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Asia’s dive capital

“The Philippines is to scuba divers what Switzerland is to skiers, Hawaii to surfers, and Nepal to mountaineers.” This is no Department of Tourism brochure speaking, but international magazine Action Asia Adventure Travel Guide.

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Anilao (photo)

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon tries the sites and sights of Anilao.

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Tubbataha Reef (photo)

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo explores Tubbataha Reef.

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13 Cabinet set to quit

Thirteen Cabinet members are set to step down next month to run for elective positions, mostly senator, in what could be the biggest shakeup of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s official family since her rise to power. Seven of them are running for senator:…Richard Gordon (tourism)..

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DOT notes increase in tourist arrival

October’s tourist arrivals in the Philippines rose 11.3 percent from the previous month to 167,673, continuing a recovery after the regional Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, the Deartment of Tourism declared. Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon noted that October marked the second consecutive month when tourist arrivals rose. In September, arrivals rose 2.5 percent, reversing a downtrend between Marc and August.

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Performance in WOW-Intramuros honors women int’l. playwrights

A special performance from the International Theatre Institue (ITI)-Philippines was the highlight of a sponsored dinner by Department of Tourism Sec. Richard Gordon for the delegates of this year’s Women Playwrights International (WPI) Conference, held for the first time in Asia. He also gave them a special sneak preview tour of the Light and Sound Intramuros Museaum.

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Kidnapping hurts tourism industry

The government should immediately d something about the rash of kidnappings in the country, especially in Metro Manila, as it is hurting tourism. What will attract tourists is the perception that the country is safe, Save Our Skies (SOS) movement said.

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Traders upbeat about tourism

Davao City—The city’s tourism sector is upbeat about better times as visitor confidence has apparently returned. The tourism industry here saw a big slump following the two bombings that killed more than 40 people last year and as a result of a fallout of the government’s military campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

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Gopo folk oppose project

Olongapo City—In contrast to the annual festive atmosphere of the past, no merriment is scheduled today, Nov. 24, on the 11^th anniversary of the turn-over of Subic by the Americans to the Philippine Government. Instead, Olongapo residents and former Subic volunteers are poised to stage a rally to oppose the port expansion project of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) under Chairman Felicito Payumo.

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Subic Port dev’t. ituloy

Inihayag kahapon ni Zambales Representative Ruben Torres na hindi dapat na makahadlang sa konstruksyon ng Container Port sa Subic Bay Development Authority ang umano ay pagkawasak ng seagrass sa pagsulong at progreso ng mga lalawigan sa Central Luzon.

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Payumo denies Subic project contrary to gov’t. privatization

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Felicit Payumo yesterday denied reports that the port modernization project at the Subic Bay Freeport was contrary to the government’s privatization policy that would put the Arroyo administration under necessary risk. Payumo said that as part of the seaport masterplan, the SBMA however will privatize the operations of the two berths.

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Longshots dominate DOT Queen City race

Cebu City—A slew of darkhorse entries topped yesterday the Department of Tourism’s 2^nd Queen City Run which started in Lapu-Lapu City and ended at the Asiatown I.T. Park in Lahug town. Alley Quisay exploited the absence of defending champion and SEA Games gold medallist Eduardo Buenavista  by ruling the men’s 13.4-km race and pocketing the P50,000 champion’s purse.

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A most unusual tourist spot is a model for the whole world

Dumaguete City—The “resorts” on Apo Reefs are not the fancy playgrounds one finds in Boracay or Palawan. And unusual for a popular destination, most of the residents still earn their living not from tourism but from fishing.

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In Intramuros (photo)

Members of a teenage dance group from Bislig City, Surigao del Sur perform their best during the opening ceremony of ‘Caraga Madyao Karadyao’, the Best of Region 13, held Friday afternoon at Clamshell 1, Intramuros, Manila. Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, Sen. Robert Barbers, and governors, mayors, and officials of the Regional Dev’t. Council and Regional Tourism Council of Caraga Region were present during the event.

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New metro theme park to highlight tourist scenes made famous by history

The Bagong Nayong Pilipino (BNP) will soon arise to its new location site alongside the historic Manila Bay that would visualize strong pride and sense of accomplishment for Filipino artistry and creativity. BNP executive director Charito Planas said that the park will highlight tourist scenes made famous by historical events and rich natural formations.

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Bagong Nayong Pilipino takes off

Related story.

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Davao City gov’t. launches yuletide tourism program

The city gov’t. and the business community are working together on Christmas events hoping these could boost tourism in time for the formal opening of the Davao International Airport’s new passenger terminal on Dec. 1

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Clark-Seoul flights lauded

Presidential son and Pampanga Vice Gov. Miguel ‘Mikey’ Arroyo hailed Asiana Airlines, South Korea’s second biggest flag carrier, for starting its twice-a-week flights between Incheon International Airport in Korea and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at the Clark special economic zone.

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Official Carrier (photo)

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the official carrier of the 11^th Travel Tour Expo 2004 which unfolds on Feb. 6-8, 2004 at Megatrade Halls 1 and 2 of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Travel Tour Expo is the one stop shop designed to provide the traveling public the ultimate travel shopping experience.

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‘Crab Capital’ cruise to attract more tourists

Buguey, Cagayan—This town, which prides itself as the “crab capital” of the Philippines, has added another come on to attract more visitors—a P495 for each person leisure cruise lasting four hours in Buguey River and the Balintang Channel. The visitor can have the Buguey mayor himself, Lloyd Antiporda, as the tourist guide aboard the boat, christened MB Princess of Buguey.

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Baguio City revives Grand Cañao festival

After hosting the 18^th national advertising congress and witnessing the opening of the 16^th branch of the Shoe Mart malls, residents in this upland resort on Sunday celebrated their cultural wealth and heritage with the revival of the “Grand Cordillera Festival.”

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Davao’s modern airport opens December 1

The new Davao City International Airport will be opened to the public on December 1, roughly nine months after a powerful blast scared away tourists and dampened investor sentiment in Mindanao’s premier city.

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“F4” at Ormoc’s first Pineapple Festival

Feature story.

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1^st Sports Tourism and Adventure Travel Show

Feature Story.

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