Philippine Kayak Marathon

Entitled Kayak Explore Cebu-Bohol crossing, the 3rd run will follow the route of Mactan Island to Bohol, where paddlers will cross the 125-km scenic route passing through a motley of islets, coves, mangroves and river deltas. The DOT together with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) is supporting the event.

“We have 7,107 islands, with infinite possibilities for kayaking adventure. Exploring the span of our clear waters surely opens travelers to the unique splendor of our country,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

The tourism chief also commended different sectors for their active participation in boosting the eco-adventure package, “The Philippines can undoubtedly become the Kayaking Capital of Southeast Asia with these overwhelming support from the private sector and local communities.”

Eduardo Jarque Jr., Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions highlighted the country’s bountiful natural waterways, “This unique eco-adventure allows tourists inside secret coves, inlets, channels that lead to stunning views of our mangrove forests, limestone cliffs, unspoiled coastlines and other exciting mysteries around our islands.”

With more than 100 participants expected to attend the three-day event, Kayak Explore Cebu and Bohol will begin from Punta Engano following a 5-km coastal run along Mactan Island passing through resorts and other sites, then on to Olango, down to Getafe, Bohol. The race will then move eastward towards Panglao passing through coastwise and municipal waters; stopping by at designated control points where local packages and tours may be introduced.

Apart from the kayak marathon, the event will also conduct kayaking clinics, 5-km novice races, eco-touring flotilla, island hopping, moonlight paddling. A mini fair of eco-tour packages such as the New Adventure-Kayak Hundred Islands, Historic Manila Bay Kayaking Adventures; Luxury Kayaking Safari in Bacuit Bay, Palawan, and Bohol Extreme Packages: Kayamping (Kayak and Camping) will be held on site.

Kayaking Philippines was introduced to major foreign buyers at the Philippine Travel Exchange ’09 (PHITEX).

One of the world’s best kayak sites and trails found in the Philippines include, Pinacanauan River, Hundred Islands, Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan, Caramoan Peninsula, Northern Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Siargao Island, and Samal Island.

The Caramoan Peninsula offers a view of limestones, rugged coastlines, and white sand-ringed islands, complemented by a stunning view of underwater marine life by snorkeling around shallow waters.

For the high-spending market, the DOT offers Luxury Kayaking in Palawan. Known for its idyllic beaches, lagoons and caves, Palawan enjoins travelers to kayak in El Nido and Coron.

Cebu draws attention to paddling in Hilutungan Island and Marine Sanctuary, Sulpa Island, Olango Island and Mactan Island for moonlight kayaking.

Bohol, the frontier of ecotourism, lists several sites for kayaking which include, Banacon Island, Pandanon Island, Dumog and Ubay Islands, Abatan River, and Punta Cruz, which teem with mangrove forest and sandbars. Lagoon moonlight paddling is also offered in Panglao Island.

In Samar, the unspoiled waters of Marabut, and Sohoton Natural Bridge Park are featured. While Siargao has Guyam Island, Sohoton Cove, and Del Carmen Lagoon. Samal Island in Davao is likewise a kayak site, promising reefs, mountains and caves along the way.

For inquiries, call (02) 4687091; 0915-435-9321; email philkayaking@yahoo.com or visit www.justgo.ph/kayak; www.kayakphilippines.com.

Club Noah Isabelle

Not Club Noah Isabelle, located in the Northernmost tip of Palawan. It is one resort that truly communes with nature. Visitors will appreciate that its environmental philosophy is infused in every aspect of the resort’s operation.

Bougainvillea and hibiscus bloom all over the resort that is home to diverse collection of tropical flora and fauna. Islets around the resort are left untouched. You even have the chance to encounter a dragon or two.

Tourism Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano has been pushing for Palawan to become the model of eco-tourism in the country.

Club Noah Isabelle took its name from an old Spanish fort that sits near the harbor of Taytay, Puerto de Sta. Isabelle, named in honor of Spain’s Queen Isabelle II. It was built to protect the local townspeople from the 18th century pirates.

Nestled on Apulit Island, just off the municipality of Taytay in northeastern of Palawan, Club Noah Isabelle opened in 1995.

The roots of the resort date back to two decades ago, when a young Japanese adventurer teamed up with a Spanish-Filipino group to explore the water of Palawan, Cebu, Bohol and other coasts of the Philippine archipelago. The team established the first Japan-Philippine Dive Jamboree in the country.

In 1976, the team pioneered cruises in Apo Reef, Tubattaha, Cavite, Arena, Boracay, Balicasag, Panglao and the rest of Mindanao with the use of luxury yacht the M/V Sea Quest. The team later bought M/V Via Mare, 75-foot diving boat bringing the group to more places in the Philippines.

In 1979, the team ventured toward the westernmost islands of Palawan, now known as Kalayaan Islands. While crossing Calavite Point in Mindoro, the boats propeller got tangled in fishnets. They took shelter on nearby island, popularly known as El Nido.

Abandoning the dive boat business after the last of their boats went under, the divers and the boat’s crew built El Nido Resort on Miniloc Island in 1982.

Intended as 15-cottage dive camp for Japanese adventurers, the beauty and splendors of El Nido spread like wild fire.

El Nido Resort found itself coping with an avalanche of clients, both domestic and foreign, despite the prohibited cost of going there. The visitors did not mind staying in the crowded 30 cottages and sharing bathroom.

In 1993, an evolution of sorts took place. The same people formed a company they first called Club Noah, later renamed Club Noah Isabelle.

In 1995, the first GSM “Tawag Center” or Public Calling Office (PCO) was set up by Smart Communications in Club Noah to link up the business with the outside world.

The resort has 50 cottages called cabanas, thatched with cogon, giving a touch of Tahitian beach house built over the water with the balcony. Sixteen of these cabanas are located on the east side, 14 on the west side, encircling the cove.

At least 20 of these are two-story family cottages with two rooms fronting the west side. The family cottages and the cabanas are air-conditioned, with hot water and intercom.

The large cross on top of the rock hill is the symbol of the resort. The cross, faces the route to El Nido.

The clubhouse where the main dining room is housed, has a triangular roof. A mini-swimming pool with Jacuzzi is right in front. There are also several dining areas and bars scattered throughout the resort.

Smorgasbord or a full-course of seafood or continental cuisine is served at the clubhouse and floating restaurant. A variety of rice gruel, sushi, sashimi, as well as barbeque and fondue are available.

Rates are packaged. They include buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These are usually served at the main dining room, unless the resort is hosting a picnic, lunch or sunset dinner on another island.

The resort also has a supervised children’s play area, a 300-meter beach cove, a 350-meter west beach, fresh water supply, medical clinic and babysitting, laundry, mail and fax services.

The unique Rock Bar, which can be reached by climbing 109 steps, also boast of a spectacular view of the bay. El Capitan has a pool table and is great for unwinding. The newly built Nirvana Water Pavilion offers a great view of the West Beach area.

The club provides guests with an exciting variety of recreational and sports activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, water-skiing, kayaking, island hopping, Taytay town tour, fishing, camping, trekking, bicycling, basketball, table tennis, billiards, darts and river cruise.

Other activities include a tour to Lake Danao, barbeque party and disco at the Noa-Noa island. Isla Blanca delights you with picnicking and snorkeling, while the Pabellon caves include a natural swimming pool.

Isabella’s seven charms include Silanga Island (Noa-Noa) where you can drink and dance at the bar; Pabellon Island which made up with of marble; Guimbaludan, nicknamed Isla Blanca because of its white-sand beach; Dinot Rocks, designed as the sanctuary of the marine life; Tamisan River, otherwise called Rio Verde, good for kayaking, fishing beneath thick mangroves; Taytay town, formerly called Estrella del Norte, noted for squid fishing and cashew nuts; and Lake Danao, which is a nice spot for bird-watching.

The event is part of the DOT-National Capital Region (NCR) promotions program to expand awareness on Metro Manila as an ultimate tourist destination in this part of Southeast Asia Pacific region.

The ceremonies were opened by DOT Undersecretary Oscar P. Palabyab and NCR Director Reynato L.Chua.

Palabyab said that while the project would present the 17 local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila capsules, the show-case would be a one-stop venue where the visitors would have the opportunity to discover the many historical treasures of Intramuros, a major historical site and center of culture in the country.

”At the same time, visitors can experience the best Metropolitan Manila has to offer – its people, dances, cuisine, arts, music and festivals, ” Palabyab said.

Metropolitan Manila is composed of the cities of Caloocan, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela and the municipality of Pateros.

At the same time, Chua said the highlights of the event are cultural presentation s featuring choir groups and municipal bands, street dancing and product demos.

Local government and private establishments in these areas have committed their support in creating the most authentic booth designs depicting their properties and products, to make sure the showcase represents the best of the region.

The staging of this event has consistently pushed for the development of new attractions and products such as medical, health and well ness tourism, Chua said .

It is also a venue to reflect the synergy and continuing institutional development efforts of LGUs, private sector and community.

The Metropolitan Manila’s officials are confident that the event would make the viewers more aware of NCR’s rich culture through its people, dances, cuisine, arts, music and festivals,

2009 MIss Earth Beauty Pageant in Boracay

Catherine Untalan, Miss Earth Philippines executive director, said that they have been urging several stakeholders in this resort island to ensure that Boracay is clean once the candidates from all over the world arrive on November 18.

The Miss Earth Philippines recently led hundreds of volunteers from the Boracay Special Protection Office, Malay local government, Philippine Dental Association-Boracay, Philippine Coast Guard-Auxiliary, Boracay Foundation Incorporated and the Boracay executives in a coastal clean-up activity.

The activity was in coordination with the Agham group dubbed as Bora-Kay Linis 2009 (Boracay so clean).

“The Miss Earth Foundation finds Boracay as the appropriate venue for the pageant night. We hope that every sector in Boracay would cooperate as we are promoting not only Boracay but also we would give impression to the world that we can be good stewards of the environment,” Untalan said.

This year’s Philippine representative to the Miss Earth pageant is Sandra Seifert from Negros Occidental province.

Philippine Department of Tourism

Secretary Ace Durano recently signed an agreement with Birdlife International’s Head of Conservation Richard Grimmet, to firm up their support to protect this endangered bird species, endemic to the island of Cebu.

“Preventing Extinctions is a global programme of Birdlife, pushing for awareness and involvement in conservation of rare birds. Here have introduced the concept of Species Champions, concerned parties and individuals, who will provide funding for programs and establishing policies for the protection of bird species,” said Grimmet.

Among the lost bird species only recently rediscovered, the Cebu Flowerpecker was feared extinct for much of the 20th Century. In 1992, it was rediscovered in forest fragments, but it remains critically endangered. Funding from the DOT will provide initial financial support for efforts to conserve and protect this rare bird.

Durano said, “Being a developing country, the Philippines puts great pressure on the environment. Our growing population means there is always the demand to create livelihood, make sure of present resources, which may have impacts if not managed well. We wish to further educate communities on the importance of caring and protecting our natural resources, which remains the most viable asset of our country.”

“Birdwatching as an ecotourism activity is a significant valuable resource we wish to further tap in bringing tourism traffic to remote areas in the country. This relationship with Birdlife International’s program allows us to further capitalize on this advocacy to strengthen untapped regions and localities,” Durano stressed.

Also present during the signing were British tour operators specializing in birdwatching activities. They will visit Tabunan and Alcoy, where the Cebu Flowerpecker is found.

The Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (CBCF) is the Species Guardian for the Cebu Flowerpecker, DOT’s counterpart in working towards the implementation and execution of programs for conservation.

Lisa Marie Paguntalan, CBCF Research Director and a passionate environmentalist, shared, “It is heartwarming to know that we are not alone in efforts for the conservation of this bird species, endemic to the country.”

“This is the first time for a government agency to sign up as a Species Champion,” she noted, adding that such undertaking is another motivation for others organizations and agencies around the world, to support the cause.

The elusive bird was chosen as the flagship species for this year’s recent British Birdwatching Fair. Organizer Martin Davies said, “We have chosen the Cebu Flowerpecker as the emblem of this year’s birding fair because it provides hope and inspiration not to give up on lost species. We are delighted that the Philippines Ministry of Tourism has now become the BirdLife Species Champion for this forest jewel.”