...the NYT's Places to Go in 2013

PH listed in NY Times’ ‘Places to Go in 2013’

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

01/12/2013

 

 

MANILA – Its white sand beaches and pristine reefs have made the Philippines one of the top tourist destinations for 2013.

 

In an article in the New York Times, the Philippines is ranked No. 17 among the “46 Places to Go in 2013.”

El Nido, Palawan

“Idyllic white sand beaches, secluded, little-known surf towns, and pristine reefs are among the natural draws of this country made up of over 7,000 tropical islands,” New York Times travel writer Ondine Cohane said.

Cohane said the Philippines has much more to offer aside from Boracay.

Among the must see destinations, she said, are the Dedon Island resort on Siargao and the private island resort of El Nido in Palawan.

“Although the Philippines has been subject to travel advisories in the past, they mostly focus on Mindanao in the south. For extra security, outfitters like Asian expert Remote Lands organize private transfers and local guides,” said Cohane.

At the top of New York Times’ ‘Places to Go in 2013’ list is Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, followed by France's Marseille and Nicaragua.

...the world's most emotional societies

 

PH named 'most emotional society' in global list

By Kim Arveen Patria

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

22 November 2012

 

Pinoy fans show a variety of emotions during a football game in Manila. (File Photo by Marlo Cueto, NPPA Images)

 

 

It has been dubbed as a "bright spot" amid a global slowdown and a "rising tiger" in Southeast Asia, and now the Philippines is also deemed the best in a criteria money can't buy: emotions.

This, as the Philippines is named "most emotional society" in over 140 countries surveyed by U.S. pollster Gallup, a Businessweek report Wednesday said.

Asked questions aimed at determining recently felt emotions, 60 percent of Filipino respondents answered "yes."

But that doesn't necessarily make most Pinoys drama queens, as it could also easily mean that they are the clowns.

Among the questions in the Gallup survey, Businessweek said, are: "Did you feel well rested yesterday? Were you treated with respect all day yesterday? Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday?"
 

Respondents were also asked if they experienced enjoyment, physical pain, worry, sadness, stress or anger "during a lot" of the previous day.

Next to the Philippines in terms of feelings are El Salvador, where 57 percent admit to expriencing a lot of emotions; Bahrain, 56 percent; and Oman, 55 percent.

Tied at 55 percent "yes" are Chile, Costa Rica, Guatamala, Bolivia, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Peru, Nicaragua and the U.S.

Singapore, meanwhile, emerged as the "most emotionless" society with only 36 percent of respondents saying they experienced a lot of feelings in the previous day.

It was followed by Georgia and Lithuania at 37 percent; and Russia, Madagascar, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazahkstan, Nepal and Kyrgystan, which are tied at 38 percent.

Earlier this year, the Philippines figured in the group of countries deemed "happy" in a separate global survey dubbed the "Happy Planet Index."

The country ranked 25th in the latest Happy Planet list, dropping from being 14th in 2009, with an index score of 52.4.

Meanwhile, official government measure of happiness was pegged at 66.2 index points in 2010, down from 67.24 in 2008.

Pinoys are happiest in the areas of education, love life, friends, family and work, data from the National Statistical Coordination Board showed.

However, Filipinos think that the "most important" sources of happiness are family, health, religion or spiritual work, work as well as peace and security.

...the Global Gender Gap ranking

Phl leads Asian countries in Global Gender Gap Report   By Jovan Cerda The Philippine Star Updated October 24, 2012

Zoom MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines remained as the top Asian country in ensuring that men and women have equal access to rights and privileges, including economic opportunities, a report released Wednesday by the World Economic Forum showed. The country remained at the 8th spot of the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index 2012, which ranks countries based on their ability to close the gender gap in healthcare, education, political participation and economic equality. "The Philippines remains the highest-ranking country from Asia in the Index. It ranks 1st on both education and health and is also among the top 20 on economic participation and political empowerment. The Philippines is the only country in Asia this year to have closed the gender gap in both education and health," the report said. It added that the country also performs in the top 10 of indicators that include legislators, senior officials and managers, literacy rate, enrolment in secondary education and years with female head of state. The Philippines has already elected two women presidents which include Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In August, President Benigno S. Aquino III appointed Maria Lourdes Sereno chief justice of the Supreme Court, the first female to hold the position. Ranked ahead of the Philippines are Iceland (1st), Finland (2nd), Norway (3rd), Sweden (4th), Ireland(5), New Zealand (6th) and Denmark (7th), while Nicaragua (9th) and Switzerland (10th) rounded out the top 10. Among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines is followed by Singapore (55th), Thailand (65th), Vietnam (66th), Brunei Darussalam (75th), Indonesia (97th), Malaysia (100th) and Cambodia (103rd). Myanmar and Laos are not included in the list. Among economic powerhouses, the United States is ranked 22nd, China is 69th and Japan is 101st. Stuck at the bottom of the list are Saudi Arabia (131st), Syria (132nd), Chad (133rd), Pakistan (134th) and Yemen (135th). The report said there is a strong correlation between countries at the top of the index and the countries that are most economically competitive. “The key for the future of any country and any institution is the capability to attract the best talents,” said Klaus Schwab, WEF founder and executive chairman. “In the future, talent will be more important than capital or anything else. To develop the gender dimension is not just a question of equality; it is the entry card to succeed and prosper in an ever more competitive world,” he added.

Pinay crowned Miss Teen Universe 1st runner-up

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

05/01/2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines' representative to the international Teen Universe pageant was crowned first runner-up at the contest's recently held coronation night in Managua, Nicaragua.

 

Clarisse Obia, first runner-up in the 2012 Teen Universe pageant

Clarisse Marie Obia, 19, won first runner-up during the coronation night at the Hall of the Ruben Dario National Theater on April 30, besting hopefuls from Costa Rica, Canada, Margarita Island, and Brazil, who were also among the top six finalists.

Emerging as the 2012 Teen Universe titlist is Panama's Sasha Nikyta Kam.

Obia, who is a student from Lyceum of the Philippines University, was chosen by the Bb. Unibersidad organization to represent the country after earning a top ten spot in its inaugural pageant last year.

Born in Biñan, Laguna, Obia wore a national costume by designer Kim Gan in the international contest in Nicaragua.

During the send-off gathering for Obia in April, the the 5-foot-6 beauty said she plans to represent the Philippines by highlighting Filipino hospitality.

“I’ll just show how much I love my country, and I’ll prove to them that it really is more fun in the Philippines.

I’ll show them how hospitable Filipinos are, and that there are many great things about the Philippines, the places, the food, and us Filipinos ourselves,” she said at the time.

“I’m pressured and I’ve gone into extensive training, so hopefully, with the support of my family and my Bb. Unibersidad family, I can bring home a crown,” she added.

The Bb. Unibersidad organization hopes to follow up Obia’s success as it gears up to crown her successor.
The 2012 Bb. Unibersidad Pageant will see 35 university hopefuls vying to represent the Philippines in the next international Teen Universe competition.

The coronation night for the 2012 Bb. Unibersidad Pageant will be held on May 18 at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

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Palawan isle named 'stylish' private retreat by UK newspaper

by Patrick Camara Ropeta,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

11/24/2011

 

LONDON - Ariara island in Palawan has been named one of the world’s top private island retreats by The Sunday Times newspaper in Britain.

 

 

 

In a travel feature entitled "Who needs neighbors?", writer Susan D’Arcy described the Philippine island as "a stylish retreat for people who don't do hotels".

Ariara is among the Calamian group of islands in the Palawan region, located 160 miles southwest of Manila, and four hours away from Hong Kong.

The private island was bought and developed by British couple Charles and Carrie McCulloch, and is now available for travellers who seek the "sun, sea and sand experience" with privacy and luxury.

Buildings on the island were designed by Filipino architect Jorge Yulo, known for his designs of modern high-end spaces for both commercial and private clients.

Guests stay at fully-equipped beach cottages and jungle villas, with access to the entire 125 acres of private grounds which includes beaches, an infinity pool, dining facilities, numerous social areas, and stretches of unspoilt natural resources.

A private chef and a small army of staff look after each guest with the typically warm Filipino hospitality known all over the world.

The island offers peaceful relaxation alongside a host of activities, from water sports and fishing to sailing and scuba diving. Guests also have access to a private boat, which can be used to explore nearby islands, world-class diving sites, and local villages.

Other private islands on The Sunday Times list include Lankayan in Borneo, Taprobane in Sri Lanka, Philipkutty’s Farm in India, Quilalea in Mozambique, Boca Brava in Panama, Eilean Shona in Scotland, Jicaro in Nicaragua, Henriksholm in Sweden, and Sovalye in Turkey.

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