PHILTOA Launches the Country's Largest Tourism Expo

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If you've ever thought about taking a vacation and exploring the Philippines, now would be the best time to turn that idea into a reality.

 

It doesn't matter if you want a quiet retreat or a thrilling adventure; whether you're planning your honeymoon or just going out with friends, there is no shortage of options in the upcoming 23^rd Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) this coming August 10 to 12 at the SMX convention Center in Pasay City.

Now bigger than ever, the Philippine Travel Mart (PTM)—the longest-running travel trade show in the country—is set to showcase the Philippines in the upcoming Sale ng Bayan. Featuring heritage and eco-adventure tours from all over the Philippines, the 23^rd PTM is the result of various familiarization and exploration trips that bring new tour products into the market every year.

 

The annual event is organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), in cooperation with the Department of Tourism. With almost 250 exhibitors presenting their tour products through colorful pavilions and booths, the Sale ng Bayan will also launch“Philippine Island Fun Caravan Getaways”—joint group tours that cover various locations from all over the Philippines. These 4-day to 8-day tours pool local, balikbayan, and foreign tourists together to avail of special packages that would have otherwise cost a lot of money if done individually. Featured tours include the Batanes-Cagayan Northern-scape, Cordilleras Cultural Weekend Warrior Caravan,Central Visayas Backdoor tour, and the Tuna-T'Boli trail, among others.

 

“It has always been our goal to outdo ourselves every year,” says PHILTOA President Cesar Cruz, who is also the chairman of the upcoming PTM. “Innovation is key. We've been working closely with tour operators and government agencies alike to offer newer, better products yearly.”

 

Like most trade shows, the PTM will still feature classic destinations such as Bohol, Boracay, Cebu and Palawan. Also not to be missed are the individual tour packages that have anywhere from 70 to 80% discounted prices, such as “Kulinarya” (Binondo food trip for as low as P648), “Health and Wellness” (Tagaytay Wellness trip for as low as P2900), “Festivals” (Panagbenga trip for as low as P5500), and many more. Aside from the endless array of tour products in the country's biggest gathering of tour operators, the PTM will also provide informative seminars for students dubbed as Byahe-info. Also scheduled is an Eco Chorale Competition, a Folk Dance Competition, and even a Tourism Quiz Bee—ensuring educational activities for everyone in attendance.

 

It's more fun in the Philippines!

Kenny's Red Hot Roast: Wickedly Spicy, Deliciously Healthy!

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I love Kenny Rogers Roasters chicken. Kenny Rogers Roasters is a chicken restaurant that was founded by country musician Kenny Rogers and former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown, Jr., who had also owned Kentucky Fried Chicken from 1964 to 1971.  Kenny Rogers Roasters now operates primarily in Asia.
Kenny Rogers always use nothing but the freshest ingredients. seasoned and cooked to flavorful perfection.
The menu was originally centered on wood-fired rotisserie chicken. Roasted and Grilled, tender, flavorful and juicy and always deliciously healthy. By 1995 they added turkey, ribs, and various dishes to their menu.

And now, what are the new products and what are they made of? Hmmm... Red Hot Roast Chicken!!! Hot! Burns like Hell! Tastes like Heaven!!!

Red Hot Roast Chicken

A flavorful roast chicken made spicy by the addition of lots of chilies.

Spicy Chicken Burrito

The perfect light meal made with Kenny's Mexican rice and chunks of our Red Hot Roast Chicken mixed with tomato salsa and sliced cheese, all in a toasted flour tortilla. 

Served with creamy garlic sauce.

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Creamy Garlic Chicken Wrap

A refreshingly light meal made with Kenny's Red Hot Roast chicken mixed with shredded lettuce, cucumber slices, tomato salsa, and a creamy garlic yoghurt sauce.

Tex Mex Macaroni

Perfectly cooked macaroni in a meaty tomato sauce and creamy cheddar cheese.

Tomato Salsa

A flavorful blend of chopped tomatoes, garlic, and onion with cilantro.

Tropical Fruit Salad

Chunks of pineapple, melon, red apples, and 

honeydew (or green apple)tossed in light syrup.

Flour Tortilla

A lightly grilled soft flour tortilla.

Last Monday afternoon, I was so happy to meet new amazing people and friendly smart bloggers held at the Kenny Rogers , Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Makati City.  We sat together through the get together meeting  and they were all such a delight to be around all day. We had fun and informative discussions about --- food! We talked about these newest tender, juicy, spicy and flavorful chicken.

I've enjoyed this new offering of Kenny Rogers! Kenny's Red Hot Roast! Wickedly Spicy and Deliciously Healthy! It's so Hot but I really can"t stop myself getting hot with the hot roast chicken, pairing with Tex-Mex Macaroni, and grilled soft flour tortilla and I filled it with Tomato Salsa - so appetizing, so flavorful, tasty. We also tried the new Spicy Chicken Burrito and Creamy Garlic Chicken Wrap. Whoooh! Hot and Yummy really! Then I  cool down with Tropical Fruit Salad and Banana Langka Yoghurt ! 

 

Try it! Get hot and you"ll love it for sure! It's now available  to all Kenny Rogers stores nationwide. Check out more updates to Kenny Rogers Roasters . Kenny Rogers Roasters Philippines Facebook.
More photos in Kenny Rogers Roasters - Enjoying Wonderful World facebook.

World Vision Launches ‘Child Health Now’ In Congress

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World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. , an international child-focused organization will be launching the Child Health Now (CHN), a global campaign calling for the improvement of support systems that promote maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) to reduce preventable deaths of Filipino children aged under five (5).

Through the support of Congressman Lorenzo R. Tanada III, the campaign launching ceremony will be held at the North Wing Lobby of the House of Representatives on July 31, 2012 (Tuesday), from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.

The launch will be attended by guest lawmakers from Congress, distinguished Executives from the National and Local Government, Officials from the various Health sectors, representatives from child-focused committees in Congress, non-government and bilateral agencies, celebrity advocates for children and the media.

Almost 9 million children under age of five, die every year which is equivalent to one child dying every 3 seconds from preventable causes.  In the Philippines 34 out of 1,000 children born will not reach their 5^th birthday due to easily preventable causes like pneumonia, diarrhea, malnutrition and lack of access to quality health care.

One-third of these children could be saved with inexpensive, easy and effective solutions.  Maternal deaths have also increased from 162 to 221 per 100,000 live births between 2006 and 2010.  This means that an estimated 11 women die each day from highly preventable complications arising from pregnancy and childbirth.

The Child Health Now Campaign draws upon multi-sectoral partnerships to influence policies, programming, and implementation of health initiatives that prioritize maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (MNCHN).

The campaign specifically calls on the national government to increase its budget allocation for MNCHN, from 4.2 percent to 10 percent.  Similarly, it also pushes for the concerned lawmakers in Congress to allot 10 percent of their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to programs, projects, and advocacy works that intentionally supports and invests on child health.

It is also a paramount concern of the campaign that participatory budgeting among health officials and service providers be strengthened in order to uphold child health support.  Child Health Now Campaign further calls on Local Government Units in project areas to prioritize and include programs and projects on maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition in their Local Development Plan and Budget.

Google Doodle: London 2012 Artistic Gymnastics Men's Rings

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London 2012: Olympic Doodle No. 5 presents "Men's Rings" (July 31st, 2012). The doodle shows a strong athlete at the rings.   

The doodle shows a strong athlete at the rings. The term Artistic Gymnastics was first used in the 19th century. Rings are one of 14 disciplines of Artistic Gymnastics. This year started 98 men and 98 women in 14 events.

The latest doodle is dedicated to Rings Gymnastics, a discipline only for men as it requires tremendous strength. It is the first doodle of the London 2012 with a man.

The artistic gymnastic medal event was scheduled for Monday and it was defending champions China who won the gold medal. Earlier, Great Britain finished second and took Silver while Ukraine finished with the bronze medal.

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000105 EndHTML:0000002726 StartFragment:0000002275 EndFragment:0000002690 London 2012: Olympic Doodle No. 5

8th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Awards 2012

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The winners of the 2012 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival were announced July 29, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Mes de Guzman‘s “Diablo” and Lawrence Fajardo‘s “Posas” won Best Film in the New Breed and Director’s Showcase categories, respectively

In the  Director's Showcase category, a prize called Best Ensemble given to the lead actresses of Mga Mumunting Lihim -  Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, and Janice de Belen.

Here is the complete list of winners for the 8th edition of Cinemalaya:

Director's Showcase:

Audience Choice - Bwakaw

Best Screenplay - Mga Mumunting Lihim

Best Sound - Kalayaan

Best Original Musical Score - Kamera Obskura

Best Editing - Mga Mumunting Lihim

Best Production Design - Kalayaan

Best Cinematography - Kalayaan

Best Supporting Actor - Art Acuña (Posas)

Best Ensemble - Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, Iza Calzado, Janice de Belen (Mga Mumunting Lihim)

Best Actor - Eddie Garcia (Bwakaw)

Special Jury Prize - Kamera Obskura

NETPAC Awardee - Bwakaw

Best Director - Raymond Red (Kamera Obskura)

Best Film - Posas

New Breed:

Audience Choice - Ang Nawawala

Best Screenplay - Requieme

Best Sound - Aparisyon

Best Original Musical Score - Ang Nawawala

Best Editing - The Animals

Best Production Design - Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino

Best Cinematography - Diablo

Best Supporting Actor - Joross Gamboa (Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino)

Best Supporting Actress - Anita Linda (Sta. Nina)

Best Actor - Kristoffer King (Oros)

Best Actress - Ama Quiambao (Diablo)

Special Jury Prize - Requieme

NETPAC Awardee - Diablo

Best Director - Mes De Guzman (Diablo)

Best Film - Diablo

Short Features:

Audience Choice - Ruweda

Best Screenplay - Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong

Special Jury Prize - Manenaya

Best Director - Sheron Dayoc (As He Sleeps)

Best Short Film - Victor

The awards night marks the end of the 10-day film festival that showcased 25 films: 10 films competing at the New Breed category, 10 short films and five Director's Showcase category entries.

The ten films that competed in the New Breed full length feature category:

Aparisyon by Vincent Sandoval

Ang Katiwala by Aloy Adlawan

Ang Nawawala by Marietta "Marie" Jamora

Mga Dayo by Julius Sotomayor Cena

Diablo by Mes de Guzman

Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino by Lemuel Lorca

Oros by Paul Sta. Ana

REquieme! by Loy Arcenas

Santa Niña by Emmanuel Quindo Palo

The Animals by Gino  Santos

Five films in the Director's Showcase:

Bwakaw by Jun Robles Lana

Kalayaan (Wildlife) by Adolfo Alix Jr.

Mga Mumunting Lihim (Those Little Secrets) by Jose Javier Reyes

Posas (Shackled) by Lawrence Fajardo

Kamera Obskura by Raymond Red.

The short films selected this year were:

Ang Paghihintay sa Bulong by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo

As He Sleeps by Sheron Dayoc

Balintuna by Emmanuel Escalona Jr.

Bohe Sons of the Waves by Nadjoua Bansil

Manenaya by Richard Legaspi

Pasahero by Mario Celada

Ruweda by Hannah Espia

Sarong Aldaw by Marianito Dio Jr.

Ulian (Senility) by Chuck Gutierrez

Victor by Jarell Serencio.