Archive for January 2012

CNN says the hottest Asian tourism spot is in Marinduque

If Marinduque is the heart of the Philippines, then Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is its heartbeat. And it beats for eco-luxury.

The ethereal paradise of Bellarocca, an ultra-luxurious resort, is sanctioned by God since it takes its role in environmental stewardship not just seriously but very seriously. Like a beautiful enigmatic woman, the resort charms and beguiles discriminating travelers with a bespoke experience of soaking in nature’s jewels as you immerse yourself in a trip of a lifetime that doesn’t cost the earth.

Excellently managed by Genesis Hotels and Resorts Corp., it is here where the dream of being synergized with nature is realized.  Eco luxury, synonymous with becoming “green,” is achieved as the resort practices sustainable tourism and makes positive contributions to the conservation of biodiversity, wilderness, natural, cultural and human heritage. Currently, the finest things in life are increasingly becoming environmentally virtuous. Yes, the new face of luxury is Code Green, its peculiar DNA simply means responsible conscientious travel where the place you visit benefits from your presence.

According to gracious director of marketing John Tanjangco, while “Bellarocca was the product of one person’s dream to create a world-class upscale resort, its vision, however, was not only driven by the element of luxury but with the guiding principle that the resort would espouse respect for the environment, sustainable development and a social consciousness for the communities around.”

It is no wonder that Bellarocca is the only luxury resort in the Philippines that is part of the distinguished roster of Eco Luxury Hotels that include Four Seasons Tented Camp in Changrai, Amanjiwo and Amanwana in Indonesia, Banyan Tree in Phuket, Thailand and Ringha, China, Six Senses Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, Al Mahad Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, the Datai in Langkawi, Fairmont in Mayakoba, Royal Livingstone in Zambia among others in Seychelles, Morocco and South Africa. Eco Luxury, a collaboration of the best retreats in the world, is a catalyst towards the changing face of tourism — proving that eco-luxury is not an oxymoron, and is dynamically becoming an established brand, showing the two can go, synergistically, hand in hand.

As if that wasn’t enough, even CNN International has given Bellarocca a thumbs up for being the hottest New Generation Asia tourist hotspot. There is a Bedouin saying that fosters hospitality to the highest degree: “Each guest is a guest of God.” With this philosophy in mind, Bellarocca delivers only the most indefatigable degree of loving kindness. My dear friend, gracious GM Rudy Studer, resort manager Alexis Tibayan, executive chef Cris Castro and the congenial staff will certainly shower you with their genuine service. Guests are free to be as social or as private as they wish, but should they need anything, the friendly staff is discreetly ever present. The Bellarocca motto seems to be “Speak softly and smile generously.”

Marinduque is only 35 minutes from Manila by either chartered or commercial flight. Upon landing, cold verbena towels and ice-cold Wilkins mineral water is served in the spacious air-conditioned van of the resort. After a brief scenic drive through excellently paved roads, the mise en scène, reminiscent of Amorsolo paintings, comes alive as one is transported via speedboat to what resembles the lost city of Atlantis — Santorini, Greece. Its immaculately relentless beauty and grace will capture you as you approach the island. The crystal reflection of shimmering turquoise waters gives a sense of tranquility. Marinduque was ravaged by the ill effects of mining a decade ago but is now being rehabilitated into a paradise we can all be proud of.

John Tanjangco shared further: “What we offer that you cannot find anywhere is the absolutely authentic and genuine feel of the Mediterranean Islands that is complemented by the customized, personalized Filipino service. We make it a point to do or deliver what it is that the guests want. ‘No’ is something you will not hear from our staff.”

We felt a sense of peace and nirvana as we joined the mid-morning yoga class led by winsome Carmela Cancio at the resort’s meditation sanctuary, amidst the symphony of birds in the background. We also experienced sheer bliss after swimming in the aquamarine waters and kayaking in this pastoral atmosphere between the rocky, volcanic promontory, the lush forest and the azure seas. The resort’s wellness spa is a private retreat you ought to indulge in as delightful treatments await you. We excitedly anticipated the full moon from our veranda as we lay on the white cushion beds with wood frames as we listened intently to Giglio’s rendition of Indescribable God. The mood was soulful and festive as we waited for the luminous moon to illuminate its path, after all, it was the birthday of my beloved brother-in-law Boom Boncan and we — his wife, my affectionate Ate Jaqui and her vivacious daughter Christel and I — couldn’t have chosen a more magical place to celebrate life, love and laughter.

The celebration continued inside our posh two-bedroom Athena villa with Jacuzzi and plunge pool, lounge chairs and table where we had candlelit dinner overlooking the calm ocean and mystic mountain. Our villa radiated comfort and sophistication, with a top-of-the-line Sensurround Denon sound system and no less than my favorite L’Occitane Verbena products. The master plan, architecture and interior design of Bellarocca were all done by Alex Yatco of AY Design, proudly a Filipino company. They created this one-of-a-kind resort to offer something that would uniquely stand out from all the other resorts in Asia. From the refreshing white stucco-structures, to the tiles in the steps and the mirrors in the bathrooms, it remains consistent with what you would find in the Greek destination. One can certainly claim sunset-viewing rights from the white washed accommodations, with curved ceilings and walls with terraces and verandas of Aegean blue.

The spectacular architecture doesn’t interfere with the natural landscape. One can witness the special attention and respect given to surrounding nature, with trees jutting out near the roofs. There was an effort not to cut down trees so plans were built around them instead.

Dining at Bellarocca is never second best. We were treated to a sumptuous dinner that was highlighted by the resort’s version of paella marinara. Perfectly cooked with piquant flavors and spices, the top layer of delicate rice is soft while the layer beneath is crunchy and caramelized. Other delectable must-try dishes are their creamy and frothy butternut pumpkin puree soup, savory ginatang kalabasa, freshly-caught native salmon grilled in tangy citrus butter sauce, delectable bites of fillet of grouper and fish simmered in flavorful teriyaki sauce with slivers of almonds and succulent morels of mushrooms. For dessert, we had fresh mango flan on a bed of sweet cream, and panna cotta with cinnamon. GM Rudy brought a freshly baked moist chocolate cake covered in fine dark chocolate with whipped icing. Our dining experience was made more delightful as Boom brought out some bottles of his favorite Sauterne wine for the nobility of a truly sweet ending.

Our last morning on the paradisiacal island, the sun’s rays penetrated the clear waters as the eclectic sea explodes in a frenzy. The mountain, with trees and plants still drenched in morning dew, come alive. There are only few places on earth that sincerely espouse eco-luxury that can match the magnificent and astonishing natural beauty of Bellarocca. My search for a magical elusive paradise stops here for now. I need some time to absorb it. After all, it isn’t every day that one comes across a resort that truly cares as it takes its role of stewardship to an exhilarating and inspiring level.

It is a fervent prayer that eco-luxury tourism inspires us to adopt a more caring approach towards traveling — one that will allow us to digress from our comfort zones as we embrace new and refreshing perspectives of stewardship. As we all strive to make a heartfelt contribution to other people’s lives, one friendship at a time, we may just certainly change our own.

Pacific nations discuss ways to tackle climate change

Bachang - Reviving the Ifugao Bayanihan Spirit {nicnoc}

BE A BATAD WEEKEND WARRIOR

Help the Ifugaos restore the Batad Rice Terraces by becoming a Batad Weekend Warrior starting Feb 3, 2012.

Bachang (‘vfa-dchang) or Baddang means “Bayanihan” in Ifugao dialect. Traditionally, the Ifugao’s held the Bachang to assist a farmer in performing farm chores or house repairs. Bachang will be a work-in progress activity in Batad Village. On top of the usual tour packages and itinerary in Banaue, the community of Batad is opening their doors to all VolunTOURISTS to a unique participatory activity of “stonewalling” in order to restore and rehabilitate the damaged portions of the rice terraces during the past typhoons.

The group build requires at least twenty (20) volunTourists and the activity will take about four (4) hours minimum under the guidance of local master builder and a locale team comprised of farmers. This will be held every weekend starting Feb 3, 2012 until December 2012. There are no specific technical know-hows required except that a participants willingness to do a 1 hour and half-trek to reach Batad.

Participatory fees* to be paid will be in forms of in-kind (barter) like farming tools (shovel, spades, prong hoe, boots, protective helmet and gloves). This will be given as donation to the Batad Community Work Shop available to tourist and farmers. * – Participatory fees are in-kind donations (see specified list of materials) and does not include travel, accommodation, guide and PhP20.00 pesos registration fee for visiting Banaue, Ifugao.

Special arrangement for group build can be arranged with the Batad Community through the Barangay Council in Batad Village and or the Banaue Tourism Information Center (074 386 4010/ 09294692138 Jane Mateo) at Banaue town proper.

Batad Rice Terraces is one of the five (5) rice terraces enshrined by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1995. Due to climate change and natural calamities, the rice terraces is at the risk of deterioration caused by soil erosion.

Batad Weekend Warrior is just one of the collective efforts from both government and private sectors. Cultivated through a sustainable VolunTOURISM program, the advocacy to revive the Ifugao’s “bayanihan spirit” aims nonetheless but to rehabilitate the rice terraces as a true living natural museum and world heritage site; conducive for learning and experience though mutual cooperation and sweat equity.

Bachang is a volunTOURISM initiative of John Chua’s Photography With A Difference (PWD) and the people of Ifugao.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Below are list of heavy-duty tools needed for the project. You may bring one or two of any of these and hand-it over to Batad Work Shop.

• Spades
• Shovel
• Prong Hoe
• Pick Matock
• Spading Fork
• Wedgepoint
• Crowbars
• Iron Mallet
• Wheel Borrow
• Steel Buckets
• Protective Helmet
• Rubber Boots
• Leather Gloves

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

Trekking to Batad requires some trekking so make sure you travel light.

• Backpack with lumbar support
• Sets of clothes good for 2-3 days
• Toiletries and medicines
• Hydration system or water bottle
• Hat or cap
• Rain gear
• Fleece jacket
• Trekking pole
• Camera

Volunteering to Bachang will entail working on the rice terraces so its is advisable to bring protective gears in case you don’t want to borrow from the community work shop.

• Protective Helmet
• Rubber Boots
• Leather Gloves

HOW TO GET TO BANAUE

From Manila, take NLEX / SCTEX and exit to San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, and drive all the way to Nueva Viscaya via Dalton Pass. Turn left once at Bagabag, Nueva Viscaca junction leading you all the way up to Banaue town.

Daily trips are available for Manila – Banaue via Ohayami Bus in Fajardo St. corner A.H. Lacson Avenue, Sampaloc Manila. Bus trips are during the evenings between 9PM-10PM only.

ONCE AT BANAUE

Register at Banaue Tourism and Information Center, they will help you arrange you IT and tour packages for Batad. Make sure you inform the tourism officer that you will be volunteering to the Bachang in Batad. You need to get a accredited guide who will bring you to Batad and will serve as your go-to person while you’re on tour. You also need to get a chartered jeepney to bring you to Batad Saddle and fetch you upon your return. Porter services are available at the Saddle. Standard fees and fare rates are available at the Banaue Tourism and Information Center, so make sure you check with the office first.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN BATAD

Batad Proper is accessible via foot trail from Batad Saddle. It has several hostels, inns and home stays for travelers at the View Point. You can pre-arrange this prior to your trip or while at Banaue. Rates start at PhP 150 overnight. Meals are also available on the hostel. There is electricity in Batad but it has no cellular services so it is advisable to make all necessary calls right before the Batad Saddle. There’s also a Liquor ban in Batad and most stores closes pass 7pm.

WHAT TO SEE IN BATAD

Trekking is required to explore and appreciate Batad and immediate surroundings.

• Amphitheater Rice Terraces
• Tappiyah Falls
• Bachang (Stonewalling Activity)
• Gateway to Cambulo, Patyay and Bangaan Villages.

For more information about Bachang and Batad, please email batadweekendwarrior@gmail.com

You will never be forgotten. Wake is at St. Peter (before mabolo bridge)

New mountain protection strategy: Climb {nicnoc}

BAGUIO CITY—Environmentalists have found a new way of conserving the Cordillera’s mountains: Climb every one of them.

This is the driving force for the first international “sky race” that government and environmentalist groups are launching in February, a marathon in the forests of Benguet.

The Department of Tourism launched the race here recently. It would be the Philippine leg of the Skyrunner World Series Trials, which were held in Greece, Andorra, Portugal, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, France, Japan and Venezuela.

Roberto Cereno, head of the Botanic Gardens, Parks and Ecotourism Division of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, said encouraging ordinary people to “climb every mountain” would help raise levels of awareness on the need to protect forests.

The phrase he used, “Climb Every Mountain,” came from a song performed in the 1959 musical “The Sound of Music.”

This approach is a complete reversal of government’s outdated programs, which have banned people from entering or living in national protected areas, said Cereno.

He said drawing people to the mountains “dispels the common notion that by climbing mountains, we conquer them.”

“To me, it’s the other way around,” he said.

The idea of communing with nature has been embraced by many in government, said Clarence Baguilat, Department of Environment and Natural Resources director in the Cordillera.

Baguilat earlier urged DENR employees to climb Mt. Pulag in Benguet to help set in context their passion for protecting forests, saying he never completely understood the heart of the advocacy to protect Luzon’s highest peak until he reached its summit.

The principle is also at the heart of Baguio City’s Eco Walk program, which encourages students to tour the city’s Busol Watershed to explain its relevance to their lives, said Ramon Dacawi, the program’s founder.

The sky race is an innovation, which could help kick off this new school of thought on mountain conservation, said Joseph Paul Alipio, founder of the reforestation group, Cordillera Conservation Trust.

His group’s tree nursery project for 2012 will benefit from the proceeds of the race.

The race will require runners, including participants from other countries, to race through 16.44 kilometers of mountain roads and trails until they reach the summit of Mt. Ugo in Itogon, Benguet, before they return to the starting line in Barangay Tinongdan.

Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

Anyone over the age of 35 should read this, as I copied this from a friends status ... {nicnoc}

Checking out at the supermarket recently, the young cashier suggested I should bring my own bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. I apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this green thing back in my earlier days“.

The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations“.

She was right about one thing–our generation didn’t have the green thing in “Our” day. So what did we have back then? After some reflection and soul-searching on “Our” day, here’s what I remembered we did have….

Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled. But we didn’t have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn’t have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby’s nappies because we didn’t have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 240 volts — wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right. We didn’t have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of Wales. In the kitchen, we blended & stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right. We didn’t have the green thing back then.

We drank from a water fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn’t have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mums into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing back then?

source

Romi Garduce completes historic Seven Summits quest

The Philippines finally puts on record a historic feat in the elite adventure sport of mountaineering. This after renowned Filipino mountain climber Romi Garduce officially set foot atop Mt. Vinson Massif in the Antarctic Region on January 5 at 6:45pm, Antarctica time (January 6, 5:45am, Philippine time) – officially completing his historic “Seven Summit” quest after long 10 years.

According to a recent blogpost by mountain climbing and trekking guide service Mountain Madness, Romi’s team summitted the 16,067-foot alpine mountain lying in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains amid a cold -26 degree Celsius weather.

GMA Network, tagged as the “home of Filipino champions,” takes pride that the first Pinoy to ever complete this elite globe-trotting expedition is a homegrown Kapuso. Romi is one of the pioneer hosts of the award-winning wildlife and environmental program Born To Be Wild.

Romi now stands next to Filipino boxing champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao with his own world record title.

In all, Romi summitted “eight of the seven highest mountains” in seven continents, conquering all mountains in both Bass and Messner mountaineering lists. These summits include:

1. Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa (September 2002);
2. Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina (January 2005)
3. Mt. Everest in Nepal (May 2006)
4. Mt. Elbrus in Russia (August 2007)
5. Mt. McKinley or Denali Peak in North America (June 2008)
6. Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia (December 2008)
7. Mt. Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia (July 2011)
8. Mt. Vinson Massif in Antarctica (January 2012)

LGUs, Solons, Support Legarda's Call for Stronger Risk Governance

Recognizing the need for building a disaster resilient nation, members of the House of Representatives and local government units (LGUs) have expressed their support for Senator Loren Legarda’s call for stronger risk governance.

Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento of the First District of Western Samar raised the importance of the proper execution of disaster risk reduction-related laws, while Mayor Ramon Ilagan of Cainta stressed that communities must be able to withstand the impact of worsening disasters and climate change.

Sarmiento said that “laws such as the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, the Climate Change Law, and the Solid Waste Management Act, should be translated into concrete actions that would build the resilience of our country to disaster and climate change impacts. We have had too many disasters in the past years and these catastrophes have stalled our progress as a nation. We have to ensure that the policies we have are implemented well, otherwise, the laws we have worked hard on would not truly serve their purpose.”

Sarmiento was among the participants of the Legislative Workshop on Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in the Philippines, held in Incheon, South Korea in July 2011 and signed the Incheon Resolution, which primarily urges members of the legislature to exercise their oversight function in the effective implementation of DRR and CCA laws.

For his part, Mayor Ilagan explained that LGUs are in the position to initiate and strengthen disaster preparedness and mitigation programs as they would better know the vulnerabilities of their respective communities.

“Even before the effects of disasters reach the national level, affected barangays, cities and municipalities have already lost too much. Strengthening disaster resilience at the local level is crucial, but we also need a national plan that will guide LGUs in crafting their local plans to ensure that local policies are attuned to the goals of the national government,” Ilagan said.

The Mayor of Cainta is among the signatories of the Kobe Resolution that was adopted by local officials who participated in the Caucus on Linking Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Effective Disaster Risk Governance held in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan in November 2011.

The Kobe Resolution urges LGUs to strictly implement laws relevant to DRR and CCA; incorporate DRR and CCA in local development plans including their annual budget; allocate funds for disaster preparedness strategies; engage other sectors of society and other LGUs to establish integrated and coordinated actions to address hazards and risks; and strengthen information, education and communication campaign to have a prepared and well-informed community.

Legarda welcomed the support of Ilagan, Sarmiento, and all signatories of the two resolutions, stressing that all government officials must strengthen their resolve to prioritize DRR and CCA in all aspects of governance and development planning.

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People’s Journal
January 06, 2012

DepEd turns eyes to climate change

THE Department of Education (DepEd) will include climate change and environmental concerns in the basic curriculum.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said lesson exemplars and teacher/student modules on disaster preparedness and risk reduction have been developed for Science I and Araling Panlipunan I.

These lesson exemplars contain strategies and methods of teaching disaster risk reduction. The modules will serve as reference materials for students and teachers.

The materials have been distributed to schools in the National Capital Region, Region V (Bicol), VIII (Eastern Visayas) IX (Western Mindanao), CARAGA, and the Cordillera Administrative Region. These areas are among the 47 most vulnerable provinces.

Luistro said DepEd would also address the construction of more typhoon-resistant schools in areas frequented by weather disturbances.

DepEd has constructed more than two dozen typhoon-resistant schools in the Bicol region.

These schools are elevated one meter above the ground, with ceilings reinforced by 20-millimeter steel bars and equipped with rest rooms, a kitchen, toilet and ample water supply.

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MALAYA
Ashzel Hachero
January 06, 2012

Southern Mindanao

MOUNTAIN INDEX
Mt. Apo/Kidapawan-Magpet: Davao + North Cotabato / 2956m (#1)
Mt. Apo/Kapatagan-Kidapawan: Davao + North Cotabato / 2956m (#1)
Mt. Apo/Sibulan-Kapatagan: Davao del Sur / 2956m (#1)