...the World's best beach hotels

World's best beach hotels

By Stirling Kelso

Travel+Leisur

26 February 2013 

 

How to explain the difference a beachfront hotel makes? “More than unobstructed views, it’s about the freedom of not having to look both ways to cross the street before feeling sand between your toes,” says Matt Thomson, founder of Wavecation.com, a surfing-focused vacation rental company.

That’s the thrilling sense of liberation that comes with a stay at beachfront hotel properties like Lizard Island Resort in Australia, where your suite’s private terrace overlooks the Great Barrier Reef.

Travel + Leisure readers were so taken that they voted Lizard Island Resort the No. 3 best beach hotel in the world, as part of our annual World’s Best survey. The top-scoring hotels and resorts all offer a captivating beach setting, and their interiors range from minimalist to cozy and traditional.

 

No. 1 Southern Ocean Lodge,

Kangaroo Island, Australia

 

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Southern Ocean Lodge)

Contemporary in design and green in attitude, this lodge sits on a wildlife-rich island 30 minutes from Adelaide. Each of the 21 suites offers limestone floors, an outdoor terrace, and works by local artisans. (Air conditioning is unnecessary; the property was constructed to take advantage of natural weather patterns.) For a spectacular ocean view from a hand-carved granite bath, book the glass-walled Osprey Pavilion suite, which also features a private plunge spa and sunken lounge.
 

No. 2 Discovery Shores Boracay,

Boracay, Philippines

 

 

 

(Photo: Courtesy of Discovery Shores)

The 2 1/2-mile stretch known as White Beach is often singled out for having the softest sand in the world—and it’s the setting for this resort and its 88 suites (some with private Jacuzzis). The water’s fine, whether you want to take a dip in the infinity pool or Jet Ski on the Sibuyan Sea. For people-watching, head to the Sandbar, where bartenders stir up lychee- and mango-infused mojitos.

 

No. 3 Lizard Island Resort,

Great Barrier Reef, Australia


(Photo: Courtesy of Lizard Island Resort)


With 24 beaches fringing the Great Barrier Reef and accommodations for just 40 couples, Lizard Island is in a category all its own. Open-plan suites are done in royal blue, turquoise, and stark white to mimic the Coral Sea below, with hammocks and decks discreetly hidden from view. Count on sunset cruises, torchlit beach dinners, and complimentary gourmet picnic baskets. Book an Anchor Bay Suite for a direct pathway to the beach and daybed sunbathing from a personal veranda.

 

 

No. 4 Hotel Santa Caterina,

Amalfi, Italy



(Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Santa Caterina)


Now in its fourth generation of Gambardella family management, this 1904 looker still reigns in Belle Époque splendor. Rooms are spread across the main building, two villas, and a triplet of honeymoon cottages and decorated with local antiques. An elevator descends to a private beach, saltwater pool, fitness center, and thatched-roof pizzeria and fish grill. As you stroll through the secluded terraced gardens and citrus orchards, it’s obvious why Liz Taylor and Richard Burton chose to hide out here.

 

 

No. 5 Live Aqua,

Cancún, Mexico

(Photo: Courtesy of Live Aqua Cancun)


For those seeking a calmer Cancún all-inclusive experience, Live Aqua delivers. An outdoor contemplation area uses eucalyptus and lavender aromatherapy to help you de-stress during the day, while mini-Japanese sand garden boxes are left in the room at turndown. All 371 rooms are done in neutral tones and natural materials, so your eyes are drawn straight to the hotel’s eight varying-temperature swimming pools. Book a corner suite for your own private Jacuzzi.

 

 

No. 6 Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort,

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

(Photo: Courtesy of Grand Velas)


Located inside an 80-acre mangrove and jungle reserve, this all-inclusive resort spreads across a white-sand beach and has an exotic, faraway feel even though it’s within an easy drive of Playa del Carmen. The resort features both adult-only and family areas, and the 89,000-square-foot spa is one of Mexico’s largest, with 40 treatment rooms, some with hydromassage tubs. After a day of pampering, dine at one of eight restaurants, including Sen Lin for Asian fusion and Cocina de Autor for molecular Mexican Caribbean cuisine.

 

 

No. 7 Four Seasons Resort,

Hualalai, Big Island, Hawaii


,(Photo: Don Riddle / Courtesy of Four Seasons)


All 228 rooms at this gorgeous, isolated resort are situated in low-rise bungalows with ocean views. The grounds border the dramatic volcanic rock coast with seawater and freshwater swimming pools; an open-air spa teems with tropical vegetation; and yoga, personal training, and a full menu of fitness classes are offered daily. The private 7,100-square-foot oceanfront Jack Nicklaus signature golf course is carved into the underlying black lava, which serves as a occasional bunker.



No. 8 Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora,
Bora-Bora, French Polynesia

,(Photo: John Sinal / Courtesy of Four Seasons)


Although overwater bungalows are the most enticing lodgings at the Four Seasons, the hotel has 107 different rooms scattered along the beachside and lagoon of its private motu (small islet). Walls are made of volcanic stone, and thatched-roofed spaces are decorated with teak and merbau-timber furnishings. All have extraordinary views over the turquoise-blue, coral-filled South Pacific, and some offer a glimpse of the majestic black-rock peaks of Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia.


No. 9 Palazzo Avino,
Ravello, Italy



(Photo: Genivs Loci)


From the gym to the underwater window in the heated pool, sea views abound at this ornate 12th-century palazzo along the Amalfi Coast (formerly known as Palazzo Sasso). For the finest panoramas, head to the rooftop solarium with its twin Jacuzzis. The rooms are layered in 17th- through 19th-century antiques, Vietri tile floors, and Frette and Bulgari appointments. Chef Pino Lavarra’s eclectic/nouvelle-Italian cuisine has garnered two Michelin stars for Rossellinis Restaurant (open April-October).


 No. 10 Lodge at Doonbeg,
County Clare, Ireland


(Photo: Patrick O'Brien, Kiawah Partners)


This grand manor is hidden along the Emerald Isle’s remote and rugged Atlantic shores. Inside, a peat-log fireplace illuminates the wood-beamed lobby; goose-feather duvets adorn guest beds; and teapots of piping Irish Breakfast tea are served each morning. Staff will arrange outings to County Clare attractions, from the Cliffs of Moher to St. Tola Goat Cheese farm and the world-renowned Burren Smokehouse. Fancy something more restful? Go for a seaweed scrub at the Clodagh-designed White Horse Spa.

 

...the PH mega-casino

Mega-casino set to open in PH next month

 

Agence France-Presse

02/06/2013

 

 

MANILA - A $4 billion mega-casino complex is set to open in the Philippines in mid-March when the first of four franchise-holders starts commercial operations, the parent firm said in a disclosure released Wednesday.

 

 

 

The $1.2 billion Solaire Manila Resorts is one of four gaming operations licenced at Manila's bayside Entertainment City, a government project designed to compete with Macau, Las Vegas and Singapore as a gaming hub.

Boasting 500 hotel rooms set in modern resorts, Solaire will open its doors on March 16, parent company Bloomberry Resorts Corp. said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

"(We) confirm that (Bloomberry's) Solaire Manila Resorts and Casino has collected the top former operating officers of world-renowned casinos in Las Vegas and other parts of the world," it said in a letter to the exchange.

The February 5 letter, released by the bourse on Wednesday, said these personnel include around 400 Filipinos who have worked in gaming and hotels across the world.

Solaire plans to add 300 more hotel rooms after two years, said Bloomberry, a listed firm controlled by Philippine port tycoon Enrique Razon.

Two other franchise-holders -- one involving Australian billionaire James Packer and Macau gaming tycoon Lawrence Ho as shareholders and another with Japanese gambling tycoon Kazuo Okada -- are also building at the complex.

The 100-hectare (247-acre) Entertainment City, a project of the state-owned gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., required each of the franchise-holders to invest at least $1 billion.

A unit of global leisure and entertainment group Genting Hong Kong Ltd. is a key investor in the fourth franchise.

Bloomberry said it could not confirm a local news report that the entire Entertainment City project would generate annual revenues of at least $10 billion by 2017, putting it among the world's gaming big leagues.

Spokesmen for the regulator could not be reached for comment on Wednesday, while Solaire has not responded to AFP's requests for an interview.

 

...the 2013 Hottest Destination

Major int’l publications agree Philippines is ‘hottest’ destination

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Sunday, January 13th, 2013

 

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines is at it again.

After the successful “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism campaign, which observes its first anniversary on Saturday, two more respected international publications have included the country on their list of the top destinations in the world for 2013.

New York-based Travel+Leisure Magazine, the rival of Condé Nast Traveler, named the Philippines as one of the 13 “Hottest Travel Destinations of 2013” in its January issue.

On Friday, The New York Times also placed the country at number 17 on its list of “46 Places to Go in 2013,” ahead of Bangkok, Paris and Casablanca.

“A surfing and beach destination goes luxe … 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,” The New York Times said.

“Now in addition to the more upscale choices cropping up in former backpacking enclaves like Boracay, there is a new generation of luxury hotels opening even further afield,” it added.

The paper noted the new Dedon Island resort on Siargao, adding that it was “close to one of the world’s best surf breaks, Cloud 9, (of which famous American surfer Kelly Slater is a fan), and has an outdoor cinema along with spa and paddle board classes.”

“And the private island resort of El Nido Pangulasian opens this month in the Unesco biosphere of Palawan, right by some of the world’s most pristine diving spots,” it added.

The New York Times said that while 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,” the paper said.

Travel+Leisure Magazine, which has 4.8 million readers, noted that while there were safety concerns before about the Philippines, it was now “safe to visit once again.”

“Two countries written off in recent years—Zambia and the Philippines—are safe to visit once again, and thriving with new safari camps and island thatched-roof villas,” Travel+Leisure said.

“The archipelago of Palawan, a Unesco biosphere reserve in the Philippines, just added a resort with a scuba center; hop a two-hour flight from Hong Kong, and you’ll soon be diving with the sea turtles,” it added.

The magazine particularly mentioned El Nido Pangulasian Island and the 125-acre private island of Ariara in Palawan, and the Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa in Panglao, Bohol.

“Boracay hogs the spotlight, but there are thousands of other islands to lure beach lovers,” Travel+Leisure added.

Serious player

Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said endorsement from these top publications showed that the Philippines was now “a serious player” in global tourism.

“This is a very good development for our country. It is a very concrete proof that foreigners now have a high awareness and appreciation of the great travel potentials of the Philippines,” Bengzon said.

“It shows that we are now a serious player,” he added.

Bengzon said the awareness of foreigners about the country was heightened by the launching of the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign in January last year.

“We’ve advertised and conducted our marketing campaign in all our major markets like Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, India, Korea and China. And in 2013, we will be even more aggressive,” he said.

Bengzon said the Department of Tourism (DOT) expected the number of tourist arrivals for 2012 to reach 4.2 million to 4.3 million.

This is higher than the 3.9 million registered in 2011 but is lower than the 4.5-million target that the DOT set in 2012.

“There was a slowdown from our Chinese market but this is against picking. For 2013, we are targeting 5.5 million and we are very positive that we can reach that,” Bengzon said.

Very positive

“The feedback to [the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”] campaign has been very positive not just in terms of tourist arrivals but also in the response of the private sector, from the airlines, travel agents, the hotels and resorts. More hotels are opening this year,” he added.

The other places that made it to Travel+Leisure’s list were Bahia Ballena in Costa Rica, Basilicata in Italy, Puerto Rico, Minneapolis in the United States, Reunion, Nepal, Charlevoix in Quebec, Uco Valley in Argentina, Zambia, Amsterdam, Australia’s Gold Coast, and Marseilles.

The magazine said it initially considered “40-odd places” for its list of top destinations this year.

“To determine which destinations … are coming up on the radar, T+L asked safari experts and art dealers, cutting-edge chefs and even branding agencies where they’re seeing a new neighborhood emerge or wineries getting more acclaim,” Travel+Leisure said.

“What started with 40-odd places we distilled down to a baker’s dozen: the hottest travel destinations of 2013,” it added.

World’s 5th Best Hotel

In the same issue, the magazine also named the Discovery Shores Hotel in Boracay as the 5th Best Hotel in the World.

“Barefoot elegance is undoubtedly the vibe on this tiny island, where the 2 1/2-mile stretch known as White Beach is often singled out for being the softest in the world,” the magazine said.

It said that Discovery Shores’ 88 spacious suites all have large glass walls that look toward a scenic rock garden, “but chances are you’ll spend more time by the water.”

“Take a dip in the infinity pool, or jet-ski on the crystalline sea. For people-watching, head to The Sandbar, where they stir up delicious mojitos, infused with local flavors like lychee and mango,” Travel+Leisure said.

“Once you’re sufficiently refueled, karaoke your heart out, with over 1,000 songs (mostly in English) to choose from at the resort’s recreation lounge,” it added.

The endorsement from Travel+Leisure came as the UK edition of its competitor, Condé Nast Traveller Magazine, also named the Philippines as one of the top 10 hottest new travel destinations for 2013.

“For travelers willing to go the extra thousand miles for a deserted beach, the Philippines has around 7,000 of the most heavenly islands in the world. It’s still not the most obvious beach-holiday destination, but it soon will be,” Condé Nast Traveller said.

Sorry, Maldives

“Sorry, Maldives… We love you, but we’ve got a new flame,” it added.

The magazine said the Philippines was becoming particularly popular among serious divers, who visit for “the incredible underwater life, unspoilt coral gardens with rainbow-bright fish, green sea turtles and dugongs.”

“In Bicol you can swim with the biggest fish in the world, the whale shark. While fish-fans of a different nature can go deep-sea fishing in one of the deepest trenches in the oceans, not far from the little-known island of Siargao,” the magazine said.

“The archipelago of Palawan ticks all the boxes: palm-fringed white-powder beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, natural lagoons for wild swimming on Miniloc Island—all of it protected by Unesco,” it added.

Condé Nast said Bacuit Bay in Palawan was something like Halong Bay in Vietnam, “only without all the tourists—for the time being, at least.”

“There are just a handful of resorts, which are tasteful and deliberately low-key. Two of the newest are Ariara Island and El Nido Pangulasian Island, a private-island resort with palm-thatched villas, a spa, its own dive center and sea views to melt the heart,” the magazine said.

Palawan in top 10

“Another super-stylish new opening is Dedon Island, on Siargao; it’s owned and designed by contemporary furniture brand Dedon. And a perennial favorite is Amanpulo, yet another high-design private-island hotel on Pamalican Island,” it added.

In October, Lonely Planet, reputedly the largest travel guidebook and digital media publisher in the world, also named Palawan among the top 10 best regions to visit in the world for 2013.

Lonely Planet said Palawan was “the ultimate archipelago for adventurers” and best for being “off the beaten track,” adventure and culture.

“Palawan incorporates thousands of sparkling, rugged islands and is fringed by 2000 km of pristine coastline. So far, Palawan’s natural marvels have only been sampled by plucky backpackers. Not for much longer,” Lonely Planet said.

“The trail these pioneers have blazed is set to explode, with regional airlines waking up to Palawan’s potential and clambering to schedule direct flights to the capital,” it said.

“Throw in the mushrooming growth of style-conscious boutique hotels normally found in places like Ko Samui or Bali, and you can feel that Palawan is ready to hit the big-time in 2013,” Lonely Planet added.

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.

---

...the most tweeted airline in the world

Cebu Pacific: 'We're 2nd most tweeted airline in the world'

GMA News
22 September 2011


Philippine air carrier Cebu Pacific claimed Thursday to be the world's second most tweeted airline in August 2011.

Cebu Pacific said this was the finding from a monthly study from Eezeer Data Lab, a Twitter analytic products company.

“Cebu Pacific remains innovative in using social networking sites to share our culture as an airline to our fans and followers, and boost travel with our trademark low fares," said Cebu Pacific VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog on the company's website.

“We owe this increase in public tweets to @cebupacificair to our Twitter promos and games. We currently have a Where in the World is Ceb promo that is linked to a CEB Facebook app. There, we give fans the chance to win four tickets to any CEB destination they want," she added.

Citing Eezeer's findings, Cebu Pacific said its Twitter account received almost 12,000 public tweets for August, ranking second in the Airline Listening Champion category.

"Approximately 186 airlines tweet, but only 81 of them are actively tweeting," it said.

Cebu Pacific's Twitter account is http://twitter.com/cebupacificair.

The carrier cited the study findings that showed Delta Air received more than 27,000 public tweets, while it received close to 12,000 tweets. JetBlue ranked third with almost 9,000 public tweets.

Cebu Pacific also said it was cited in the report with a 106.7 global satisfaction rate. A score of 100 indicates average consumer satisfaction.

Seat sale

Cebu Pacific said it will hold a seat sale as low as P1 from September 23 to 25, 2011 or until seats last.

For travel from November 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012, passengers can buy P1 seats from Manila to Laoag; from Cebu to Bacolod, Clark, Dumaguete, Iloilo; from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi; and, from Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo or Davao.

Cebu Pacific also highlights local destinations such as Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran from Manila, and Davao from Cebu with seat sale fares as low as P388, for travel from November 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

P688 seats are also available for flights from Manila to Davao, General Santos, Dipolog, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro.

Popular international destinations are up for grabs, for travel from December 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012.

Passengers can buy P488 seats from Clark to Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore, and P888 seats from Clark to Bangkok, and from Cebu to Hong Kong, Singapore, Incheon and Busan. — TJD, GMA News

...the fitness guru

Fil-Am fitness guru recognized as Trainer of the Year

By Joseph Pimentel,

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

03/26/2011

 

WHITTIER, California - Michael Seril’s booming voice could be heard from outside.

He was yelling, “Let’s go, let’s go…” and the sign on the door said it all. “Motivated People Only”.

Seril is a fitness coach and owns his own studio. He said, “I’ll be honest with you. Some people don’t like that sign but they are not here and you know what? We don’t want them here.”

While most people sleep in on a Saturday, the dedicated are up early to exercise with the multi-award winning Filipino fitness guru.

Seril, a national personal trainer of the year, is known for helping his clients achieve their goals, whether it’s to lose weight or stay fit. But it’s his work in his community that he’s proudest of.


Seril has been recognized by the President of the United States for his community work in 2007. Last year, he received the Jefferson Award for public service for helping fight childhood obesity.

Last year, his non-profit organization “Excellence Through Exercise Foundation” has helped more than 2,000 children.

Seril said, “Children are becoming obese at a very young age and a part of me wanted to create something to alleviate that problem or slow the process down.”

The Dodgers baseball team and the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team have donated to his cause.

“It’s not just the awards but the message that I’m putting out there,” he added.

Aside from his goal to helping fight childhood obesity, he wants to help educate the members of the Filipino community. He knows that Filipinos are known as sedentary and that heart disease is the number one cause of death among Fil-Ams.

He urged members of the community to take a proactive step in maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
“It’s never too late. You can start at anytime. Start walking.”

...the cartoonist

Cartoon Network seeks Pinoy animators

BusinessWorld Online
14 March 2011

 

Not many people know that the creator of the widely popular cartoon Johnny Bravo is a Filipino-American animator named Efrem Giovanni "Van" Bravo Partible.

Mr. Partible created the character Johnny Bravo as part of his 1993 senior thesis animation project called Mess O’Blues for his Studio Arts degree at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California.

After Hanna-Barbera Cartoons saw Mr. Partible’s project, they asked him to do a pitch for a seven-minute cartoon based on Mess O’Blues. He then shortened his project, leading to the creation of a character named Johnny Bravo -- a muscular guy with a James Dean pompadour and a voice like Elvis Presley.

Johnny Bravo was then featured as part of a new animation showcase called World Premiere Toons produced for cable channel Cartoon Network in 1995.

The popularity of the short animated feature led Cartoon Network to commission a full series. Johnny Bravo, the animated series, debuted on Cartoon Network in 1997, and was renewed for multiple seasons until it finally ended its official run in 2004.

LOOKING FOR TALENT

Impressed with the success of Johnny Bravo, and the talent of Mr. Partible, Cartoon Network executives visited the Philippines last week to scout for Pinoy animators, writers and producers who could help develop new projects for the cable channel.

Silas Hickey, Cartoon Network’s creative director for Asia-Pacific animation development told Manila-based reporters that he is on the lookout for the "next Van."

"We at Cartoon Network have always known about the talent that Filipino animators have. But instead of just letting them animate the characters that we already have, we have to find talented animators who can come up with compelling characters that we can feature on Cartoon Network," Mr. Hickey said in an interview.

Based on the report by the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc., there are about 100 animation studios in the Philippines employing about 10,000 animators, producers, writers, and directors, among others.

The animation industry in the Philippines posted total revenues of $110 million in 2008, growing from $70 million in 2006.

Mr. Hickey said Cartoon Network has worked with various Philippine-based animation studios for a variety of projects. "But this is the first time in our company’s history that we are considering to work with Filipino animators to develop a new show that we can produce for airing not only in Cartoon Network Asia, but for our other markets as well, like Europe," he said.

He explained that Cartoon Network has already conducted a similar project with Indian animators with positive results.

"We worked with Indian writers when we spoofed the Indian legendary tale Mahabharata," he said.

Mr. Hickey said developing new characters as created by local talents is part of Cartoon Network’s strategy to remain relevant in the region. "We believe that it is important to come up with characters that our audiences can relate with," he explained.

Mr. Hickey said Cartoon Network has received a huge number of entries from the Philippines when they conducted their pioneering original content development initiative called Short New Asian Pacific Cartoons or SNAPtoons last year.

"The numerous entries from the Philippines have proven to us that there is so much talent here, that is why I went here to check [the Philippine animation industry] out myself," he said.

Mr. Hickey had meetings with various animation studios in the country during his five-day stay until last Saturday. He explained that he will meet with Cartoon Network Asia executives based in Hong Kong to discuss which Philippine-based animation studios made the first cut.

A LONG PROCESS

He explained that the process of developing a new animated series will take "at least two years" from developing the characters, to the actual production.

Once the new animated series is ready, it will debut on Cartoon Network, which is aired in over 166 countries in 26 languages across 27 separate feeds, reaching nearly 265 million homes worldwide.

"We are open to any idea. Even if you think no one would ever, ever, ever let you make your character into a new show, we would like to see it," Mr. Hickey said. "Who knows? We might have the next Johnny Bravo on our hands." - Jeffrey O. Valisno

...the fashion dictator

Filipino fashion blogger dictates to world’s rich what to wear

Agence France-Presse
03/05/2011

MANILA, Philippines—The power to dictate what rich people in the First World should wear belongs to a 24-year-old Manila-based fashion blogger.

200,000 VISITORS DAILY. This undated handout photo shows blogger Bryan Yambao posing for a photo during fashion week in Paris. Tapping on a laptop from his Manila bedroom or out of his suitcase, the jetsetting 24-year-old’s online journal has 200,000-plus unique visitors daily, giving him awesome powers to trash or sell a product. AFP/Ingrid Go Chua

The sartorial sovereignty of Bryan Yambao, aka Bryanboy, emanates from his online journal at www.bryanboy.com, which delivers fresh, irreverent and witty critiques of the world’s newest trends on expensive clothing and accessories.

The site attracts more than 200,000 unique visitor hits a day, while nearly 52,000 people follow his Twitter stream, giving the jet-setting former Web designer awesome powers to thrash or promote a product.
The blog is also studded with money-spinning ads that would be the envy of fashion magazines that have only a small fraction of his readership. Not bad for one who spent his tween years reading Mommy’s magazines on the sly.

Industry heavyweight

Supermodel-thin and fond of wearing colorful hats, fur-collared cardigans and handbags, Yambao is now an industry heavyweight who hangs out with the likes of supermodel Naomi Campbell and designer Marc Jacobs.

Recent posts told of his labors to buy Prada’s red men’s wingtips (“It’s the shoe of the season, no doubt”) and how Hollywood stars Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher stole the thunder from fashion figures at a Sao Paulo show.

“I’ve heard several rumors that they were paid about half a million dollars to be here. Celebrities. They always f— up the whole experience,” Yambao ranted.

The blog is also as much a homage to the author as style, with photos of him in outrageous, gender-bending outfits.

‘Inflate my ego’

“Shower me with attention and inflate my ego. E-mail photos of your love and I’ll add you to my ever-growing collection. Be creative! Be spontaneous!” he wrote. Indeed, Yambao’s blog is peppered with photos of fans all over the world bearing notes on paper expressing their affection for him.

And the biggest fashion labels indeed do work super hard to inflate his ego, as evidenced by one of his latest posts for the current fashion week in Paris.

“I’m trying to enjoy the calm before my set of shows ... My invites are starting to pour in,” he gloated as he rattled off the names of international fashions houses begging for his presence in their shows.

“So far I’m confirmed at Isabel Marant, Mugler, Balmain, AF Vandevorst, Gareth Pugh, Rochas, Damir Doma, Chanel, etc. ... Can’t wait to receive more of my invitations!”

Dreams come true

Yambao obviously enjoys the adulation. “If you ask me, all of my dreams have already come true. What else can you ask for,” Yambao said in a speech at an independent fashion bloggers’ conference in New York late last year.

The traditional media also love him.

“Bringing androgyny and attitude to the blogosphere since 2004, Bryanboy’s reflections on fashion never fail to entertain,” Elle magazine wrote, in an excerpt posted in his blog.

“With his sharp wit and cheeky style choices, Manila-based blogger Bryanboy is on the brink of international stardom,” Teen Vogue wrote.

Yambao’s extraordinary online career began with him blogging about his foreign travels in 2004.

Jacobs’ discovery

But he had always been drawn to fashion, even as a 10-year-old studying at a strict Catholic school.

“I would steal my mom’s magazines and read them in school,” Yambao said in his New York speech last year. Yambao initially agreed to be interviewed by AFP but then did not reply to e-mailed questions.

From a puny readership of his friends and family, the blog took off in 2007 after his posts caught the eye of Jacobs, the influential American creative director of French design house Louis Vuitton.

“I discovered this sort of satirical little film that Bryanboy had done of me, and I was really amused by it. I started to look at the blog and, I thought, this guy is so into fashion,” Jacobs said in a clip posted on Yambao’s site.

Jacobs named an ostrich leather tote bag, BB, on his own 2008 fall collection, in the Filipino blogger’s honor.

“Love your passion for fashion,” the designer gushes in a post on Yambao’s site. “After all, where would designers be without enthusiasm like yours?”

Democratized industry

In 2009 Dolce and Gabbana put Yambao and other top bloggers on the front row at the Milan fashion week, beside traditional industry arbiters such as Vogue’s Anna Wintour and Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune.

Menkes, the doyenne of the fashion press, said bloggers had democratized an industry that had long been used to having everything dictated from the top down by the fashion houses.

“And then along comes Twitter and all of a sudden somebody walks out of a, say, Louis Vuitton show and says, ‘That show sucked. I hated it,’” she said in an interview posted online from last year’s Berlin’s fashion trade show.

“But that can go viral and other people can answer ... and suddenly you’re faced with three million people saying negative things. It’s pretty terrifying for these brand managers.”

Asian inspiration

Yambao, who had had his Facebook account filled up with a maximum 5,000 friends a long time ago, appears to revel in the irony of a Third-World blogger dictating to the rich what to wear.

“It did happen to me, you know, somebody from the boonies, in the Philippines,” he said in his New York speech.

One of Yambao’s friends from the Philippines, fashion reporter and blogger Ingrid Go-Chua, said his spectacular career in breaking through one of the world’s most exclusive industries was an inspiration across Asia.

“A lot of Asian people look up to him. He’s like a beacon of a person. In the Third World, you never thought that dreams would come true but he made them come true. He’s put the Philippines on the map,” she said.

...the wave rider

Filipina wakeboarders, American champs shine in CamSur

By Annelle S. Tayao
Philippine Daily Inquirer

03/01/2011

‘To have the whole spectrum of ages here is surreal,’ said overall champion Tom Fooshee of the US

THE WORLD’S top professional wakeboarders and wakeskaters were Bicol’s main attraction at the recent 2011 Ultimate Wake Championship (UWC) held at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC).

Pinoy pride—and girl power, too—were not missing, either, as Samantha Bermudez from Quezon City bested Germany’s Elisabeth Fuchs for the Pro Women Wakeboarding category, while Bicolana Tynna Rosero placed second for Pro Women Wakeskate.

The competition, an adrenaline-pumping showcase of wakeboard and wakeskate tricks, was the final leg of the 2010 World Wakeboard Association (WWA) Wake Park World Series and WWA Wakeboard World Series.

With the world’s most complete wake park facility as their playground, riders displayed their versatility in all three major wakeboarding disciplines: boat, cable and System 2.0 winch.

“This is the goal of the province—sports tourism,” said Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte. “We are proud to be hosting UWC for the third consecutive year.”

Outstanding riders included Tom Fooshee from the US, who won as UWC overall wakeboard champion, and bagged top places in the Obstacles Only and Pro Men wakeboard (boat and cable) categories; and Reed Hansen, USA, UWC overall wakeskate champion.

But it was UWC’s youngest rider, 13-year-old Daniel Grant, who became the crowd favorite after bagging top spot in the Pro Men wakeboard cable category, besting other more senior competitors. Grant also placed in the Obstacles Only and Pro Wakeskate Cable categories, taking home prize money worth $7,000.

“I know I landed my KGBs, S-mobes, Moby Dick 5s,” said Grant, describing his top wakeboard and wakeskate tricks.

KGBs and Moby Dick 5s are types of inverts or flips. With the S-mobe, a rider must extend his body upward, board above the head, without doing a complete flip.

“To have the whole spectrum of ages here is surreal,” said Fooshee.

“I just tried my best,” said Bermudez of her victory. “Coin toss lang ’yan eh, because during the run, a lot of people choke—nerves get to some people.”

Bermudez, 24, took up wakeboarding when she was 19, when friends invited her to try it in Lago de Oro in Batangas. She now teaches the sport, too, and will be representing the country under the wakeboarding category at the next Southeast Asian games.

“Wakeboarding is so progressive,” says Bermudez. “There’s no end to it. There’s always something to learn every time you ride.”