Top two on the most anticipated dive exhibitions in the world, the dive show attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year, and 60 exhibitors from the UK and all throughout Europe.

“Beyond tapping the market, our participation in this event also drives big dive operators to partner with us as they witness our huge marketing efforts and strong appeal to the UK divers,” said Durano.

The Philippine booth occupied a 50 square-meter space, positioned right at the entrance of the hall.

Private sectors which joined DOT include Atlantis Dive Resort, Expedition Fleet, Go Dive Philippines, Bahura Resort, Kansai Village, Marco Vincent, Sampaguita Dive Resort, Seaquest Dive Center, Ananyana Resort and Skylord Travel.

Covering the diving regions of Puerto Galera, Dumaguete, Verde Island, Maricaban Island, MoalBoal, Batangas, Subic Bay, Donsol, Sorsogon, Bohol, and Palawan, the private sectors presented the country’s varied sites that cater to all levels of divers.

“Our warm deep waters range from 22-31C, so divers may stay longer to enjoy wrecks, reefs, coral gardens, mile long walls, huge pelagic fishes, macro fishes, rare groupers, and other exotic marine life,” added Durano.

Aside from the private partners in the Philippine booth, 15 UK dive operators in the event also offered liveaboards, family tours, corporate packages, and adventure tours at their own individual booths dotting the entire venue.

The dive operators were Coral Cay Conservation, Dive Tours, Explorers, Geo Dive, Oxygene, Philippine Adventure Diving, Regal Dive, Scuba Discovery, Snooba Travel, Symbiosis, Tony Backhurst, Sea Butterfly, Ultimate Diving and Worldwide Dive and Sail and Dive Worldwide.

According to DOT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions, Eduardo Jarque, Jr., “Our partner for four years, and one of the world’s biggest operators, Dive Worldwide, is even bringing their videographer to the country to feature our underwater paradise.”

Dive Worldwide will send its videographer along with sales agents to a six-week familiarization trip to Cebu, Malapascua, Boracay, Puerto Galera, Apo Reef, Coron Busuanga and Manila, Jarque explained.

Scuba Tours Worldwide, on the other hand, discussed plans with the DOT to hold familiarization trips to the Philippines for the company’s travel agents.

“More and more European operators want to get a chunk of our growing dive market,” said Jarque.

A huge video wall featuring a majestic audio-visual show of the country’s underwater paradise welcomed visitors in the venue.

Domingo Ramon Enerio, Tourism Attaché to London, said “Internationally-acclaimed Spanish videographer Sebastian Hernandis shot those scenes. It’s scheduled to air in Discovery Channel in Spain, and eventually to other global networks.”

Enerio acknowledged the country’s popularity in the market, as several speaker presentations mention the local dive sites in their talk.

Dive Birmingham Show featured high-profile speakers such as BBC TV celebrity host Monty Halls who discussed his great ocean adventures and Mark Elyatt who talked about the deep wreck.

“Our sites are already familiar to the dive market in UK and Europe as we are always mentioned in these seminars, which have standing room only even with 500 available seats,” Enerio said.

Enerio also welcomed award-winning diver, author, photographer and videographer, Jack Jackson to the Philippine booth. Jackson talked about his new book on adventure diving.

Known for his worldwide bestseller work “Globetrotter Dive Guide: The Philippines” which won the Kalakbay Award, Jackson is a fanatic and spokesperson for the underwater sites in the country. His book is a definitive guide that details more than 200 dive and snorkel sites around the Philippines.

The UK market posted a record growth of 18.2 percent tourist arrivals from January – July this year, and is seen to breach the 90,000 mark by end of the year.

But in reality, the geography creates excellent runs. Many mountains lie close to the ocean, so water courses plunge straight to the sea. In the interior of Mindanao and Luzon, some rivers build up enough volume, especially in the wet season, to offer rafting.

There are some great white water around Cagayan de Oro, with the challenges and excitement for those with various levels of experience on three of the Philippine best rivers – both of recent discoveries by white-water enthusiasts.

If you are looking for some action, the Bubunawan River, in Cagayan de Oro comes roaring out of the forested north slope of Mt. Kitanlad, cutting a deep canyon through the limestone of the Bukidnon slope plain and merging with the Cagayan River just four kilometers from the Cagayan de Oro Airport. Also, the Mambuaya and Uquiaban River.

This makes Bubunawan the most accessible white-water river in the country, as well as one of the most challenging.

The river is also very consistent, rainfall in Mindanao is more evenly distributed than in any other parts of the country, making the top level susceptible to seasoned variations in water level.

Over 50 kilometers of the Bubunawan River is accessible to river runners. The grade five upper half of the river is separated from the grade four level section by a larger waterfall, which requires a portage.

Access to the upper half, the more difficult section is by jeepney to barangay San Vicente, where you will have to hire a carabao cart to take your gear to the put-on.

The upper Bubunawan is a least narrow river and much of it runs in a narrow canyon. The riverbed is littered with huge rocks. Here, there are many rock obstacles to be negotiated (fortunately, however, most of the rocks are smooth) and the river most often challenge direction at abrupt angles of up to 90 degrees.

The waves are large and often irregular. The rapids are continuous and opportunities for any easy stop may not always be available. Because of this, and because of the waterfall, this river is best run with a guide who is familiar with the water.

Rupert Domingo is one of the active operators of white-water rafting. “Now, people are starting to enjoy the thrill and excitement of doing the white-water rafting. One only needs a stamina for this,” Domingo said.

In white-water rafting one has two choices – the Western style and Pinoy style. For western, duration is four hours (basic in Mambuaya) and seven hours (advanced in Uquiaban). Tour rates-minimum of four persons, P1,609 with lunch; P5,579 with hotel.

For Pinoy style, duration is 4 hours; minimum of 10 persons, P1,265 per person with the inclusion of roundtrip transfer, use of tubes and other safety equipment, and services of a river guide.

The Cagayan also runs out of Bukidnon plain, at a somewhat less radical pace than the Bubunawan. Access is by jeepney to Cagayan de Oro to Talakag or Burungan, Bukidnon.

The run is about 20 kilometers from the farthest entry point and can be completed in one long day or two short days. The greater part of the run is of grade 1-2, with a few sections at grade 3, possibly up to grade 4, in periods of high flow.

Explorers have targeted the Mambuaya River and Uquiaban, upper Polangui River in Bukidnon, the Tagaloan River in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental and the Mandulog River in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

It seems certain that at least some still unexplored rivers will offer high-quality padding actions.

Cagayan de Oro is located along Macajalar Bay in the Central coast of Northern Mindanao. It serves as regional center for Region X. It is bounded by barangay Bugo on the east, on the west by barangay Iponan, and barangay Tumpagon on the south.

Cagayan de Oro dubbed as the “City of Friendship” has much more to offer to tourists (local and foreign) besides the white-water rafting.

The attractions include the underground Macahambus Cave and the 130-foot circular grove; three beautiful parks, namely, the Gaston Friendship, Vicente de Lara, and the Golden Friendship; the Xavier University Folk Museum which displays an array of relics of the Bukidnon and Maranao cultures; the Seminary Hill where one can find the San Jose Seminary, St. John Seminary and the Carmelite Convent; the La Castilla Museum which is the depository of household heirlooms and antiques at the Liceo University complex.

One can also see the Gardens of Malasag Ecotourism Village, which is a repository of knowledge about the multi-faceted culture of Mindanao’s indigenous tribes. It is not just a mere destination, “it is an ecology village that serves a a learning center for eco-tourism in a botanic garden setting.”

Malasag Gardens, which stands on a 5.7-hectare site, features the different dwellings and the rich heritage of ethnic groups like Higaonon, Subanon, Talaandig and Matigsalog.

The garden was inspired by the picturesque Gardens of Granada in Spain and the Boucchart Gardens of Canada.

The village also has cottages, a swimming pool and a restaurant which serves native foods. Other amenities include picnic grove, food kiosks, comfort rooms and showers. There are also observation decks, a view deck, an amphitheater, a multi-purpose hall and a learning center.

There are also significant accommodations such as Pryce Plaza, Dynasty Court Hotel Court Hotel, De Luxe Hotel, VIP Hotel, Philtown Hotel, Estrella Hotel, Hotel Conchita, Cagayan Park View Hotel, Harbor Lights Hotel, Southwinds Hotel, Hotel Ramon, Cagayan Riverview Inn, Maxandrea Hotel, Country Village Hotel, Malasag Country Village and others.

In going there, one has three choices — by plane, from Manila, Philippine Airlines (PAL) have three flights daily; Air Philippines, one flight daily; Cebu Pacific, four flights daily. From Cebu, Asian Spirit has one flight daily.

The second one is by land, Philtranco (Manila-Surigao); Rural Transit (Surigao-Cagayan de Oro); bus or van (all points in Mindanao) and the third one is by water, WG&A (Manila, Bacolod, Cebu, Jagna, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete and Iloilo); Negros Navigation (Manila, Bacolod and Iloilo); Sulpicio Lines (Manila and Cebu).

Kent - Comment # 4

I recently purchased a messenger bag (Classic Messenger Ballistic Fabric S) from BratPack and instantly fell in love with it. I used to have an Oakley AP Pack but felt it was too large for me to lug around everyday.

I usually bring a spare shirt, a face towel, a windbreaker, a folding umbrella, a book (which I read to while my time), a water bottle, my lunch box, a maglight… whoa! wait a minute! it’s a lot to put into the messenger bag! but yeah! all of them fit into it and even managed to tuck inside a couple of folders from work!

Just recently I was in an event for our company and used my bag for my things and didn’t even felt tired of carrying it. The cross strap made it even more secure. Too bad I was not able to get a me a snapshot of it. Anyway, there’ll be more events coming and I promise to have me a pic or 2 with my beloved bag.

I’d just like to comment that when I saw the “Quality Shit” tag in the Timbuk2 Blog, I couldn’t find the tag in mine… and found out that it is only for SF-made bags. My bag was made in Vietnam and all I found was the “Made with Pride Worldwide” But then again, no doubt about it! I am proud to be having one of the best bags worldwide!

A heartful thanks to the guys (Timbuk2 & BratPack) who made my everyday bag-lugging a breeze!

Congratulations again Ken, please contact Ms. Arbee Panga of GeiserMaclang to claim your Timbuktu Bag at 0917-5344624, 812-8828 or 812-9199.

This was the announcement made by Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico of the Central Luzon regional office as he accompanied the DOT secretary in his first-ever on-the-job- training in birdwatching in Bataan and Subic Bay Freeport.

Durano, in his speech before a congregation of Bataan LGU officials and administration personnel at Joyous Fishpond Resort in Balanga City led by Mayor Joet Garcia, Congressman Albert Garcia and Governor Enrique Garcia , said that he was so elated by the efforts exerted by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines led by its president Mr. Michael Lu including Recreational Outdoor Exchange (ROX) and the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC) in creating awareness of the new tourism product, particularly in Balanga City, Subic Bay Freeport, Candaba in Pampanga, and Bani in Pangasinan.

To emphasize the value of this new learning experience, Durano launched Volume 1 of the book entitled Birdwaching in the Philippines in September this year which was put together by the group of writers and bird enthusiasts led by writer Carlos Libosada Jr., Robert Alejandro, Arnel Telesforo and WBCP president Michael Lu as consultation. As if to fan the flames even more intensely, he stressed the fact that the tourism department will play host to the 1st International Birders Convention to be held in Balanga City in October next year.

Durano expressed his commitment to make this part of Central Luzon as the birding capital in the country. He cited the reasons why.

Balanga City is an attractive stop-over for migratory birds as the Bataan Peninsula lies in what is known as the East Asian Australian Flyway. Three villages (barangays) of Puerto Rivas, Tortugas and Sibacan are the most popular stop-over and feeding grounds for thousands of migratory birds that include gulls, terns, herons and egrets. Balanga City offers great opportunities for bird photography and learning experience in natural history.

In Subic Bay Freeport alone, there are at least three areas where one may encounter the most number of birds like raptors, parrots, coucals, malkohas, woodpeckers, pigeons and hornbills. These areas are: Hill 394, Nabasan area and Triboa. Although birdwatching is possible almost anytime during the year (except during heavy downpour), the best time to do this here is during the months of February to May.

Candaba Marsh in Pampanga is 32,000 hectares of wetlands and is the first protected area where migratory and endemic birds flock by the thousands. The wetland is a wintering area for wild birds usually from the months of October to April. There are about 60 bird species which include Philippine duck, garganeys, northern pintail, northern shoveler, herons and egrets. Newly discovered species in the area now include eurasian spoonbill, and the black-browed reed warbler.

As a general rule, the ideal time for birwatching in the country is from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with opportunities to view the nocturnals before 5:00 a.m. and beyond 6:00 p.m.

For further information on birdwatching, please contact the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp., Corporate Relations Department, 4/F Legaspi Towers, Roxas Blvd., Manila, c/o Project Director Stanie Soriano, Tel. No. (63 2) 525-9318 / 521-6165 or email at pcvcnet@dotpcvc.gov.ph  or Website at www.dotpcvc.gov.ph

Finally, after six days of challenges and nonstop travel on land and sea that ran from November 7 to 12, 2008, Team Kanlaon, composed of celebrity Zaira dela Peña and twins Jojo and Jedtz Tan, dominated the action-packed ”Ready, Set, RORO! DBP Interisland Race-Year 3 to win the grand prize of P1 million.

Team Kanlaon w/ DBP Chairman Patricia Sto. Tomas & President
Reynaldo David

Team Narra, composed of GMA artist Ryza Cenon, Williamson Nocom and Super Perez, clinched the second place with P500,000 in cash prize, while Team Mayon, with GMA talent Rainier Castillo, and newlyweds Jenny and Nitoi Villaflor, occupied the third slot for a P300,000 win. Team Sikatuna with Viva Hot Babe Jen Rosendahl, Ian Caingat and Rasm Mendez came in 4th place with a P150,000 prize.

Straight from Lucena, Quezon, Teams Sikatuna, Kanlaon, Narra and Mayon reached the DBP Head Office building in Makati City to undergo one final challenge: a three-part relay game. The first team member was tasked to match a product under the One Town One Product (OTOP) program with its corresponding province. After completing this task, all three players ran up the stairs to rappel down the DBP building before sprinting to the finish line where they were welcomed by DBP Board of Directors lead by chairman Patricia A. Sto. Tomas and president & chief executive officer Reynaldo G. David.

The competition kicked off in Tagbilaran City, Bohol where Team Sikatuna launched a full-court press that proved overwhelming for their opponents. In a challenge aboard the Lite Shipping RORO Ferry in Tubigon, Bohol, Team Narra clocked in first. The action continued in Cebu City where Team Apo composed of schoolmates Cams Lozano and Kynz Flores with PBB Season 2 grand winner Beatriz Saw, rallied to the finish. The group scored their second victory during another challenge in Tacloban, Leyte.

Aboard the Super Shuttle Ferry from Bogo, Cebu to Palompon, Leyte, the teams engaged in a clock-stopper challenge that saw Team Lapu-Lapu with long-time gal pals Edz Saguin and Toni Cañeda and ABS-CBN talent Ketchup Eusebio emerging on top.

In Masbate City, Team Agila with Ateneo Blue Eagle Jai Reyes and dating couple Derek Grey and Peaches de Guzman claimed their first win. Team Sikatuna re-affirmed its resolve to win at the CamSur Watersports Complex In Pili, Camarines Sur, as it once again finished on top of the league, back to back with a win in the Lucena leg of the competition.

The “Ready, Set, RORO!” DBP Interisland Race is an annual event mounted by DBP to promote awareness about the RORO routes as part of continuing efforts to promote te country’s logistics and infrastructure network under the Sustainable Logistics Development Program (SLDP).

Under the SLDP, the Bank has aggressively promoted investments in projects that support the efficient movement of basic commodities across the islands, including vessel acquisition/ upgrading, and multi-purpose port construction. The race also recognizes the important contribution of the Road Roll-on, Roll-off (RORO) Terminal System (RRTS) in facilitating faster, cheaper, and the efficient transport of goods and people.

Catch race updates or vote for your favorite teams at www.dbprororace2008.com

Philippine Travel Blog is an official online media Partner of DBP Interisland Race 2008. Check out more photos of DBP Interisland Race 2008 here.