El Nido is located in the northernmost tip of Palawan and is part of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, the largest marine sanctuary in the entire Philippines. This group of islands is a perfect destination for divers and snorkelers as well as beach and island-hoppers with over 30 dive sites and more than 50 beaches and hidden lagoons. Aside from its diverse fauna, El Nido also showcases a striking geological wonder: limestone cliffs that were carved extensively from thick layers of coralline deposits.

“SEAIR is doing a unique service to the country in support of its tourism development goals. We are committed to the mission of bringing travelers from the Philippines’ gateways to its many island destinations,” said Avelino Zapanta, President of SEAIR.

SEAIR has also announced more flights to Basco, Batanes. It now flies twice daily every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and once daily every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday until June 14, 2009.

SEAIR is the nation’s second-oldest airline and has flown almost 3 million passengers to local destinations including Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Tablas (Romblon), Clark, Zamboanga, Jolo, Tawi-tawi. SEAIR also offers flights from Boracay and Puerto Princesa to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. SEAIR will soon fly to Masbate, Bicol.

SEAIR is extending its 14th anniversary promo with discounts of up to PhP 70,000,000. From April 1 to May 31, 2009, passengers get P1,400 discount per roundtrip on all fare classes and seats to any of its destinations when they book their flights online. Travel period for this promo is from June 15 to October 15, 2009. Travelers may log on to www.flyseair.com and type iflyseair14 in the promo code field to avail of the promo.

In addition to the fares, a PhP 100 environment fee will be collected from all Manila-El Nido passengers to be donated to the El Nido Foundation for the improvement of the quality of life in El Nido and the preservation of its natural environment.

SEAIR offers special service advantages to its passengers, such as in flights to Caticlan (Boracay). SEAIR passengers enjoy complimentary transfers from Caticlan airport to Boracay and vice versa, as well as shortest queues and check-in procedures at the airport, fastest baggage claim, and privileges for their boarding pass in partner establishments in Boracay and Manila.

Fly SEAIR and rediscover the joy of flight – speed, convenience, personalized Service! Go to www.FlySeair.com  for the best deals or call (+632) 8490100 for more information.

Puerto Princesa Palawan Underground River

Votation for the second stage began in January 7, 2009. A total of 261 nominees and multinational nominees have been classified into 7 groups which are: Landscapes/Ice Formations, Islands, Mountains/Volcanoes, Caves/Rock Formations/Valleys, Forests/National Parks/Nature Reserves, Lakes/Rivers/Waterfalls, and Seascapes. Palawan’s Underground River is at second place under the category of Forests/National Parks/Nature Reserves, with the Amazon River at no. 1 (source: Ranking © www.new7wonders.com). Only 77 of the 261 nominees will remain after voting ends in July 7, 2009. People who took part in the first stage of the poll may vote again in the ongoing second stage.

Sec. Ace Durano in Palawan

“Once again we urge Filipinos from all over the world to keep their eye on the prize. All the voting and support have already generated immense publicity for our country. It would indeed be a feat for the Philippines if the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park becomes one of the 7 phenomenal sights in the world,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.

Renowned as the world’s longest underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park also features a stunning limestone karst mountain landscape. Inside its large chambers are stalactites and stalagmites formations, while at the mouth of its cave
thrives a bustling ecosystem which includes monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels.

“We ask everyone to join us on this long but gratifying road to victory. But more than the people’s votes, we urge preservation and protection of our natural sites because they are the irreplaceable
wealth of our country,” said Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions.

After the top 77 candidates have been determined, the New7Wonders Panel of Experts, led by Prof. Dr. Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO, will then take over to select the 21
Finalists.

Voting will resume after selection of the 21 Finalists. The nominees will compete for vote against candidates within their category. Simultaneous with the voting, the New7Wonders World Tour will visit the 21 Finalists to give each a chance to be seen by the whole world.
The final 7 will be announced in 2011.

The Beauty of Palawan Philippines

The Cacao Pearl will occupy an entire private island, with 124 acres of lush rainforest and towering coconut trees fringed with over a mile of pristine beaches, according to its operator, Cacao Resorts. This new approach to resort-communities is nestled within the eco-tourism destination of Palawan – Philippines, a stunning eco preservation area within sailing distance of two UNESCO World heritage sites & four marine reserves. The Cacao Pearl is an eco-chic low-density boutique resort concept promising sustainable development and sustainable enjoyment — designer homes with zero carbon cost, 5 stars service, an infinity pool, wreck & reef diving, a secluded destination spa, organic gardens & bar, restaurant, private media rooms and enough delicious design details to delight the most discerning guest.

“Forget old luxury, welcome green luxury!” said Joel Cere, CEO of Cacao Resorts.” Cacao Resorts is offering eco-aware urban escapees the luxury of private island home ownership with the launch of a truly guilt-free investment: The Cacao Pearl, Palawan.” “In a world of homogenous, over-developed concrete destinations, disinterested developers, fake themes and over-priced mini-bars, token green gestures and disenfranchised communities, Cacao Resorts provide an authentic experience for the grown-up backpacker, a guilt-free option for the traveler with conscience, a breath of fresh tropical air for sophisticated urban escapees.”

Designed exclusively for Cacao Resorts by former film art director, Antonio Calvo (”Love Actually,” “Alexander”, “Pride & Prejudice”.) 60 off-plan private residences await discriminating investors, who want to own a truly chic eco-home with a conscience and investment-grade security with an option to buy, re-sell or rent.

Cacao Resorts operates a “greenprint” for operations and, with development partners Barefoot Investments and Abode Management, benefit from sustainable construction methods employed, ethical management practice observed, and ecologically responsible operations as standard. That means 100% renewable energy, and for the first time in the hospitality industry, 100% of the resort’s net operating profits will be used to support local environmental and social programs. You can now own a truly chic eco-home with a conscience and investment-grade security.

Priority is given to buyers with more than just a financial interest in the adventure. “We are now accepting interested buyers for our guilt-free residences in South East Asia,” added Cere.

For more information, please visit the dedicated information website at www.barefootsophistication.com , the resort website www.cacaoresorts.com and venture partner website at www.barefootinvestments.com

Sales & commercial enquiries: Matt Morrison: +1 (310) 928 6560, mattm@cacaoresorts.com

About Cacao Resorts & the Cacao Pearl
Cacao Resorts manages and markets eco-chic resorts, retreats and communities in some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Each Cacao Resorts community is inspired by a stunning location and its unique history; crafted by a team drawn from media and film, architecture and environment, property and finance. Cacao Resorts is offering eco-aware urban escapees the luxury of private island home ownership with the launch of a truly guilt-free investment. 100% of the resort’s net operating profits will be used to support local environmental and social programs. For more information, please visit www.cacaoresorts.com .

Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary holds probably the densest population of the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia in the wild.

In July 2008, the cockatoo population for the first time since project implementation in 1998 passed the 200 individual mark. Rasa Island was declared Wildlife Sanctuary through Presidential Proclamation 1000 in 2006 issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The small coral island is not only the core habitat of the Philippine cockatoo, but also of other globally threatened or near-threatened bird species.

Rasa is located in Narra, which is now called the “World Capital of the Philippine Cockatoo”.

Rasa Island is the pilot site of the Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program (PCCP) under the Katala Foundation which is currently its 10th year anniversary this week.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is promoting birdwatching as an alternative activity that could promote the Philippines both locally and abroad under its Adventure Philippines Campaign.

Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano recently launched the first volume of a guidebook called “Birdwatching in the Philippines” which featured Rasa Island.

This is also part of the worldwide promotion that the DOT is undertaking to show to both Filipino and foreign wildlife enthusiasts the various birdwatching destinations in the Philippines.

Other top birdwatching spots covered in the DOT’s “Birdwatching in the Philippines” project are Mt. Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna; Subic Bay in Zambales; Candaba Marsh in Pampanga; Northern Sierra Madre Nature Park in Cagayan; St. Paul’s National Park in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu; Rajah Sikatuna National Park in Bohol; Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon and Mt. Apo National Park in Davao.

The record shows that more than 600 bird species are identified throughout the Philippines in which 200 of them are endemic to the country.

Top officials of SEAIR led by its president Avelino Zapanta, together with Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes, Rep. Antonio Alvarez and Puerto Princesa City Vice Mayor Lucilo Bayron led the ribbon cutting ceremony held at the city’s airport terminal building prior to the inaugural flight.

”We are Palawan’s airline”, Zapanta told PNA, citing that for several years that Palawan has been its exciting destination helping spur development in the tourism sector in the province.

”Our program is flying from paradise to paradise”, he added.

He said their airline will bring in tourists from the country’s gateways to the province’s exotic tourism destination.

Zapanta said the opening Puerto Princesa-Kota Kinabalu route is a manifestation of the airline’s commitment being designated as the official government’s carrier in the Brunei- Indonesia- Malaysia- Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP EAGA).

He recognized that previously, a regional airliner already serviced the said international route, but did not prosper.

He said they have implemented “total system approach”, looking on the operational deficiencies like relatively high service and airport charges.

But he believed that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and local government officials will support them by declaring tax holiday on tourists and businessmen coming from BIMP-EAGA member countries in an effort to boost the tourism industry of Palawan.

Meanwhile, Gov. Reyes congratulated the SEAIR for embarking a historic international flight to Malaysia allowing passengers to visit world-renowned destinations in Palawan, whose dilemma is geographical isolation.

Reyes assured the SEAIR management to help in the production of tourism promotion materials in its flight in an effort to sustain the airline operation.

He said the new route will promote air linkages towards enhancement of trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange between two areas.

He recalled that BIMP-EAGA leaders agreed to have a direct flight between this city and four member countries will increase air traffic and trade linkages.

The leaders approved the granting of Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights that legalizes the facilitation of passengers and cargo services in the airports of Manado and Tarakan in Indonesia; Labuan and Miri in Malaysia; and Puerto Princesa, Palawan and General Santos in the Philippines.

The governor also aired his intention to help SEAIR’s promotional campaign through inclusion of its tourism marketing promo dubbed as “Visit Palawan in 2009”.

The “Visit Palawan in 2009” will be tentatively launched this coming December 15, he said.

In order to drum up the exchange of tourists, Reyes said the provincial government is contemplating to grant travel incentives traveling in the said route.

”We could provide them 2 to 3 days stay in our province and grant travel incentives to them” he said.