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Joe's Tales from Visayas and Tips for Trips 1999 / 2000 by Alfred N. "Joe" Bruckner A B N C - NEWS & COMMENTARIES 
M A B U H A Y ! WELCOME - HERZLICH WILLKOMMEN to V I S A Y A S the heart of the Philippines ============================================================================== What ever you read in tourism brochures, flyers, or write-ups by "Travel Writers" or issued by other people in the tourism industry - interested first and over all in marketing of their own business - about and in this "Dream Destination" or so ..... like "World Class", "Top", "Number One", etc., etc., is indeed applicable for some items, but - in relation to (real) "World", even "ASEAN" standards - sometimes a little bit "exaggeration". Consider, that some ot those authors (usual) don't like to leave their AirCon offices - except on the way to and from their (AirCon) vehicles - and that some "Writers" are not used to be (ordinary) passengers on board of "public" transortation vehicles and service(s). By the way, some "write-ups" and "travel stories" are the output of "familiarizaton tours" and other "special trips" ..... I was (invited) member in some tours ..... and I organized (and hosted) such tours for the tourism industry. The most people in my adopted country are not participating in any kind of business or are not connected with the tourism industry. But for many more of my fellow country-men could "TOURISM" be a real beefactor and - quoting the former Tourism Secretary Mina T. Gabor: "TOURISM" could be indeed the "DOLLAR-EARNER NUMBER ONE" in this country ..... if some short-sighted, but influential and powerful people in "Politic" and so-called "Private Sector" would have more interest in (real) "public service(s)" ..... a h e a d (!) of their (own) profite. Let me explain this in some examples - from the view point of Visayas: ============================================== Pampered by two-digided growth rates in the main market Japan - round fourty (40) per cent of all Foreign arrivals (!) - the European market place was and is still continuing neglected ..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Negative trends in statistics started here BEFORE and AHEAD of the so-called "Asian crisis" in the last couple of years in the past millenium. Supported in marketing strategies are still some few tourist spots ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- in the destination "Visayas", like B O R A C A Y - in Western Visayas, B O H O L - with its diving spots, C E B U with concentration - compare to the region - on very few business establishments. Short-sighted and just rendite or profite oriented "informations" for potential guests and visitors are indeed not "invitations". We are complaining about "LACKING MORE INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- direct and non-stop to CEBU, the gate-way to Visayas. Yes, we need more connections! But, how to integrate this destination "CEBU" in networks of (more) international Airlines, when service facilities in its "international" Airport are just "provincial" ?? (Even "MANILA" is not better, but this is the country's capital .... you know?) On the other hand, we have existing comfortable connections from Europe --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- via SINGAPORE, KUALA LUMPUR and HONG KONG, particularly for those passengers who are - during transit in MANILA not "privileged guests" of the national flag carrier. Even in connection to other Visayan islands - CAMOTES, LEYTE, BOHOL, SIQUIJOR, and NEGROS Oriental are those "direct" routings the much better alternative to MANILA, ---------------------------------------------------------------- but one has to tell this the European and Travel Agencies and Booking Offices, that same-day short connections to international arrivals are available. We are complaining about "lacking funds for more marketing activities" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- meaning (shortened) budgets for more (official) trips and "invitations". But, when I ask in European Travel Agencies or Booking Offices for informations particularly about "Visayas" .....?? The common answer is "Sorry, we don't know" ..... "Sorry, we don't have". On the other hand, whom you can meet in "Travel Marts", "Tourism Fairs", etc. ?? Some "Officials" who don't know their own country! To be in the "Internet" is not enough ..... one has to tell those (interested) people in potential market places where (helpful) informations for travelers can be found. Internet surfing costs time and money! On the other hand, what I can read in some (official) descriptions, brochures, flyers, some more "papers" and in "sites" in the "net" ..... let me sometimes doubt, if those "destinations" are in the same Philippines as where I am living. We are lamenting about "less guests from Europe", ------------------------------------------------------------------- but some of our "Managers" in upper (price) class establishments are very "active" in searching for ways "how to shoo away potential guests": ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- They forget that a decision for a destination is not just influenced by a flowery description, it is also the question about (here sometimes very) oblique-angled relation between price and (service) quality. When guests realize that their Travel Agency or Booking Office used a much higher rate than "local", then are not only those potential "guests" lost for a destination. In Europe and other "Barangays in Global Village" is it not usual to charge "guests" from other place according to their (higher) "income" ..... or do you believe that Filipinos will have there "discounts" ????? And we need five to ten times more efforts to "win back" lost passengers than to attract a destination for new. But after overcharging is it indeed difficult to trust (us) again! T I P S - for - T R I P S ============================================================================= Check - particularly during "peak" seasons - in your currency published "all inclusive" etc. offers in brochures and catalogues with the "direct" offered packages of Hotels and Resorts. Here is "Internet" a very good source! During European (and other) Summer - when we have "lean" season - prices are then "limbo calculated" - HOW LOW CAN I GO ? - is it better to buy from your Airline just a flight ticket. Except during Chirstmas and New Year, Chinese New Year (February), Holy Week or Japanes Golden Week, most time we have overhang in capacity and you may select from the local palete of "Specials". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Even if you arrive at MACTAN (CEBU) INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT without any reservations, never mind! At the Information counter(s) you can arrange bookings. Or you cross the street and spend your "first" night in the Casino Hotel WATERFRONT and call local Travel Agencies, Hotels, Resorts, etc. for "local" offers and "Specials". Ask for "Discount"! Your will be surprised, how much you can "save" from your estimated travel budget. Arrange "Land" transportation or "Boat" reservations not with so-called " C O L O R U M " - ---------------------------------------- those smart people offering any kind of "service(s)" but don't have licenses, franchise, papers and required documents, permits, etc. for their (business) activities. Be careful, also staff (and Managers) in some "Top" establishments are dealing or are connected with "COLORUM". On the other hand, "COLORUM" operations (or "tolerance") are lucrative "side-lines" for some - even or because - "higher" ranked "officials" ..... Check with the respective Regional Directions of D o t - Department of Tourism - for "accredited" establishments: Resorts, Hotels, Pension Houses, Restaurants, Shops, Transport Services (Air - Sea - Land), Travel Agencies, Tour Operators, Tour Guides, etc. How some "Karaoke", "Clubs" and "Bars" got "stickers", are other (sometimes unanswered) questions. Particularly when you buy "souvenirs", handicraft and other products from local production, you can save a lot! Go to "Public Markets" or go "Window Shopping" and visit shops in Cities and towns. There you will get interesting items at "real" (local and not "tourist") price(s). Destination ----> " V I S A Y A S " ====================================================================== CEBU is the gate-way to Central Philippines, with its three regions and a lot of islands: Eastern Visayas (VIII) - with Leyte and Samar, Central Visayas (VII) - with Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental, Western Visayas (VI) with Panay, Guimaras and Negros Occidental. " N e g r o s " --- once more ?? Yes ..... because this fourth-largest island in the Philippine archipelago is "unique" in the entire country: -------------------------------------------------------- The island is not only "divided" into two Provinces "Oriental" and "Occidental" - this is not the "thing", Leyte, Samar, Panay have more provinces - but its two island halves are in different Regions - Oriental in "Central Visayas", Occidental in "Western Visayas". The two Provinces are - not just in terms of "Tourism" (Promotion) - "Hinterland" of their respective Region! " I N B O U N D " -------------------------------------------------------------------- From Europe are comfortable - nearly "direct" - connections (and "by-pass" of MANILA) available via SINGAPORE - with connecting service by SILK AIR, KUALA LUMPUR - connections with MALAYSIAN, HONG KONG - connections with CATHAY and PHILIPPINE AIRLINES; from U S A - also to use from Europe - via TOKYO and OSAKA - connections with PHILIPPINE AIRLINES. "Fastcraft" connections to "Visayas" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catamarans with capacity up to 350 passengers and cruising speed up to 35 knots - 65 kilometers per hour - are departing mostly from Pier 4 (from the so-called "Fastcraft Terminal"), some from Pier 5 (south of Cebu's International Port) or from Pier 1 ("Legaspi", near Fort San Pedro and Cebu City's center) Departures are daily till late afternoon - and so as short connection to most of international flights - available to: C A M O T E S , L E Y T E , B O H O L , S I Q U I J O R , and N E G R O S - Oriental. Even including a stop-over in "Cebu", this connections are much more comfortable than via MANILA with its (expensive) changes between NAIA - NINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT and several DOMESTIC TERMINALS. Except "guests" of the national flag carrier - but only, if you are departing AND (!) arriving passenger - all other have to use overcrowded roads o u t s i d e ! When you read about ..... =========================================================================== " C E B U " ------------------------------------------ Consider, that the "Destination" of "Cebu" means the whole area of " M e t r o - C e b u " with the Cities of Cebu, Lapu Lapu, Mandaue, (soon) Talisay, and neighbouring Towns. In the "center" of this destination, most Beach Resorts are located along the eastern shoreline of Cebu's neighbouring island MACTAN (with its International Airport) - f i f t e e n (15) kilometers away from Cebu City's center! Particularly if you prefer to "explore your destination", --------------------------------------------------------------- check - for calculation of "extras" - which establishments offer "FREE" shuttles like "Shangri La's", also to Cebu City. Other "transfers" are very expensive and most overcharged! CEBU's "TOURIST ZONE" is concipated for (Asian) short-time vacationers, not comperable with Hawaii, Florida, the Mediteranean coastlines, Canary islands ..... with their amenities also outside of walls, fences of (isolated) Resorts and Hotels, far far away from City Centers and not only watersport oriented activities. Within walking distance are the most interesting points and historic places from the Spanish era in the City of Cebu. Read more in "Joe's Tales from Visayas" B O H O L --------------------------------------- The (remaining 1,263) "Chocolate Hills" are located in the center of the tenth-largest island, easy to reach via the island and provincial capital TAGBILARAN or via TUBIGON, the other "fastcraft" port on its north-western coast. The oldest stone-built churches in the Philippines are along Bohol's south-west shoreline. Visit DAUIS Church - near the bridge to PANGLAO Island (with Bohol's diving spots) - and sip from its spring beside the altar: sweet water below (!) sea-level. B O R A C A Y --------------------------------------- This to be "overdeveloped" endangered, but only temporary "overcrowded" island - well known because of its famous white, powdered fine sand, is located in front of PANAY's north-west tip - fifteen to thirty minutes transfer-time from CATICLAN on board of "romantic" (?) pump-boats. Back-bone in "public" transportation within the island is still the dinosaur (and heavy air polluter) "Tricycle" - noisy and stinky motor-bikes with side-cars. The nearest airfield is in CATICLAN, but useable just for small aircraft up to round five tons maximum take-off weight. Boracay's Airport is in Aklan's Province capital KALIBO, with flight connections to MANILA and CEBU. Transfers to CATICLAN in more or less one-and-a-half hour. Particularly during (European and other Summer) June to September, when the wind is blowing from south-west, special "Specials" are offered and "normal" rates are sometimes below fifty percent of "regular". Ask for "discount"! " V i s a y a s " - "Dollar" or "Peso" - D e s t i n a t i o n -------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are planning your vacations in this very interesting destination with its so different regions and a lot to offer - not only for "explorers" - please consider, that Travel Agents and Booking Offices are - of course - more interested to sell "Dollar"-Destinations with much higher commissions than (simple) and lower rated "Peso"-Resorts and Hotels. So, arrange your reservations "direct" or make bookings here in Visayas, the (so-called) "PREMIER DESTINATION OF THE COUNTRY" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consider, that Metro Cebu is - after Metro Manila - the second-largest melting pot in the Philippines; a magnet for numerous migrants from other islands in the country ..... on search for a "better" life. The growth rate of the population in the Philippines is in average nationwide round two per cent - in a metropolis is it much higher. It means, you have to add to the present more than seventy million Filipinos every year the population of an area like "Metro Cebu". Metro Cebu with its population and its land area like Austria's capital VIENNA or the City of MUNICH with its neighbouring counties has in its Cities and Towns a population of much more than one-and-a-half million Yearly is to add the numer of citizens in Cities like Rosenheim or Landshut! Of course, development and reality are much faster than "Plannings" can follow, and "public" interests are - as usual also in other parts of "Global Village" - not only sometimes behind "profite" or "rendite" oriented priorities! While so-called "development" zones - like some reclamation areas - are turning to deserts, new are growing ..... The (ugly) scarfs of erosion - after "developing" (and deforesting of hills) - are then "Face liftings for the Queen of Southern Philippines". ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By the way, did you know, that Philippines has the third-largest number of English speakers in the world, surpassed only bt USA and uk? " P H I L I P P I N E - E N G L I S H " ========================================================================== Philippine English is a major variety of international English. What words are unique to Philippine English? Which words are acceptable in educated, standard, respectable Philippine English? Which words are not acceptable? Find out in a handy-selected list of "Philippine English" words, some funny, some serious, but all commonly used by Filipinos - both in the Philippines and around the globe: "A DICTIONARY OF PHILIPPINE ENGLISH" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by ISAGANI R. CRUZ and Ma. LOURDES BAUTISTA ISBN 971-27-0414-9 V I S A Y A N - H O S P I T A L I T Y ========================================================================= Since Philippines is a "Third World" country, it may not have all the usual amenities a traveler would expect to find in a "well developed" country. But what the country lacks in amenities, Filipinos and Visayan more than make up for in hospitality and friendliness. Our hospitality is a beautiful blend or two tranditions: one, Asian - that of the Malay race, the main stock from which Filipinos derive - and another, European - which the Spaniards brought along with their religion and culture. Some also say, it is the right "mixture" of three-and-a-half centuries "Spanish convent" and fifty years of "Holywood" ..... may-be the reason for prefering "Karaoke" and "Sing-along": Filipinos are "music lovers". Be our guest and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Visayan! Celebrate Fiestas with us - the most are during "our" Summer in May! COME AND VISIT MY COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE! |
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 Alfred N. "Joe" Bruckner Correspondent Travel Writer - Photographer Tourist Guide A B N C - NEWS & COMMENTARIES |
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