TOURISM-RELATED NEWS

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Two big int’l. tourism events set in Manila

In a bid to address the worsening effects of SARS in the global tourism industry, some tourism ministers from over 70 archipelagic islands and states will converge in Manila for two big events—the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Asia-Pacific Ministerial Summit on Crisis Management on June 6-20 and the First Meeting of Archipelagic and Island States on June 20 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. “This meeting is a timely occasion to gather senior officials from tourism administrations and representatives of the industry and international organizations to exchange ideas and experiences, assess the effects of SARS and other crises that hit the region, and develop a collective strategy and action plan in the short and medium term,” said Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon who is also the chairman of the WTO-Committee on East Asia and the Pacific.

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MB, p. B-6

WOW Philippines! Gets good reviews abroad

With Secretary Richard Gordon at the helm of the Department of Tourism, the DOT “WOW Philippines!” campaign has received highly positive reviews both at home and abroad. With the campaign, the whole world starts to learn more about the Philippines’ major tourist destinations and its various attractions.

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MB. p. B-6

The week that was Bike Week

With the venue in a sprawling 2-hectare lot at Fort Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Bike Week Philippines 2003 showed the world that motorcycling had finally come of age in the Philippines. Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon even called it “ the first and biggest int’l. motorcycle event in our country.” Bike Week Philippines 2003 was made possible with generous support from the DOT, PAGCOR, Shell Philippines, BMW, Motorrad, Norkis Yamaha, and Manila Bulletin.

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MB, p. E-3

Biggest Flores de Mayo slated in Clark Field

Top Capacopangan beauties will be featured during the biggest Flores de Mayo Festival this Sunday at the parade grounds of the Clark Special Economic Zone. The Flores de Mayo will be sponsored by the Clark Dev’t. Corp. (CDC), in cooperation with the Angeles University Foundation (AUF).

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PS, p. F-4

PTA men wins round vs Barbers

A Manila judge yesterday stopped Robert Dean Barbers, whose appointment as general manager of the Phil. Tourism Authority is under question, from proceeding with charges of insubordination against 10 employes. The PTA employees accused Barbers of violating their constitutional right to due process as he acted with undue haste, partiality, vindictiveness and in total disregard of mandated administrative procedures, when he charged them with an administrative case early this month.

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M, p. 6

Embassies on hit list seek additional security

The United States, Britain, Australia and Norway yesterday sought additional security following the latest audio tape of al-Queda calling all Muslims to wage holy war against these countries. Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Albert  said the DFA has created a team under its protocol division that would directly coordinate with foreign embassies and law enforcement agencies.

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M, p. 1

Ryan Cayabyab returns to Intramuros

Ryan Cayabyab will return to Intramuros tomorrow at 7 p.m. with San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra (SMPO) and the San Miguel Master Chorale (SMMC) to premiere his new arrangements for popular love songs and themes. Billed as “Music on the Walls” it will feature “Lambingan” (a summer serenade) to be held at the Intramuros’ Baluarte Plano Luneta de Sta. Isabel, also called the ‘Intramuros: History Town Philippines.” Admission is free.

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MB, p. B-6

Global airlines team up to buy planes in bulk

In an effort to negotiate lower prices from aircraft manufacturers, airlines around the globe are teaming up to design and purchase identical planes. If these nascent efforts to standardize everything from in-flight entertainment to cockpit design succeed, industry officials said it could spark an industry wide trend.

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PS, p. C-5

QC mayor to lead Flores de Mayo

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. will be the hermano mayor of this year’s Flores de Mayo in Quezon City which will be held at the SM City-North EDSA complex on May 25.

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PS, p. 20

Opposition urges probe of $70-M Piatco extort try

Opposition senators will press for a Senate inquiry into allegations that President Arroyo’s lawyers had tried to extort $70 million from the Phil. Int’l. Air Terminals Co. (Piatco). Piatco is the proponent-builder of the controversial $650 million airport Terminal 3. Its contracts for the project have been declared null and void by the Supreme Court.

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PS, p. 9

Davao seen as business, tourism hub in the south

Davao City will soon be the convention and event hub in southern Philippines. This plan was recently revealed by tourism officials, as the Davao City Convention and Visitors Center (DCVC) is set to finally open in August in time for the 7^th Mindanao Trade Expo International and Travel Mart.

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MT, p. C2

Albay festival relives Mayon Volcano legend

The province of Albay in Bicol will celebrate the beauty of the world’s most perfect cone, the Mayon Volcano, in the month-long Magayon Festival with cultural, sporting and novelty events set in various parts of the province. For more information, contact 0917-3880247 or (052) 820-6314/15.

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MT, p. C2

Taiwan lifts ban on Pinoys after RP SARS de-listing

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas yesterday announced Taiwan has lifted its ban on Filipinos’ entry into the country shortly after the Philippines was taken off the list of countries affected by SARS by the World Health Organization (WHO). Sto. Tomas said the welcome development resumes the stalled deployment of Filipino workers to Taiwan, which employs a large number of foreign workers, a big fraction of whom are Filipinos.

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DT, p. 2; BW, p. 11

Aussie advisory

The Australian Embassy in the Phils. heightened yesterday its travel advisory, asking Australians to exercise extreme caution, particularly in commercial and public areas frequented by foreigners. The new advisory said threats against Australians and Australian interests in the Phils. are high, and it continues to receive reports that terrorist elements in the region are planning attacks.

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BW, p. 11

Santacruzan sa Intramuros

Witness a grand Santacruzan at the Intramuros on May 25, 2003, 5pm..(Ad)

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PDI, p. C5

Filipinos now more welcome abroad

Following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the Philippines as a SARS-free country, the Irish gov’t. promptly lifted the ban on Filipino athletes participating in next month’s special Olympics in Dublin. The Phils. expects four other countries—Libya, Cyprus, Kuwait and Bahrain—to lift their ban on the entry of Filipino workers.

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   T, p. 

They’re Back (photo)

Tourists flock back to the Philippines after it regained its SARS-free status. Most of those who arrived at the NAIA yesterday were from Taiwan, which is reeling from the crisis after a record 65 new cases and eight deaths were recorded in the wake of an island-wide travel alert issued by the WHO.

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Tonight, p. 2

European Art 25 exhibit at Grand Boulevard (photo)

Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos cuts the ceremonial ribbon formally opening the European Art 25 major exhibit at the Grand Boulevard Hotel recently.

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PS, p. F-4

Return to Purto Princesa 

Feature Article by Rina Jiminez-David.

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PDI, p. A9

Baraka Festival 2003

Feature article.

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MT, p. C2