To welcome the auspicious Year of the Wood Dragon, Chowking introduces two festive New Year additions — the Family Lauriat and the new Peanut Buchi flavor, kicking off the “Share the Sarap ng Swerte” celebrations for you and your loved ones!

Chowking introduced the new Family Lauriat, featuring six (6) of their best-selling dishes — Chinese-Style Fried Chicken, Pancit Canton, Siomai, Buchi, Chicharap, and Egg Fried Rice, elegantly presented in customized packaging good for 4 or 6 pax for the perfect ‘Sarap ng Swerte’ feast.

Adding a delightful twist to the menu, the Peanut Buchi, a sweet and sticky sensation crafted to capture good luck and ensure it sticks, was recently launched. This is also available on a platter, serving as a captivating centerpiece for the table or a heartfelt gift for your loved ones. Seize the opportunity to savor the Peanut Buchi, exclusively available for a limited time only.

To allow everyone to enjoy this feast and share more of their fortune, Chowking will be having a roster of activities for their biggest Chinese New Year celebration. Prepare for a spectacular event, ushering in prosperity and experiencing the Sarap ng Swerte in the coming year. Join the celebration online on their Facebook page on February 10, 2024.

Gather your loved ones and Share the Sarap ng Swerte as we welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon with Chowking!

For more information about Chowking, visit www.facebook.com/ChowkingPH (Facebook) and @ChowkingPH (Instagram).

Eric Divinagracia, artistic director of the festival, said the tribes’ competition on Jan. 28 will be seeing the performances not only of school-based participants but also special performances on the Chinese New Year, Paraw Regatta and Bike Festival.

“There are special performances highlighting that Iloilo City and Iloilo province [as a whole] is a festival capital of the Philippines,” he said on Tuesday.

Based on the final schedule released by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., the Chinese New Year presentation will come after the Tribu Taga Barrio and Tribu Mandurriao at the Freedom Grandstand.

Paraw Regatta will be featured after the Tribu Salognon and Tribu Sigabong while there is a special participation of the Tambor Trumpa Musika.

Other participating tribes are the Tribu Ilonganon, Tribu Silak, Tribu Paghidaet and Tribu Pan-ay.

Divinagracia said everything is set for the tribes’ competition, especially with the comeback of schools.

“Dinagyang is back to its form and we can really expect an exciting performance from our fellow Ilonggo artists, from our Dinagyang warriors. This time the sets are back, the panels are back, and with that, transition between tribes will have more space and time,” he added.

Meanwhile, spectators can expect more of Iloilo’s festivals during the Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan on Jan. 27.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said the Kasadyahan is “very meaningful” because it provides a showroom for Iloilo to “share to the country the culture and the soul of the province.”

“Kasadyahan right now we are developing it into an F5 — the fun, foodie, friendly festival of festivals of the province because the parade is composed of tribes coming from different municipalities and their respective festivals,” he said.

The participants include the Kaing Festival of Leon, Katagman Festival of Oton, Saad Festival of Leganes, Cry of Jelicuon of New Lucena, Pantat Festival of Zarraga, Tultugan Festival of Maasin, Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay of Calinog and Banaag Festival of Anilao.

The Dinagyang ILOmination and Floats Parade of Lights on the night of Jan. 26 will showcase tribes from various dance companies in Iloilo highlighting Ilonggo values.

The participants include Tribu Ilonggohanon, Tribu Kahirup, Tribu Mandurriao, Tribu Sagasa, Tribu Sidlangan, Tribu IAFA and Tribu Buntag-tala. (PNA)

The convoy of nine buses loaded with over 400 visitors and the rest onboard mini buses were joined by others who brought their own vehicles went to Consolacion town, which is famous for bamboo-made hats called “sarok.”

“This is the biggest (contingent), so far,” Cebu Provincial Information Office head Katherine Bethune said in a statement.

Governor Gwen Garcia, tourism officials and the visitors were treated to a sumptuous feast and a sarok-making experience.

They indulged in the mouth-watering dish called Binangus (made of bangus or milkfish).

The convoy then went to Cascades Nature Park in the municipality of Compostela, the second stop of the northern escapade.

Officials and residents of the municipality’s 17 villages organized display booths for their local products and delicacies, like “queseo”, which is made from carabao’s milk, as well as salvaro (thin biscuit made from desiccated coconuts), siakoy (deep-fried twisted doughnut), and silhig lanot (broomstick).

The visitors were also brought to the town of Carmen, home to the Our Lady of Manaoag at the St. Benedict’s Monastery in Barangay Corte, as well as the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park, Durano Eco Farm and Spring Resort, Mangitngit Falls, and Middle Earth Mountain Resort.

In Sogod, the visitors were brought to the white-sand beaches and treated to a cultural presentation while having their snacks in Medellin town.

On Wednesday, the visitors will be brought to San Remegio, where they will be taken on a boat ride to Sta. Fe town in Bantayan Island.

A tour around Bogo, Catmon and the smart port town of Liloan will cap the tourist program on Thursday. (PNA)

Allan Ryan Tan, president of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. that oversees the celebration, said the puppet show will be shown instead to public schools.

“This year, we will have a free puppet show for public schools and barangays for them to immerse in Chinese culture. These are not small puppets but are life-size puppets. It’s very exciting because it is the first time for Iloilo to host, and this is for free, sponsored by our counterpart in China through our sister city,” he said in an interview following the Chinese New Year grand launch Monday afternoon.

Peter Chan, chairperson of the Chinese New Year 2024 task force, said the troupe has visited over 50 countries, including the Philippines. It also performed during the opening of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.

They will perform five stories in eight shows at the West Visayas State University cultural center.

The chinaculture.org said the Quanzhou puppet show is “one of the oldest and rarest among puppet shows in China” with a history of over 2,000 years.

The Chinese New Year celebration in Iloilo City will have the grand parade, grand show and fireworks display in the afternoon towards the evening of Feb. 9 as highlights. (PNA)

In an interview, Carmel Garcia, Catanduanes Tourism Office chief, said they recorded 127,619 tourist arrivals for 2023, which showed a 7 percent growth from 119,710 in 2022.

“For 2024, we are targeting at least 150,000 tourist arrivals. This is a very conservative target since we want to strengthen our promotion by engaging more in digital platforms. We will also engage more and sustain active participation in different travel and tour expo,” Garcia said.

She said through travel and tour expositions, they were able to showcase the island’s captivating beauty, rich culture, and exciting tourism offerings.

“These expos provided us an excellent opportunity to network with travel enthusiasts, industry professionals, and potential visitors. The province’s enthusiastic participation in these events shows its dedication to promoting and sharing the distinctive allure of Catanduanes with other destinations, not only in the Philippines but also worldwide,” she said.

Garcia added that they plan to use various social media platforms to showcase what Catanduanes has to offer to tourists.

“We want to showcase more tour packages, tour guides, and simple tour plans on how to go and where to stay here in the province. We want to let the tourists know that we have more to offer, the different sites in the province that will make their stay memorable,” she added.

Based on their data, at least 155,695 jobs were created in 2023, contributing significantly to the province’s local economy.

“Tourism creates bigger opportunities for the province, with employment generation, we were able to provide livelihood to the locals. The tourism sector continues to play a pivotal role in fostering employment and income opportunities,” she said.

Domestic tourism receipts generated PHP151.4 million for the province and PHP7.9 million for foreign tourism receipts.

“This is the money that they spend while staying in the province. The top three foreign markets are Russia, Australia, and the United States of America,” Garcia said. (PNA)

Puerto Princesa tourism chief Demetrio Alvior Jr. said Monday afternoon the current count could still rise as not all data has been encoded, but the increase is presently logged as 76 percent compared to the 300,000 tourists in 2022.

Alvior said these statistics account for visitors who spent at least one night in Puerto Princesa, excluding transient tourists from cruise ships or those just passing through.

Puerto Princesa maintains its status as a top destination in the Mimaropa region, with attractions like El Nido, Coron, Brooke’s Point and Linapacan contributing to its popularity.

Alvior said more than five of the region’s top attractions are located within Palawan.

“Just like last year, this applies to the entire Mimaropa region, not just Palawan,” he added.

Alvior cited Puerto Princesa’s effective tourism accreditation system under the city’s Standard Division, which ranks highest in the Mimaropa region for compliance with Department of Tourism standards and processes.

He said other local government units have expressed their admiration for Puerto Princesa’s quick recovery following the pandemic and Typhoon Odette.

“I’ve spoken with many local government units elsewhere, and they’re envious of Puerto Princesa’s swift recovery from the pandemic and Typhoon Odette,” he said.

Alvior attributed this tourism resurgence to collaborative efforts among various stakeholders in the industry and underscored the importance of sustaining and enhancing these achievements.

Under Mayor Lucilo Bayron’s leadership, Puerto Princesa is focusing on developing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, he said.

Alvior said MICE tourism brings substantial economic benefits through corporate spending on venues, accommodations, dining and transportation, exceeding leisure travel expenses.

He said the city hosted about 800 MICE events last year, attracting nearly 70,000 visitors.

Alvior cited the significant spending power of MICE tourists and the advantages it brings to the local economy.

However, while the city has the potential for MICE events, it faces a capacity limitation, currently accommodating a maximum of 1,000 individuals.

To address this, Alvior said plans are underway to build convention centers to increase visitor capacity and stimulate more flights to Puerto Princesa, ultimately enhancing the city’s tourism infrastructure and its ability to host larger events and more tourists. (PNA)

Updates on the proposed developments on Tuesday show the planned enhancement of hotel facilities and the introduction of new tourism features.

“Mambukal has always been a hallmark of our provincial tourism. As such, we aim to develop a world-class resort while at the same time promoting ecological sustainability and protection,” Governor Eugenio Lacson said in a statement.

Lacson said the hotel will have more rooms with prices from mid- to high- range.

The province also plans to introduce features such as trail running, hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as tramlines and ziplines, he added.

Recently, the provincial government finalized the purchase of the 10-hectare property covering the resort’s famous seven falls from the Mambucal Real Estate Development Corp. for PHP80 million.

“The province will now exercise control and ownership over the land surrounding our falls and river systems. Our focus will be on reforestation, ensuring the protection of our falls, and preserving our natural resources,” Lacson said.

When the resort reopened in December 2021 after almost two years of closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Lacson issued Executive Order (EO) 21-45, declaring and rebranding the Mambukal Resort as a wildlife sanctuary.

It said the area is home to several wildlife species protected under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Considering Mambukal Resort’s characteristic, which is home to, among others, “endemic and wildlife species that require specific human manipulations for their perpetuation, it falls under the category of wildlife sanctuary,” it added.

EO 21-45 said, “hunting, wounding, taking or killing within the said territory of any endemic or wildlife animals/and or the destruction of any vegetation or any act causing the disturbance to the habitat of the wildlife herein protected are hereby prohibited.”

Located at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon, Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few bat sanctuaries in the country. (PNA)

This trend involves parents sharing aspects of their family life on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram and showing snippets of their daily lives online.

A few notable figures in this realm include Team Kramer’s Doug and Chesca, Cong TV and Viy Cortez, Jubi and Xian, and Kryz Uy with Slater Young.

1. Doug Kramer and Chesca Garcia

Team Kramer, composed of Doug, Chesca, and their three children, is a pioneer in Filipino family vlogging. Their content extends beyond mere entertainment, serving as a platform that reflects essential values such as love, respect, and togetherness.

Through their heartwarming videos, Team Kramer has established itself not only as a commercial figure but also as a beacon for promoting positive familial bonds in the digital space.

2. Cong TV and Viy Cortez

Cong and Viy, members of Team Payaman, are some of the most established content creators in the Philippines. This power couple is known for their humorous and relatable content.

They started as a couple of vloggers and are now parents to their child, Kidlat. They started sharing their family journey when they lost their first baby after Viy suffered from a miscarriage in December 2020.

3. Jubi and Xian

TikTok couple Jervymae Baluyot, aka Jubi or Mamiju, and her partner Xian Dela Peña, also known as Dadiju are the parents of the cute TikTok baby called “Baby Ju”.

From sharing Baby Ju’s cuteness overload to documenting precious family moments to sharing parenting insights, they’ve provided a transparent look into their lives and a glimpse into the joys and challenges of parenthood.

4. Kryz Uy and Slater Young

Internet sensation couple Kryz and Slater are the parents of Scott and Sevi. They bring a touch of glamor to the parenting scene, blending style with the realities of raising a child.

Kryz and Slater also share powerful and purposeful parenting conversations through their podcast channel.

These influencers not only entertain but also create a sense of community, connecting with other parents and sharing tips and experiences.

While sharenting can provide a sense of community and support for parents, it raises important questions about the privacy and consent of the children involved. Social media influencer parents often walk a fine line between sharing meaningful moments and potentially exploiting their children for likes and followers.

As influencer parents continue to shape the digital parenting landscape, the challenges and rewards of sharenting persist, reminding us of the delicate line between sharing and protecting in the age of social media.

Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/dougkramer, https://www.instagram.com/viycortez, https://www.instagram.com/thecongtv,
https://www.facebook.com/kryzzzie, https://www.instagram.com/jubiandxian

In a phone interview on Tuesday, city tourism officer Miguel Sison said out of the total number, 289,413 were domestic tourists, 140,970 were local tourists, and the rest were foreign tourists.

Sison attributed the increase in tourist arrivals to the easing of travel restrictions, the natural scenery at the famous national park, and the activities it offers.

The increase in arrivals also resulted in higher tourism receipts of some PHP44 million against the PHP33.3 million income in 2022.

Although the number of tourist arrivals has not yet fully returned to its pre-pandemic level of 520,000 in 2019, the number is already beyond the number of visitors to the national park in 2020 at 93,000 and in 2021 at 50,000.

He said most tourists came during the Holy Week, while cruise ships have also visited the HINP.

Sison said they recently opened the Bonsai Garden at Ramos Island to serve as another attraction, catering to “bonsai” lovers.

Other attractions included the Pilgrimage Island and a 448-meter-long boardwalk at the Mangrove Park in Barangay Bued, which is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Activities allowed at the park include bird, bat, and monkey watching, and water sports.

The city also has the engineered “kawayan” (bamboo) factory where visitors can buy souvenirs or accessories or watch in groups a demonstration on how engineered or e-bamboos are used for livelihood.

Entrance to the park requires a minimal fee, while the entrance to the factory is free.

Meanwhile, the city government of Alaminos City revised its tourism code to align with the standards of the Department of Tourism to benefit both the tourists and the workers.

“We will also have local accreditation but we will be using local registration form. We will have an initial categorization of the establishment’s classification according to the DOT standard,” City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office assistant head Rose Aruelo said in a separate interview.

The city government implemented the new tourism code starting Dec. 1 last year.

Aside from business permits, the city government also requires annual general liability insurance for guests, a schedule of current rates, and a safety declaration certificate in compliance with the occupational safety and health standards, among others, she said.

There will be changes in fees at the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) in line with the new tourism code.

“Some fees were retained while some increased. The rationale is for the development of the islands. The developments require a higher amount of revenue for maintenance of facilities and cleanliness of areas,” Aruelo said.

Registration fee for the day tour at HINP will be increased by PHP20 to PHP120 per person, while the overnight tour registration will be PHP200 per person. The registration fee covers the environmental and entrance fees and insurance coverage.

Motorboat rates also have slight changes.

HINP is now offering an island exclusivity package from PHP80,000 to PHP150,000, depending on the island and the schedule.

“The package will include security personnel, first aider, and helper to assist guests in the islands,” Aruelo added.

Within the HINP, the “Basura Mo, Iuwi Mo” is still being implemented, where guests deposit PHP200 and are provided with two bags to dispose of their biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

Guests can have their PHP200 deposit back once they surrender the garbage bags with their disposed waste.

Another best practice in the city is their Scubasurero program (from the words scuba diving and “basurero” or garbage collector), which started in 2016 and involves volunteer scuba divers cleaning the seas quarterly.

Sison said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) conducts regular inspections to ensure water quality is fit for swimming.

He assured the public that Alaminos is a very peaceful and drug-fee. (PNA)

“We want the neighboring towns to join us by coming up with activities on the duration of the Panagbenga so that visitors in Baguio will have other activities and attractions to see while they are in Baguio for the flower festival,” Andrew Pinero, spokesperson and media committee head of the Executive Committee of the Baguio Flower Festival 2024, said in a phone interview Monday.

The invitation was made for the other towns of Benguet to benefit from the gains of the 28-year-old festival, which is a major crowd drawer and is organized by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI).

“Panagbenga is a community activity and the LISTT towns are part of the community of Baguio and extending to them the economic gains of the festival is appropriate,” Pinero said.

Pinero noted that visitors to the country’s summer capital have also visited La Trinidad for strawberry picking or to buy fresh highland vegetables at the vegetable trading post.

“The BFFFI wants the visitors to also see the other towns aside from La Trinidad, which is the capital of Benguet, because they also have many tourist attractions to offer aside from cultural events, nature-related activities, and gastronomic experience for the tourists,” he said.

The festival’s theme this year is “Celebrating Culture, Embracing Innovation” and opening events will be held from Feb. 1-3. The grand street dance parade is scheduled for Feb. 24.

Panagbenga is a Kankanaey term for “blossoming” used by former mayor Mauricio G. Domogan to name the city’s major crowd-drawing event. The event is also timed during the blossoming of flowers in the city and neighboring towns.

The Department of Tourism in the Cordillera estimates that about 35,000 tourism-related business establishments in Baguio and Benguet benefit from the festival. (PNA)