Twitter account on Wednesday that its flight attendants (FAs) danced just once while demonstrating safety procedures for passengers.

“Hi! Yep, we only did once so far, but we might do it on more selected flights,” a company spokesperson said in a tweet to ABS-CBN News.

Some passengers of the airline were asking why crew in their flights were not breaking into a dance as shown in a video clip that has gone viral worldwide.

The YouTube video of Cebu Pacific’s dancing flight attendants, which was uploaded last Thursday, now has over 7 million views and was featured in the online platforms of CNN, Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Daily Mail, and other news companies.

Improved Itinerary Layouts

We've now given our bespoke itineraries a fresh look!

Nearly all the holidays we prepare and sell are unique and bespoke, according to each customer's specific requirements, and the itineraries have always been meticulously prepared.

The main improvements are that the layout is clearer and hopefully easier to understand, and the final result is now in colour!

If you'd like us to prepare an itinerary for you, please get in touch via our website enquiry form.

Latest Atlantis Resort Newsletter

Here's the latest newsletter from our friends at Atlantic Resorts, Philippines.
Specialising in Diving, Atlantis have resorts at Puerto galera, on the island of Mindoro, and also Dumaguete, on Negros. We have enjoyed staying at both locations in the past.
Oh - and they also do Liveaboard Dive Safaris too.
Here's the newsletter...

Feeding the Blog to Facebook...

We have just employed a rather neat little application that feeds this blog to several of our Facebook pages.

Here's the Philippine Trails page example...

Rare dolphins make Negros Occidental coastal waters their home

About 30 to 40 Irrawaddy dolphins, one of the world's rarest and most threatened species, have been spotted in the coastal waters of Negros Occidental province in Western Visayas.

According to the Visayan Daily Star news site, the Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are found mostly in Bago City and Pulupandan town in Negros Occidental.

Dr. Louella Dolar heads a team of scientists who are determining the actual size of the dolphin population, how far they roam in the area, and the significance of the Negros coastal waters to the dolphins.

Irrawaddy dolphins are found mainly in the Indo-Pacific region. They are coastal animals and they prefer brackish, shallow and protected waters, Dolar explained.

Read the full story HERE...

Tried out TripAdvisor's Nifty New TripWow Slideshow Maker...

The Philippines 2010 Slideshow: Nigel Sutherland’s trip to Manila was created by TripAdvisor. See another Manila slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

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Watch in a New Window (to see the full picture...) HERE...

Another Newsletter from Atlantis Resorts...

Thanks to Atlantis Resorts for sending us their latest newsletter.
Read it online, here...

A Stunning Collection of Philippines Photographs...

Take a look at the wonderful collection of photographs that facebook user, Al Joson has compiled...

Here's the link

Latest Offers Just In From Olympic Holidays

1st September - Cyprus - Half Board - 3.5 star - £335pp
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17th September - Corfu - B&B - 2.5 star - £169pp
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19th September - Zante - Self Catering - 3 star - £175pp
_________________________________________

20th September - Bulgaria - Half Board - 5 star - £299pp
_________________________________________

3rd October - Tunisia - Half Board - 4 star - £329pp
_________________________________________

19th November - Gambia - B&B - 3 star - £439pp
_________________________________________

20th November - Red Sea - B&B - 4 star - £359pp
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25th November - Goa - B&B - 2 star - £445pp
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6th December - Nile Cruises - Full Board - 4 star - £525pp
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All prices are based on 2 sharing per person for 7 nights. Return flights, baggage, 
transfers, full representative service and all taxes and duties included.

The magical island of Boracay in the Philippines

Beautiful white beaches, an active nightlife, and a large number of fun outdoor pastimes are just a handful of things which make the island of Boracay on the western coast of the Philippines an island of paradise among its many visitors.


Website "Johnny Foreigner" gives suggestions and information that should come in handy for anyone who wants to get the most out of their stay in Boracay.

READ MORE...

A Great Online Review of Boracay Tropical Island...

Luxury Villa, snorkelling, white sandy beaches and sitting back to enjoy the sunset at the seaside, Boracay Island in the Philippines is the perfect getaway from the hussle and bustle of the city.

Even famous Hollywood celebrities have holiday homes on this island. Boracay is scenic and boasts luxury condominiums and homes like the Monaco Suites De Boracay for the rich and famous.

Boracay is located in the Western Visayas portion of the Philippines, about an hour by air from Manila.

The island is seven kilometres long and has three main villages — Balabag, Yapak and Manoc-Manoc.

The north and the south of the island are hilly with areas rising up to 100m above sea level. These areas are suitable for hikers. There are numerous inter-twining paths and trails, some leading through tropical jungles.

The best part of the island is White Beach, which stretches four kilometres; the locals call it Long Beach. It is on the western side of the island, facing the Sulu Sea. The water is shallow, making it perfect for swimmers. READ MORE...

UK Minister sees bigger UK interest in the Philippines

Minister of State Jeremy Browne MP spoke before Philippine captains of industry about the UK's advantages as an investment site and its increased interest in Asian markets.

British Foreign Office Minister of State Jeremy Browne MP spoke before Philippine captains of industry about the United Kingdom’s advantages as an investment site and its increased interest in Asian markets.

Read the full story here...

Latest Newsletter from Atlantis Resorts, Philippines

The Atlantis Liveaboard, "The Azores" went exploring some of the Visayan Islands around Bohol as a prelude to upcoming trips.

They found some new dive sites that were well worth the visit and the area proved to be perfect for liveaboards.

Read the full story HERE...

Leonardo DiCaprio is to Visit Albay Province, Philippines, next Month

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio will be treated like an ordinary tourist when he visits Albay province next month.

The Hollywood actor will not be allowed to climb the Mayon volcano or go near the lava front, just like everyone else!

Mayon Volcano, renowned as a "perfect cone" for its nearly symmetrical shape, is a popular spot for nature lovers and mountaineers.

Recently, however, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) said the area is unsafe for any human activity since the volcano is still emitting gases and lava, following fears of an imminent eruption late last year.

Joyce Ramirez, director for international publicity at PR Asia Worldwide, earlier invited DiCaprio to visit Albay to spearhead an environmental awareness project.

She said the actor will be staying at the Misibis Bay, an "ultra-luxurious" resort.

It is not yet known how long DiCaprio will be staying in the province.

See the article HERE...

Atlantis Dive Resorts' Latest Newsletter

The Atlantis Dive Resorts' latest newsletter has just arrived in our office and you can read it online too.

As usual it's an interesting read, and the "Critter of the Month" featured is the Hairy Squat Lobster, (which apparently isn't really a lobster at all! This sought after critter can be tricky to find. It can usually be found in the folds of barrel sponges but blends in very well so having an eagle eyed dive master is very handy. It tends to be very shy so photographing these little guys is not an easy task. It is one of the most beautiful squat lobsters.

Read the Newsletter Here...

The Philippines - Is it safe?

This is a question that we often get asked, and we have to say that to a large extent the idea that the Philippines is unsafe is a myth.

Of course, like many countries, the Philippines has its insurgents, but any troubles of a terrorist nature are generally confined to the very south western peninsula of the island of Mindanao which is over 1,000 kilometers to the south of the Philippine capital of Manila. (Closer to Malaysia!) The government has been fighting this insurrection for years. It very rarely affects any other part of this vast country, and certainly not the beautiful tourist destinations we mainly promote.

When you see the troubles in Thailand, which has border skirmishes with Cambodia, Bird Flu, the Thai Government declaring a state of Emergency and people dying on the streets of Bangkok amidst grenade attacks, shootings and protests by the Red Shirts, you realise how safe the Philippines is. The people are delightful and very welcoming. If anything, people feel more safe because there is always very attentive security at top hotels, shopping malls etc.

We're also asked about the safety of travel between islands. Again this is a story that has arisen because of the unfortunate sinking of several ferries over the years. These have usually been very old ships ferrying the indigenous population, suddenly caught up in typhoons. Certainly not transport used by tourists.

The only ferries we use are the Supercat fast boat between Cebu and Bohol;  the local bancas that take tourists across the short strait from Panay to Boracay; and the crossing from Luzon to Puerto Galera, south of Manila.

Most transport between main islands is by modern aircraft. Cebu Pacific run modern aircraft similar to our EasyJet. We only book flights with such modern aircraft. 

In summary, most visitors to the Philippines are taken back by the friendliness and welcome from the local people, and have no reason to feel unsafe.

Addition: Let's not forget that Tourism is an ever-increasingly vital part of the Philippines economy, employing ordinary people and families all over the various islands.

Philippines tourism up 7.9 percent in first quarter of 2010

The Philippine tourism department reported a 7.89 percent growth in foreign tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2010.


Renowned for beautiful beaches, spectacular scuba diving and small, intimate and affordable beach bungalow resorts, Puerto Galera, Cebu, Bohol and Boracay continue to attract recession-weary travelers looking for the best available bargains.

Visitors from Korea, Taiwan, China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Europe, Australia and the United States all increased.
Read the whole story HERE...

Five Filipino Icons - the Country’s Most Cherished Dishes.

Philippine food is one of the region’s most underrated cuisines. Robyn Eckhardt gives the lowdown on the country’s most cherished dishes.

Photograph by David Hagerman


SINIGANG

Filipinos prize sourness, and they celebrate it in the form of sinigang, a tom yam–like soup of fish, chicken or meat tarted up with sour leaves or fruit.



LECHON

For the country’s Christian majority, pork reigns supreme—an ardor embodied in lechon, or whole spit-roasted pig. Lechon actually describes the cooking process, but pig is so ubiquitous on the spit that the term has come to mean pork.
  


ADOBO

If pressed to name a national dish, most Filipinos would probably choose pork adobo, a comforting braise made with vinegar, plenty of garlic and black pepper.



PANSIT

As with elsewhere in East Asia, Philippine meals generally revolve around rice, but pansit, or noodle dishes, figure prominently in the country’s snack repertoire. Pansit luglug, round rice noodles smothered with a smooth shrimp-flavored sauce tinted orange from annatto seeds, is often eaten for merienda, the late afternoon mini-meal meant to tide one over between lunch and dinner.

TSOKOLATE

Filipinos love sweets and whip up a localized version of Spanish chocolate—thick enough to stand a spoon in—with homegrown cacao that rivals Barcelona’s best.

Read Robyn's full article HERE...

Atlantis Resort Newsletter...

Nudibranch Hunters

They might not be the biggest or fastest animals in our Seas and Oceans, but Nudibranchs are pretty high on most divers' lists of things to see. Their amazing patterns, colors and behaviour have fascinated many marine life enthusiasts.

This is just one of the great stories in Atlantic Dive Resort's latest newsletter.

To read more, go HERE...

TripAdvisor Declares Boracay "Top Asia Beach & Sun Destination"!

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TripAdvisor has made Boracay tropical island, Philippines, Asia's top beach and sun destination!
At only 4.5 miles long, Boracay is small enough to navigate by rented bicycle or motorbike. But don't let its small size fool you—you'll have several excellent beaches to choose from.
Yapak Beach is known for beautiful white shells; White Beach has picture-perfect sunsets; and Balinghai Beach is a secluded spot, perfect for honeymooners.
As long as you visit during dry season, you'll agree this is one of the best beach destinations in the world
Read it all HERE

Boracay makes it to the Top Ten Beach Destinations in the World

Boracay makes it to the Top Ten Beach Destinations in the World, according to TripAdvisor.

Of course, we at Philippine Trails already know of this fantastic little island, and have visited it many times, so it's not news to us!

See the list HERE...

Consider the Philippines as an alternative to Thailand

The Foreign Office now advises against all but essential travel in Thailand.

"Change of travel advice for Thailand - 27 Apr 2010

We advise against all but essential travel to all parts of Thailand. This advice reflects our concern that violence could break out during the increasingly volatile political crisis.


The British Embassy extended its travel advice to advise against non- essential travel to all parts of Thailand. This advice reflects our concern that violence could break out during the increasingly volatile political crisis."

The Philippines has so many beautiful unspoilt beaches, it's perhaps difficult to know which to visit first. Few beaches are commercialised, and most are quiet, still waiting to be discovered by the tourist "masses".

There are numerous islands where you can still find solitude whilst enjoying the soft sand and crystal clear, warm waters.

Even the islands that have already been popularised, like Boracay, and Mindoro, are still relatively quiet compared to the overcrowded beaches you find in many countries where tourism has been a long-standing part of the economy.

In the Philippines, the tourist industry is still relatively new, and for many, that's the main reason why the country has such an appeal.

How the Philippines has remained undiscovered for so long, is a mystery, but it, and it's people deserve to be seen and enjoyed, and nowhere more deserves the prosperity that tourism can bring.

Take a holiday with a difference on a small ship cruise

Looking for something a bit different for your next holiday?

Whether it’s a hotel barge along a French canal, a coastal cruise in the tropical Pacific, an expedition journey around the Galapagos, a river cruise along the Danube or a Mediterranean sailing voyage, you’ll find something to suit with our small ship cruise options.

With a range of ships no bigger than 150 cabins and destinations from all over the world to choose from, we provide cruise options that others just can’t match.

To get started, go to our website page...

New Species of Giant Lizard Discovered in the Philippines.

A new species of giant lizard has been discovered in the Philippines.

The 2m-long reptile is a monitor lizard, the group to which the world's longest and largest lizards belong.

The monitor, described as spectacular by the scientists who found it, lives in forests covering the Sierra Madre mountains in the north of the country.

The striking reptile has bright yellow, blue and green skin, and survives on a diet of just fruit, yet until now it has escaped the eyes of biologists.

"It is an incredible animal," says Dr Rafe Brown, one of the scientists who describe the new lizard in the journal Biology Letters.
In the journal, the researchers describe how rare it is to find such a large terrestrial animal new to science.

The new species, which is called Varanus bitatawa, is thought to survive on a diet of fruit, making it one of just three species of fruit-eating monitor lizards in the world.

Full Story Here...

Marvellous Mayhem to be found in Manila

Piers Kelly writes a nice pice about the Philippines capital in Abu Dhabi's "The National":

Why Manila?

Ever since Southeast Asia made it onto the tourist map, travellers have been drawn to such cities as Singapore, Hanoi and Bangkok. The fact that Manila is only just beginning to register on the hip list is something of a mystery. After all, the flamboyant metropolis has just about everything you could dream of. Luxury hotels of international repute, groovy nightlife, top restaurants and sprawling markets showcase the cultural diversity of the Philippines’ 7,000-odd islands.

Read the full article...

Another Atlantis Resort Newsletter

Atlantis Resorts have just released their latest Newsletter.

Our picture shows Lucy, from Philippine Trails, at the Atlantis Resort in Puerto Galera, last year.

Take a look at the Newsletter here...

Southeast Asia's "Most Misunderstood Cuisine".

The Philippines, home to Southeast Asia's most overlooked cuisine, has been influenced by many cultures to create unique and exciting dining experience.

(Photo by David Hagerman)

Robyn Eckhardt, of the Wall Street Journal, explains that he's returned to the city of Manila many times, just for the food.

"The cuisine varies widely region to region, showing Chinese, Malay, Spanish and American influences. Over the centuries, Filipinos have combined flavors introduced by foreign traders, colonizers and occupiers with local ingredients and cooking techniques to create something unique and exciting."

He goes on to give an insider's guide. Read it all HERE...

Subic Bay Sailing Season About to Kick-Off...

It will be a sizzling long hot summer at the Subic Bay Freeport as sailing enthusiasts set a series of sailing tournaments in its tranquil waters.

The sailing season kicks off on February 20-22 for the 210-nautical mile Subic to Boracay Regatta, one of the country’s longest and most challenging inter-island races.

Read the full article...

Visit Subic Bay for Holidays, watersports, diving, trekking, and much more besides.

Latest Atlantis Resort Newsletter

Yet another Atlantis Newsletter hot off the "press"!

Our picture shows Lucy, from Philippine Trails at the Atlantis Resort, Puerto Galera, last year.

Take a look at the Newsletter here...

Fred Olsen Passengers Raised £42,282 for Manila

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and its passengers have raised a total of £42,282 for victims of the flooding that affected the Philippine capital city, Manila, last autumn.

All the money was sent to the company’s office in Manila for distribution amongst families of Fred. Olsen crew members, many of whom lost everything in the devastating floods.

Read about it HERE...

Philippine sites impress British birdwatchers

LED by two British Members of Parliament, a birdwatching delegation from the United Kingdom visited the Philippines recently and vowed to return with more of their colleagues, the Tourism Department said Wednesday.

Renowned birders Kenneth Clarke QC, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, and Mark Pritchard, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group, visited the Nabasan Trail and Naval Magazine Trail in Subic and the Candaba Swamp and Wildlife Reserve in Pampanga, where they saw 80 birds of which 19 are endemic to the Philippines, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said.

“We have such a strong birdwatching market in the UK that even esteemed birders from its Parliament are raring to see our endemic species,” he said.

Full story from Manila Standard Today - HERE

The Philippines - a Holiday Destination on the UP!

The Philippines had twice as many tourists in the first half of 2009 than in whole of 2001.

The country can thank President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for taking an almost inordinate pride in the growth of the tourism industry. She has always believed that tourism is a major creator of jobs and livelihood opportunities.

Read more from the Philippine Information Agency HERE...