Photo Credit: GMA network twitter page

Twenty-five-year-old University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroon Jody “JB” Saliba was all smiles after getting the top title in this year’s Mr. World Philippines. The finals of the event were held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila in Pasay last Wednesday.

Besides snagging the Mr. World Philippines title, Candidate #14 JB also received numerous special awards, namely: Best Skin by Cathy Valencia Advanced Skin Clinic, Mr. Blue Water Day Spa, Mr. TechnoMarine, and Mr. Bench Body.

JB takes to his social media account to express his gratitude to his supporters telling them, “I am grateful for all the trust, support, and love that you all have given to me.” During Mr. World Philippines 2018, JB represented Olongapo City, where he was born and bred. He gives them a shoutout in his post, stating in a mix of English and Filipino, “I was so happy to see that so many people from Olongapo got to come and watch and show their full force support.” In JB’s words about the entire experience, he said, “Everything escalated too quickly and I am still overwhelmed since this still feels surreal.”

The competitive baseball player will be representing the Philippines at the international Mr. World 2018 competition in Manila within January 2019.

Among the other winners also included Mr. Supranational Philippines 2018 Marco Poli, Mr. Eco Philippines 2018 Robin Hanrath, Mr. Multinational Philippines 2018 Denver Hernandez, First Runner-up Ameen Sardouk, and Second Runner-Up Wilfred Placencia.

Mr. World Philippines 2018 encountered numerous scheduling issues throughout its duration. Initially, it was scheduled for September 25 until disruptions from Typhoon Ompong, then, rumors spread that it would be on the same night of Miss World Philippines 2018 on October 7. Finally, organizers announced the event to be on the night of October 23 telecasted on GMA-7.

Source: canadianinquirer.net

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CLARK FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is seeking to integrate tourist destinations in the neighboring provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales to sweeten the pot for the cruise tourism program of the Subic Bay Freeport and create inclusive growth in the region.

In a briefing with the Pampanga Press Club at the Park Inn by Radisson Clark recently, SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma said there is a need for local communities in Central Luzon to open up more attractions and strengthen each other’s tourism offerings through tactically-coordinated programs.

“Our strategy is for Subic to become the anchor cruise ship destination, but it’s actually not only for Subic but for the inclusive growth of all of us as well,” Eisma explained.

She pointed out that cruise ship passengers disembarking in Subic have frequented various destinations in Clark Freeport, as well as attractions like Las Casas De Acuzar in Bataan and mango farms in Zambales.

“The idea is to come up with curated experiences that we can commonly sell to tourists,” Eisma said. “Zambales will have agro-tourism, Bataan and Tarlac their historical sites, while we can bring cruise ship passengers for a food trip in Pampanga to sample the popular local cuisine.”

“There is a lot of opportunity, and a lot of dreams that we can realize through the cruise ship program. The key is complementation and the strategy is to sell your own destinations as well as those of your neighbors,” she added.

As of now, the SBMA’s cruise ship tourism program is running smoothly, Eisma said, with Subic hosting 17 ship arrivals since February and expecting up to 10 more arrivals before the end of the year.

She added that Subic has already confirmed the arrival of 20 trips for next year, including “Spectrum of the Seas,” a 5,000-capacity cruise ship being built for launching next year by Royal Caribbean International, one of the biggest cruise lines in the world.

Last month, the Central Luzon Regional Development Council cited the SBMA for developing Subic into a premier cruise ship destination in the country, and noted that cruise ship arrivals in Subic this year have generated more than P85-million worth of economic activity.

These came in the form of income from cruise ship passengers’ visits to theme parks, local transportation costs, port fees, purchase of local products, dining, and other services provided by tourism-related establishments.

To build up the Subic cruise ship program, Eisma said the SBMA is seeking the approval of a visa-free scheme for tourists arriving at the Subic Bay Freeport that would also invigorate the tourism industry in neighboring areas.

She said the Subic agency is now working with the Office of the President and concerned agencies to amend Executive Order 271 signed by President Fidel Ramos in 1995 that allows foreign nationals visiting Subic to stay within the free port for a maximum of 14 days without a visa.

“I’m very, very hopeful that our visa-free proposal will be granted soon, because once that happens Central Luzon can expect a deluge of tourists and we would surely get our hands full,” Eisma said.

She said the SBMA is continuously working with officials of Clark Freeport and government executives in Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac to plan out tourism cooperation programs, including the hosting of the Southeast Asian Games next year.

In the same forum, SM Clark Public Relations Manager Venus Manalang noted that the mall chain has been accommodating cruise ship passengers who arrived from the Subic Freeport and expressed support to SBMA plans to promote tourism in Central Luzon.

“If the SM Olongapo City branch opens their doors earlier than the scheduled work hours to accommodate cruise ship passengers, the SM Clark branch will also find ways to heighten the interests of cruise ship passengers who will visit our branch,” Manalang said.

Source: manilastandard.net

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By Jonas Reyes

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Wilma T. Eisma planning to include tourist destinations in Pampanga to the itinerary of cruise ship passengers visiting this premier Freeport.

Photo Credit: subicnewslink.blogspot.com

During a press briefing at the Park Inn by Radisson Clark on Tuesday, Eisma bared the plans to fully utilize the province of Pampanga in terms of tourist destinations amid the rising number of cruise ships visiting the Freeport.

“That is what the SBMA was planning all along, to develop the Subic Bay Freeport into a premier cruise ship destination in the Philippines, and hence the gateway to other tourism destinations in the region,” Eisma said.

“SBMA has already sent busloads of cruise ship passengers to areas in Pampanga, especially in SM Clark. Pampanga, known for its delicacies, is certainly a gold mine when it comes to food tourism,” Eisma said.

Eisma also bared that a 5,000 passenger ship operated by Royal Caribbean has scheduled a visit to Subic Bay Freeport.

Eisma said that usual areas visited by cruise ship passengers such as the Subic Bay Freeport, Las Casas De Acuzar in Bataan, and attractions in Zambales may have encounter difficulties accommodating the large volume of visitors.

SM Clark Public Relations Manager Venus Manalang said that the mall is willing to support the plans of the SBMA in its cruise ship endeavors.

“If SM Olongapo City branch opens their doors earlier than the scheduled work hours, the SM Clark branch will also find ways to pique the interests of cruise ship passengers who will visit our branch,” Manalang said.

Seventeen cruise ships have so far docked at the Freeport, and generated some P85 million in revenues.

Source: news.mb.com.ph

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By: Yssa Jalmasco

Photo Credit: introtraveler.weebly.com

MANILA, Philippines — Bataan’s “sunniest place”, Morong Star Beach Resort and Hotel received two different awards on Saturday (October 20) from two prestigious award-giving bodies.

Hailed at the Philippine Buyer’s Choice Award 2018 as the number one beach resort and hotel in Bataan, the beach resort was recognized for its excellence in products, services, quality market awareness, innovative marketing prices, and value pricing.

A plaque and certificate of recognition presented to Morong Star Beach Resort and Hotel for winning Recreational Beach Resort and Hotel in Bataan at the Best Choice Awards 2018 gala nite in Quezon City on October 20, 2018

Meanwhile, Best Choice Awards 2018 also acknowledged Morong Star as Recreational Beach Resort and Hotel in Bataan for its excellence in company reputation, experience, integrity, product quality, and customers’ trustworthiness.

Float your stress away in the deep pool, a fresh alternative to the beach

Situated at Sitio Panibatuhan, Poblacion, Morong, Bataan, the award-winning beach resort faces the West Philippine Sea with its clear and calm waters.

City-weary travelers can expect an ultimate getaway experience with enjoyable theme parks and swimming pool facilities set in a picture-perfect sunset.

Take a deep dive and discover Morong’s underwater wonders

An array of adventure including kayaking, banana boat, and flying fish water rides and thrilling zip line rides, await tourists.

Nature lovers will enjoy scuba diving in Morong’s beautiful dive spots with breathtaking underwater sceneries.

Experience the thrill of a zip line ride over the clear waters of Morong

“I think ang edge namin sa iba, pagka pumunta ka, almost lahat ng kailangan mo ay nandoon na para sa isang resort. Para tayong isang theme park; so, kumpleto na,” said Jun Babera, a representative of the beach resort.

With its affordable accommodation packages and excellent service, Morong Star continues to receive high satisfaction ratings from its guests.

Only a few hours from the capital, travelers driving from Manila to Bataan can take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to Olongapo City.

From there, ride a yellow jeepney head straight to SM Olongapo Victory Liner terminal. In front of Harbor Point Mall, ride a mini bus or jeepney leading to the Morong town proper. From there, you can ride a tricycle to the venue.

Plan ahead your next great beach break and weekend getaways at a great price.

Come to visit “Bataan’s Sunniest Place”, Morong Star Beach Resort And Hotel, a must-see on every beach lover’s bucket list.

Source: untvweb.com

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Photo Credit: klia2.info

Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines has announced it is set to open three new routes to and from Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

The new routes are Clark-San Vicente (Palawan), Clark-San Jose (Mindoro) and Clark-Cauayan (Isabela) where PAL will utilize its brand-new 86-seater Bombardier Next-Generation Q400 turboprop aircraft which is fitted with six Economy Plus premium seats and 80 roomy Economy Class regular seats.

The Q400NG flights are operated by PAL’s affiliate airline PAL Express.

Services to San Vicente and San Jose begin Oct. 28, 2018, while flights to Cauayan start Oct. 30, 2018.

The PAL flights to San Vicente will commence with five weekly flights (on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday), and will increase to daily flights by Dec. 18, 2018. Flights depart Clark at 7 am, arriving in San Vicente one hour and 40 minutes later.

PAL is pioneering regular flights to the newly opened airport at San Vicente, a first class municipality and gateway to El Nido in north Palawan. San Vicente’s 14-kilometer, white sand Long Beach is a fast emerging tourist attraction.

Meanwhile, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro will have four weekly flights (on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday), leaving Clark at 11 am.

The return flight departs San Jose at 12:05 noon.

Vacation spots in San Jose include Aroma beach, Ambulong and White islands, ancient burial caves and shell divers at Ilin island and Mt. Iglit National Park.

Beginning Oct. 30, 2018, three times weekly flights (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) to Cauayan in the center of Isabela are intended to help hasten economic growth in the country’s second biggest province.

The Q400NG will leave Clark 11 am, arriving Cauayan 45 minutes later.

PAL used to fly the Manila-San Jose and Manila-Cauayan routes several decades back as two of the so-called missionary routes operated out of Manila.

The decision to make Clark the origin for new routes to Mindoro and Isabela reflects the flag carrier’s confidence in the emerging popularity of Central Luzon as an economic center and strategically important aviation gateway in its own right, observers said.

“PAL made a big decision to invest in Clark. The Clark International Airport is not just a stop-over or refueling station. Clark is our fastest growing hub airport, center of a network of flights that connects the country,” said PAL Express President Bonifacio Sam.

Source: manilastandard.net

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