MANADO (eTN) – How does a country which basically offers the same ingredients as its neighbors, with limited funds for promotion and worldwide advertising campaigns, promote itself? The Philippines has been struggling to capture its fair share of travelers over the last decade, despite the fact that total arrivals increased by 13 percent in 2011.

“We continue to be far behind other countries in the region when looking at total arrivals. We now reach over 3.75 million foreign visitors per year and forecast some 4.2 million of travelers for 2012. However, we remain far behind countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia,” analyzed Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., Assistant Secretary, Tourism Planning and Promotions at the Philippines Department of Tourism during a press conference at the ASEAN Travel Forum. Even the numbers of ASEAN travelers remain limited. They represent only 9 percent of all arrivals to the Philippines compared to a market share of 40 percent to 50 percent for some countries in the region.

The Philippines archipelago has beautiful islands; world-class diving spots and beaches; superb landscapes; a rich culture; and above all, friendly people. But most of these elements would also apply to other countries in the region. How better to capture the attention of the world by stimulating travelers’ imaginations, as well as their sense of humor? This is the revolutionary approach of the recently-named State Secretary for Tourism, Ramon Jimenez Jr. – revolutionary, as Southeast Asia remains generally rather conservative in its marketing approach.

A former executive from the advertising world, Mr. Jimenez has, in less than three months, completely revamped the image of Philippines tourism with a new tagline: “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” The campaign is supported by a catchy video, halfway between a quiz, fun facts, and the traditional tourism clip. The rhythm of the video seems to go like a merry-go-round, with islands’ names popping up between colorful desserts, smiling people, fiestas, singing birds, and festivals. The film adds a sense of color, sound, and movement, splashing from all over the country. At the end of the video, there is a sensation that advertising movies from other ASEAN countries seem suddenly pretty old-fashioned. “We want to customize our tourism approach according to markets, with the idea of adding a fun dimension to all the activities we propose,” added the State Assistant Secretary.

Capitalizing on Filipino people is at heart of the campaign. “Tourism is a way to alleviate poverty in the country. And by putting Filipinospeople in the center of our campaign, we want to attract visitors’ attention to our best tourism ‘factor’: our fun-loving, warm, and hospitable Filipino people,” told Benito C. Bengzon.

Having a vibrant new slogan and image are great on paper, but it will be of little use if the government does not look seriously at the Philippines’ two most serious issues: the lack of promotion and the urgent need of modernizing infrastructure. Like Indonesia, Assistant Secretary Benito C. Bengzon, believes that good infrastructure and connectivity are an essential requisite to the Philippines’ future tourism success. “Our government is strongly committed to improve infrastructures with many projects already started or in the pipeline,” he explained.

With the current boom in low-cost traffic, the Philippines are currently investing some US$25 million for the modernization of Manila International Airport (NAIA), as well as the expansion of Clark and Cebu airport. There is also plans for the construction of brand new airports in Bohol and Bicol. “We also continue to upgrade our road network, as well as our ports, with a special fund of US$70 million to upgrade roads leading to tourist attractions or development areas,” added Mr. Bengzon. Another US$5 billion is due to be invested through 2015 to increase accommodation across the entire nation.

Recognizing that government’s funding will be limited, product and destination marketing will be concentrated on a few destinations – the ones offering the best potential to support growth, thanks to their good connectivity. From a total of 21 tourism clusers, 9 destinations will have priority including: Manila for MICE and culture; Cebu for MICE and beach holidays; Boracay, Palawan, and Davao for beach and nature activities; while Bohol and Northern Luzon has eco-tourism products.

The Department of Tourism will also work closely with local tour operators to add new circuits and tours. Finally, The DOT will try to simplify visa formalities and rationalize immigration formalities at airports. “We are studying possibilities to ease the entry into our country in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs,” disclosed Mr. Bengzon. There is definitely a new sense of optimism for Filipino tourism.

My wife, Liza, and I visited Bohol after a few days at the much more famous Philippine beach resort of Boracay. While Boracay does have perfect white sand beaches, it draws large crowds of tourists and its beachfront has become very commercialized. The island of Bohol, a ferry ride from the bustling Philippine city of Cebu, was the “tropical paradise” we had expected Boracay to be. With perfect and uncrowded beaches, and palm trees without vendors, Bohol is the perfect place to get away from the stress of modern living.

We stayed at the Bohol Beach Club, a sprawling resort that seems to cater to medical conferences as a large part of their business. The doctors know where to go. We had a palatial beachfront villa, with traditional Filipino/Spanish décor. The first night we enjoyed a buffet dinner of Filipino cuisine, (a delectable blend of Chinese, Spanish and Polynesian dishes) and a show of Filipino folk dances. On our second day we hired a local guide and cab for a tour of the island that included historic sites; a view of the rare Tarsier monkeys (the world’s smallest); a riverboat ride with lunch; a visit to Bohol’s famous “chocolate hills”; and food shopping.

On our very interesting day-trip, it seemed like a new activity lurked around every corner. Our first stop was at the site of the historic “Blood Compact” between Spanish explorers and the Filipinos, one that hearkened back to the “blood brothers” ceremony of our Native Americans. Unfortunately for the local people, the Spanish colonizers gave as much credence to the treaty as Custer’s cavalry gave to pacts with the Sioux. A huge bronze sculpture depicted the ceremony on the site of the treaty, a cautionary tale for indigenous peoples. Our next stop was at a small viewing site for the all-but-disappeared Tarsiers, often called the world’s smallest monkeys. There is scientific disconnect about whether this small, bug-eyed, nocturnal primate is really a monkey at all, but the description is one that Bohol’s citizens are proud of. And care is taken at the exhibition area not to alarm these famous island residents, as flash photography or spooking the little guys in any way is strictly prohibited.

Our next stop was a pleasant surprise, as we boarded one of the many floating restaurants that ply the Labac River. The cruise includes a buffet lunch of Philippine dishes like pancit (a noodle dish with chicken, pork or shrimp) and lumpia (Philippine eggrolls). All the time musicians entertain with Filipino standards. The boats stop at a pier where a children’s group energetically performs songs and traditional dances, and then the boats leisurely cruise to a waterfall and back, about ninety minutes in all. The jaunt captures the natural beauty of the Philippines while rolling along the river.

Next we paid a visit to Bohol’s most famous attraction, the “chocolate hills,” which do look like mounds of candies, scores of them, stretching to the horizon. Even if it was a long day, we just had to climb one these strange formations. The hills were, in fact, green when we visited in April, because they only turn brown when the grass is burned by the sun in the Philippine summer. They are a remarkable sight however, even if in the spring they looked more like green mint gumdrops than Hershey’s kisses.

Our next stop was the historic Church of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Baclayon Church, a masterpiece of religious architecture from the days of the Spanish colonization. The impressive Baroque edifice was built in 1727, and was the seat of the Jesuit order in the Philippines. Lastly, we visited a Filipino grocery and purchased some delicious foods to enjoy back at the hotel while taking in our view of the magnificent beach.

Our respite in Bohol was both relaxing and educational, and a nice change from the bustle of Manila, which has its own, though different, attractions. Enjoy!

Tourists will now get a look inside the plant and its intact reactor to see “how nuclear energy throughout the world menacingly threatens the quality of life of the people if handled incorrectly,” Department of Tourism regional director Ronald Tiotuico told the Philippine Star.

“Hopefully, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant would serve to warn the global community of the fallout disaster that struck people in the Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima,” the Star quoted him as saying.

It won’t be an all-nuclear tour, however. The plant will be a stop on a tour that includes historical sites and beach resorts, the Star reported.

Source: CNN/etn

Bataan nuclear power plant / Image via pinoyweekly.org

Travel enthusiasts are sure to have a great start of the year as Travel Tour Expo (TTE) 2011 gives us an array of the best deals in the market this February 18 to 20, 2011 at the SMX Convention Hall. Now on its 18th year, the TTE is an annual event in the Philippine travel and tourism industry organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) and the Department of Tourism (DoT) and serves as a one-stop-shop for all domestic and international travel needs such as tickets, land arrangements, hotel accommodation, tours, and other travel packages.

Considering the events that rocked the country’s tourism sector last year, travel authorities say 2010 was still a good year for the industry. At present, composing the bulk of the traveling public are students, businessmen and group travelers. “I’ve seen a really big demand for groups which are composed of students and those who are on incentive tours,” shares PTTA president and TTE chairman Paz “Pat” Alberto. According to her, companies give away domestic and international travel packages to their employees as incentives. “Like a year ago, the incentive tours were (from) companies sponsoring their employees such as the salespeople, as a reward for a good performance at work. For students, of course those taking tourism-related courses.”

With the theme “Around the World in Three Days,” the event offers cheaper ways of going to any part of the world. Visitors of the three-day event can expect travel fares and packages that are said to be “better” than what consumers can find “online or anywhere else.”

“All the agencies will be able to service you and give you the best offer available in the market,” Alberto says. The TTE organizers have also solicited support from tour operators abroad to give them very special rates. “And just to let you know, Disney Land will be giving Disney items to anybody who buys a package to Hong Kong and stays overnight in Disney hotel or for a day during the event.” Local destinations are worth checking out as well. “But of course we have to think also that there are so many beautiful spots in the Philippines. And we have so many new boutique resorts. Both domestic and international (agencies) will be offering something different and something new.”

Last year’s top destinations for Filipinos included Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. This year, Alberto believes that it will still be the same because of the shorter and cheaper flights. “Of course people will also be interested in going back to Thailand now as it is very much into heavy promotion.”

Inbound, over-all data showed that we were still able to reach the desired target for foreign visitors despite the Quirino Grandstand hostage taking and the travel advisories. As early as the third quarter of 2010, Alberto disclosed that were already “3.2 million visitors from other countries.”

At the same time, more Filipinos are traveling within the country. “Domestic tourism in the Philippines is very good. Tourism (industry) is increasing and increasing every year,” she says. The promos that airlines are giving have been playing a big part. “Filipinos make advanced planning now because of the promo fares.”

Last year’s show brought in about 80,000 visitors, featured 416 booths with 230 participants and had the theme “Ready, Jet-set, Go!” which presented offers that would allow visitors to travel by air, water, rail or road within or outside the Philippines.

Source: mb.com.ph

Image via blogspot.com

So far, a total of 185 policemen have already finished their training under the program sponsored by the Department of Tourism (DoT) and all of them will be initially deployed in the National Capital Region and in the province of Cebu.

Aside from Metro Manila and Cebu, other deployment priorities based on the top tourist destination list of the DoT are Camarines Sur, Baguio City, Davao City, Boracay in Aklan, Cagayan de Oro, Zambales, Bohol, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Camiguin, Cagayan Valley, Negros Oriental and Ilocos Norte.

Source: mb.com.ph

Image via olivas.com.ph

But for now, Clark Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) receives only 600,000 passengers and it is considered by the Philippines Air Transport Office as the principal gateway for budget airlines. “Perspectives have been so far very good in 2009 with double-digit growth in passengers’ traffic between January and September. We are likely to hit a million passengers between 2011 and 2012″, says Victor Jose Luciano, President and CEO of Clark International Airport Corporation.

A major push occurred in 2008 when Filipino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the decree to transform the airport into Manila’s Premier Air Gateway. The airport’s surface is almost three times bigger than the current Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport – 2,387 ha in total of which only 800 ha are currently in use. The US Air Force left the facility equipped with two runways of 3,200 m both able to cater with large aircraft such as the Airbus.

So far, DMIA is linked by six low cost carriers (Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, Tiger Airways, Spirit of Manila, SEAir and Zest Air) and legacy carrier Asiana from Korea. Jin Air has already announced to soon begin flights from Seoul to Clark. According to Luciano, a Gulf carrier could also soon be present at the airport, caring then for the million Filipino workers living in the Middle East. “We are also confident to welcome AirAsia newest base in Southeast Asia. We had already serious discussions with its management”, adds Luciano. The new kid on the block is Spirit of Manila which started in November routes to Macau, Taipei and Bahrain.

The biggest issue is now the development of the new terminal. The construction so far delayed but it seems that work will start on the first part of the terminal this year. A new gallery and a second floor are being added to the current terminal which will raise capacity from two to five million passengers. Clark’s ambitions are soon to take a more concrete shape. Plans have been already approved to design a second terminal which will constitute the base of the country’s future intercontinental gateway. A master plan was developed by Korea international Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in November 2008 looking for a second terminal with an initial capacity for seven million passengers. Other infrastructure includes a shopping center, new taxiways, the expansion of the apron and one runway, a freight terminal and a new control tower. Total investment for this phase is estimated at US$ 150 million dollars with completion expected in 2013. “By then, Terminal 2 will be dedicated to international traffic with Terminal 1 taking over all domestic routes”, says Luciano. In the long term, DMIA will be able to handle 80 million passengers.

Local newspapers recently reported the interest of a Kuwait-based firm, Almal Investment Company, to develop DMIA for a total investment of US$ 1.2 billion. In a proposal dated December 24, 2009, the company expressed its desire to develop all civil components of DMIA Terminal 1, 2, and 3 based on the existing master plan. Almal Investment Company would immediately spend US$ 100 million for the first phase of Terminal 2.

Another urgent issue will be the link to Manila. So far, it takes over two hours by car to reach the airport and urgent work must be done to enlarge the highway and offer a proper public transportation. “We are very conscious of the saturation of the road system in Manila but it should get better with the opening in 2010 of a new ring road in Quezon City. The completion of the Northern Commuter Train System will also provide a direct rail link from Clark to Manila Northern Station,” adds Luciano.

The development of DMIA as the country’s Premier gateway will not mean the closure of the current Manila International Airport. NAIA will be downgraded to a domestic airport with all the flights concentrated in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. and for the start of 2010, some positive development are likely to take place at NAIA. It seems that Manila Airport’s most modern facility, Terminal 3, will finally become the new home for four international carriers -most probably Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines. So far, only Cebu Pacific and PAL Express operate from the Terminal built to accommodate 13 million passengers. In the long term, Terminal 3 will take over all international carriers with Terminal 1 closing its doors to the public. Until now, foreign carriers had preferred to stay at the old Terminal 1 because of Terminal 3′s legal issues between the government and the consortium which built the facility.

Despite the alarm caused by the incident, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano assured stakeholders of the tourism industry that the Philippines remains an ideal destination for tourism activities, business meetings and conferences.

The tourism chief made the assurance following the directive of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo putting the Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato City under a state of emergency, aimed at speeding up the investigation and arrest of the individuals involved in the incident.

The directive also places authorities including the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on full alert to prevent any untoward incidences in said areas.

Durano stressed that the incident is isolated and confined to the three areas, and does not involve tourism spots frequented by travellers.

He said that the country’s major tourist destinations such as Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro City, and Davao City, among others, remain safe and open for foreign and local visitors.

He enjoined members of the travel and tourism industry in avoiding confusion in the country by providing accurate and up-to-date advisories to both the Filipino public and international guests.

“The incident in Maguindanao is an isolated case and should not hamper the tourism promotion activities of the government,” Durano said.

He noted that travel services to and from the Philippines are continuous and that services for local and international guests are available.

For information on the exotic, 7,107-island Philippine archipelago, visit www.experiencephilippines.ph or contact the Philippine Department of Tourism in Los Angeles at 213-487-4525, San Francisco at 415-956-4060; New York at 212-575-7915 or Chicago at 312-782-2475.

Philippine Department of Tourism

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) is one of the Executive Departments of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines responsible for the promotion of travel to the Philippines, tourism investments, and enhancement and preservation of tourism products in the country. Field offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco provide the following services free of charge on a selective basis: dissemination of tourism information, maps, brochures and posters; lending out of videos, CDs and other tourism-related materials; recommendations on places to visit; endorsement of relevant entities; and assistance to those traveling to the Philippines. These offices also engage in a number of promotional activities: presentations to travel organizations, travel trade shows, media inserts and joint marketing arrangements.

The Philippine Department of Tourism is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, with offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For more information, contact the Philippine Department of Tourism in Chicago at 312-782-2475 or visit www.experiencephilippines.ph

“As a globally successful Filipino artist, Apl is the perfect icon to represent our country and its fascinating destinations. His music, infused with Pinoy pride, certainly makes this campaign fresh and exciting,” said Secretary Durano.

A Filipino-American, Apl has been a staunch supporter for the Philippines and an advocate for tourism to the exotic 7,107-island archipelago. When asked about his inspiration in making the video, Apl remarked: “I wanted to showcase all the beautiful spots in the Philippines. I wanted to help out tourism, to inspire others to visit the Philippines; to create jobs for people and help out the country and the community.”

Apl himself wrote the lyrics, along with suggestions from Durano, highlighting the local texture of tourist destinations such as Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Davao, Tagaytay, Pampanga, Batangas and Baguio. The song and video conjure up images of warm blue waters, parties in Manila, unique Pinoy culture, eco-wilderness adventures and an infinite number of activities found only in the Philippines.

Photo caption: Apl (left) and Secretary Durano (right) pose for a picture upon exiting a Philippine Jeepney, a popular vehicle which can be spotted all throughout the 7,107-island country with a variety of vibrant colors and decorations.

Directed by Andrew Lo, creative director of MTV Asia, the video utilized mixed motion graphics stylized by The Source, a renowned studio in Hollywood.

“We have so much in common,” said Bill Roedy, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks International, in regards to the partnership between the Philippine Department of Tourism and MTV.

“Music is part of our cultural heritage, there is just a perfect fit between MTV and the Philippines,” agreed Secretary Durano.

This collaboration marks the first time that the media giant has joined forces with a country to promote its tourism industry and it exemplifies the innovative direction that PDOT has taken to reach out to younger generations of world travelers.

The video was launched in conjunction with a new promotional website, www.awesomephilippines.com, which features a wealth of information on the destination from cultural facts to blogs from Filipino hoteliers and restaurateurs. There is a section for “mini-videos” which provide a preview of what to expect from various destinations within the country.

The new website represents a perfect synergy of the youthfulness of MTV and the unique charms of the Philippines. “Our audience is young and vibrant and that’s exactly what the Philippines is,” said Roedy.

An archipelago of 7,107 islands, the Philippines offers more variety than any other vacation destination. From the historical intrigue of cities such as Cebu (the birthplace of Christianity in Asia) and cosmopolitan Manila, to the unspoiled beaches of Palawan and Boracay, the Philippines has it all in great abundance. The island’s culture is centered around hospitality and the exchange rate makes vacationing in the Philippines extremely affordable for North American visitors so travelers can enjoy luxury accommodations at unbelievable prices.

Philippine specialists such as Rajah Tours (800-884-8566; www.rajahtours.com.ph) on the West Coast, as well as New York-based Pacific Asia Leisure (212-661-3270; www.pacificasialeisure.com), Pacific Holidays (800-355-8025; www.pacificholidaysinc.com) and Orient Flexi-Pax Tours (800-545-5540; www.orientflexipax.com) offer complete land/air packages at an amazing value. In fact, one can experience up to seven days in the Philippines for the cost of airfare alone to some Asian cities.

Vacationers are encouraged to save some room in their luggage, however, as no visitor to the Philippines leaves without indulging in at least a small amount of shopping – and it’s easy to go overboard as designs are brilliantly unique and the U.S. dollar goes very, very far.

For more information about the Philippines, visit www.experiencephilippines.ph, or contact the Philippine Department of Tourism in Los Angeles (213-487-4525), San Francisco (415-956-4060), Chicago (312-782-2475) or New York (212-575-7915).

The Philippine Department Of Tourism

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) is one of the Executive Departments of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines responsible for the promotion of travel to the Philippines, tourism investments, and enhancement and preservation of tourism products in the country. Field offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco provide the following services free of charge on a selective basis: dissemination of tourism information, maps, brochures and posters; lending out of videos, CDs and other tourism-related materials; recommendations on places to visit; endorsement of relevant entities; and assistance to those traveling to the Philippines. These offices also engage in a number of promotional activities: presentations to travel organizations, travel trade shows, media inserts and joint marketing arrangements.

The Philippine Department of Tourism is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, with offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.experiencephilippines.ph or www.wowphilippines.com.ph, or call the toll-free Philippine travel information hotline at 1-877-PHIL-TRAVEL

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the aggressive marketing approach taken by Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano in marketing the Philippines as world-class tourist destination and the innovative scheme being implemented by the bureau contributed to the increase in foreigner arrivals.

Statistics showed that some 1.32 million foreigners arrived last month, up by 18,141 over the August 2008 arrivals.

From January to August, 3.95 million foreigners arrived, compared to the 3.943 million for the same period last year, according to a press statement of the Bureau of Immigration.

Americans topped the list of arrivals during the eight-month period with 460,514, followed by Koreans with 364, 304.

Also in the top 10 list were Japanese, 220,833; Chinese, 146,361; Australians, 84,967; British, 81,699; Canadians, 75,883; Taiwanese, 57,281; Malaysians, 45,555 and Singaporeans with 41,521.

Libanan lauded Durano for his innovative approach in providing a comprehensive planning framework for the development of tourism, particularly in turning various venues in the provinces into prime tourist destinations.

He said the bureau has continuously wooed foreign visitors through programs like the visa issuance made simple (VIMS), pre-arranged visa upon arrival and the special visa for employment generation (SVEG).

The programs, he said, have made it easier for foreigners to stay in the country and even do business or work here.

“With the success of our team-up with the DOT, we are hopeful that more foreigners will visit the country in the remaining months of 2009,” Libanan added.
Source: inquirer.net

Best observed though the Filipino penitent for vibrant color and the ingenuity of designs found in its art galleries, furniture, clothing and handicrafts, the Philippines is a product of cultural fusion with influences from Spain and other parts of Europe as well as a broad spectrum of Asian ethnicities from India to Japan. Elements from North America and the Middle East further round out the Philippines and add to its range of artistic inspiration. Its fashion designers are among as the most innovative and daring in the world, and its artisans are regarded as true pioneers, light years ahead of the global art community.

“We are proud of our varied heritage and the one-of -a-kind artistry our rich history has inspired,” said Annie Cuevas, Director of the Philippine Department of Tourism – Los Angeles, noting that “Philippine art imports are among the most highly sought by international collectors, some of whom make regular trips to the Philippines to discover new artists and enjoy bargains on imaginative sculptures and paintings.”

“Our distinct perspective gives us a unique eye when it comes to artistic endeavors,” said Cuevas. “Americans would be surprised to learn how many blockbuster Hollywood productions were directed by Filipinos or actually filmed on location in the Philippines,” she added.

The Philippines has made great fiscal strides in the last two decades and has outpaced many of its neighbors, however, this has not always been the case. Following the country’s break from Spanish colonial rule, certain materials became very scarce and expensive for the average Filipino. This history has taught Filipino people to think outside of the box and to be creative in their construction of furniture, clocks and other ordinary objects, utilizing any materials that are available.

Filipinos may be comparatively well off today, but this ingenuity has remained a strong component in the make-up of the Filipino persona and can be seen in the unique chandeliers of five-star hotels and the quaint hand-made wooden furniture constructed on-premises at some smaller, boutique properties in the country’s more remote island paradises.

Perhaps the best example is the Philippine jeepney (pictured right). Constructed mechanically from Suzuki parts and motors imported from Japan, the exterior of these very common vehicles is comprised of the scraps from former U.S. army jeeps, usually with an extension bridge in the middle for increased passenger capacity. The sight of army vehicles can be off-putting, however, so expressionistic Filipinos decorate their jeepney with vibrant colors inside and out, often with religious messages to acknowledge their devout Catholic piety.

“The jeepney is a great example of how no material goes unused in the Philippines. We’ve even been known to recycle the rubber from our tires,” said Cuevas, referring to a practice where old tires have been cleaned and transformed into lawn and patio furniture in parts of the island of Bohol. “It seems absurd when you think about it, but it’s really quite remarkable when you see it blend with nature in the form of a bird bath complete with vegetative growth. It’s profoundly beautiful, actually.”

The Philippines is home to many of the world’s most noteworthy artisans and fashion designers whose work is prominently displayed and featured across various continents. Many of the artists have utilized various materials and cultural aspects to add a special, unique flavor to their work.

Napoleon Abueva, coined as the “Father of Modern Philippine Culture,” has helped shaped the sculpture scene in the Philippines since the beginning of his career using all types of material including hard wood, adobe, metal, stainless steel, cement, marble, bronze, iron alabaster, coral and brass. Abueva’s masterpieces reside in numerous landmarks across the Philippine region.

Benedicto Cabrera, a well-known painter, was a pionner of the fine arts and had a tremendous influence on many of his peers. Working out of a small studio in the city of Baguio, Cabrera began to use handmade paper as a medium for his work which eventually earned him several major art awards.

Ramon Orlina was born in Manila, and after completing his architectural degree at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, he began to practice architecture, painting, sculpting and drawing. All of his designs were based from his experience as an architect in the region. He eventually began to create sculptures from glass cullets or crystal blocks to express his visual imagery.

Many fashion designers from the region draw on the unique culture and traditions and emulate these aspects into wearable masterpieces. Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, renowned as “The Fashion Czar of Asia,” began his career creating costumes for the world-famous Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company. He was the president of the first association of Manila designers and the founder of the fashion-cultural organization known as the Karilagan International. His collections have circled the globe and have graced the fashion pages of top magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazar.

Diane Monique Lhuillier is a Filipino fashion designer based in the U.S. Her mother’s glamorous style and extensive travels were some of her earliest influences. Lhuillier, along with her husband Bugbee, founded Monique Lhuillier in 1996 and launched their first bridal collection. The line was extremely well-received by fashion-savvy brides and celebrities including Britney Spears, Christine Baumgartner (Kevin Costner’s bride), and the former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s youngest daughter.

Lotte Delima Edwards, a Cebuana-bred fashion designer, recently launched a summer collection named after the islands in Cebu – Hilontongan, Olango, and Santa Fe Island – bringing the enchanting and seductive atmosphere of each island to life.

Travelers with artistic inclinations or passions should make a pilgrimage to the Philippines – Asia’s undisputed capital for art, culture and fashion – at least once in their lives. Philippine specialists such as Rajah Tours (800-884-8566; www.rajahtours.com.ph) on the West Coast, as well as New York-based Pacific Asia Leisure (212-661-3270; www.pacificasialeisure.com), Pacific Holidays (800-355-8025; www.pacificholidaysinc.com) and Orient Flexi-Pax Tours (800-545-5540; www.orientflexipax.com) offer complete land/air packages at an amazing value. In fact, one can experience up to seven days in the Philippines for the cost of airfare alone to some Asian cities.

Travelers are encouraged to save some room in their luggage, however, as no visitor to the Philippines leaves without indulging in at least a small amount of shopping – and it’s easy to go overboard as designs are brilliantly unique and the U.S. dollar goes very, very far.

For more information about the Philippines, or to book the vacation of a lifetime, contact one of the Philippine Department of Tourism accredited tour operators listed above, visit www.experiencephilippines.ph, or contact the Philippine Department of Tourism in Los Angeles (213-487-4525), San Francisco (415-956-4060), Chicago (312-782-2475) or New York (212-575-7915).

The Philippine Department Of Tourism

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) is one of the Executive Departments of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines responsible for the promotion of travel to the Philippines, tourism investments, and enhancement and preservation of tourism products in the country. Field offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco provide the following services free of charge on a selective basis: dissemination of tourism information, maps, brochures and posters; lending out of videos, CDs and other tourism-related materials; recommendations on places to visit; endorsement of relevant entities; and assistance to those traveling to the Philippines. These offices also engage in a number of promotional activities: presentations to travel organizations, travel trade shows, media inserts and joint marketing arrangements.

The Philippine Department of Tourism is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, with offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.experiencephilippines.ph or www.wowphilippines.com.ph, or call the toll-free Philippine travel information hotline at 1-877-PHIL-TRAVEL.