Updated Philippine Airports 3D Tour

Here is an updated 3D tour featuring Philippine international airports, also included is the site of the Southern Luzon International Airport or the Bicol International Airport (currently under construction).

If you want to view additional information, videos and photos, you can stop the tour and click the icon.

Enjoy the 3D tour.

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GE Touring: Congress, Senate, Judiciary and Malacanang Palace

On the 30th of this month, the eyes of the world will focus on the Philippines, to witness the oathtaking of the 15th President of the country, Senator and President-elect Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III. Historic in a way, that, he is the first president voted for office in the first automated elections in the country. So we thought of creating a 3D digital tour around the government buildings involved in running the state of affairs of the country. Please view it below.

We will update this tour to include photos and videos, so watch out for it in the next few days. Thanks!

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Mount Magsumuso

Mount Magsumuso is located within the jurisdiction of Viga town, it is one of the most prominent mountains in the north having a cellular tower at its perch. Lording at the height of 451 meters or 1,480 feet (using digital map) above sea level, it is viewable as far as Bakak beach in Bagamanoc. Below is the digital image of the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain on the left, you can see a clearing near the river. The area was once used by the China Road and Bridge Corporation to park their heavy equipments, bunkhouses for engineers, storage of construction materials and site of the cement batching plant during the rehabilitation of the Catanduanes Circumferential Road project Phase 1. On the right you can view the road going to the tower. The approach is quite a steep climb roughly around 45 degrees and only military 4x4 trucks to managed climb at this point.

Atop, is the tower that used to be a TV transmitter before it was leased to a telecommunication company and up to present. What is interesting about this mountain and the tower is, at this vantage point, it could be a spot for a Wimax internet antenna to cover the three northern towns of Viga, Panganiban and Bagamanoc.

Note: I'm not sure of the official name of the mountain. If you know the official name please post it in the comment box. Thanks!

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PGMA Back in Catanduanes for School Visit

CARAMORAN, Catanduanes -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, hours after arriving from Shanghai, China visited this remote town to preside over the groundbreaking of a P1.6 million school building project at the Caramoran Rural Development High School.

It was her second trip to this typhoon-prone province in as many months, as she continued her swing of the regions to either inspect or open infrastructure and other public projects, big or small, that she said she intends to be her legacy to the people before she bows out of Malacanang on June 30.

At the Caramoran school, the President lowered a ceremonial capsule to signify the start of the construction of a three-classroom building as a replacement for the old one razed by fire last February 11.

In Caramoran, she instructed Department of Education Secretary Mona Valisno, who was with her, to generate funds for the construction of new schools buildings in the town.

“Di dapat matigil ang pag-aaral (Classes should not stop),” the President said as she implied before the crowd of students, teachers and parents that the building will be her gift to them to ensure the bright future of the young generation.

The President said education comes hand in hand with technology, pointing out that in Catanduanes, computer laboratories have been set up in at least 34 schools under a special program of hers.

She told local leaders led by Governor Joseph Cua that tourism be made a priority program because “tourism is the future of Catanduanes.” She cited the province’s pristine beaches and majestic waves, especially in Baras town which she visited in 2002.

Arroyo said that Catanduanes will be a ‘surfing paradise’ that will attract tourists and investments.

The President however stressed that aside from natural beauty of the island, access to the province’s tourist destinations is very important.

“That’s why we initiated the construction of the Catanduanes circumferential road so that tourists will come here and explore the province,” Arroyo said.

The President added that her administration has given much for the progress of the province. One of these projects is the Doppler radar, to be finished by next year, which is designed to warn the province of incoming typhoons.

Governor Joseph Cua thanked President Arroyo for her two recent visits to Catanduanes and for giving priority funding to schools.

Source: Embassy of the Philippines, Washington D.C. - 10 June 2010

RELATED LINKS:

• Palace Jet Aborts Landing Due to Cattle on Runway - Cows, carabaos and goats grazing on the Virac Airport runway forced a Malacañang jet to abort its unscheduled landing.
• Like an Audience to a Sabong - ZTE deal, internet gateway and national broadband, what is really the real issue?
• Barangay Micro Business Enterprise - Banking on the entrepreneurial talent of Filipino business acumen for local and national development.
• The Runaway Philippine Peso - Weighing the pros and cons of a stronger Philippine Peso.
• The Coral Triangle Initiative - The most diverse marine environment in the world - listed by WWF as the top priority for marine conservation.
• The Catanduanes Circumferential Road Improvement Project - Inaugurated was the 79.818-kilometer road stretching from San Andres to Viga.
• DOTC Fast Tracks Construction of SLIA in Albay - SLIA is a major project of the DOTC under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's super region program with a total of P3.4 billion.
• Google Earth Tour: Philippine International Airports - Geographical visualization tour of international airports in the Philippines.
• Google Earth Asian Tour - Geographical visualization of major Asian cities.

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Bicol Tourism Uptrend Brings in P364.5-M Revenue, Creates .72-M Jobs - PIA

Legazpi City (7 June) -- Bicol's tourism has generated some P364,506,282.50 gross receipts and created a total of 723,754 jobs for Bicolanos during the first quarter of this year, according to an official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office here.

Sibucungan, Catanduanes

DOT Bicol Regional Director Maria Ravanilla averred Bicol tourism posted some 593,241 tourist arrivals with 13.09 percent increase compared to the 524,544 tourist arrivals during the same period last year.

Ravanilla added that the agency recorded some 80 percent (454,016) of tourists visiting Bicol were locals while only 20 percent or 139,225 were foreign nationals.

She noted that the increase in tourist arrivals was delivered by the three "icons" in local tourism namely Mayon Volcano in Albay, CWC in Camarines Sur, and Butanding (whaleshark) interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon.

Camarines Sur continues to bring in the highest income posting a 348,139 visitors generating P197 million in revenues, followed by Albay with 86,518 making some P65 million in revenue; Catanduanes with 31,432 with P35 million; Sorsogon, 31,049/P27.5 million; Masbate 49,061/P20.2 million; and Camarines Norte with 47,042/P19.2 million revenues.

DOT data also reveals that the industry continues to post an uptrend in gross receipts with P443.5 million in 2007, surge by P782 million in 2008, and hitting over the P1 billion mark last year. (PIA V)

by MA Loterte
PIA Press Release
2010/06/07

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Revealing Catanduanes - PAL

This article was provided by Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Magazine. Mabuhay Magazine is published by Eastgate Publishing Corporation.

Revealing Catanduanes

As local surfing’s popularity grows, overcrowding has plagued most of the known surf spots in the country. Catanduanes’ spots, although spoken about in hushed tones, have seen its share of hardcore wave riders who welcome its rustic ambience, limited road network, unexplored coves, and the absence of a fast-food franchise. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, this island on the eastern side of Bicol has been accustomed to the onslaught of typhoons from the Pacific. Yet, the resilient spirit of the Catanduenos has made them overcome this anomaly of nature and made them realize the gold mine that its swirling winds bring. Miles and miles of surf blasting on jagged rocks, sudden downpours, exotic food, and the promise of an adventure day in and day out make Catanduanes an adrenaline junkie’s paradise.

There’s a lot of exploring to do in Catanduanes. Within a 30-kilometer radius from the capital city of Virac, you can chance upon a cave, a secluded cove, an unexplored reef, or your own secret surf spot.

1. Go surf in Puraran. Merely 40 minutes from the city in the Municipality of Baras, Majestics Break is considered the best in terms of its swells. Winds from the sea collide with shore winds to create a magnificent barrel that Lacey King, an Ohio native now based in Baras, describes as feeling “one with God.” The currents on the beach and on the reef are strong, which is dangerous for inexperienced surfers. Only advanced surfers or the stupidly courageous hit the waves here. Stay in the rustic Puting Baybay Resort (mobile no. +63926 710 7811; fan rooms at Php400/US $8 a day) or indulge in the penthouse suite of Angie’s Bed and Breakfast (mobile no. + 63919 439 5141; http://www.angiesbedandbreakfast.com; rates start at Php1,000/US $38) for a breathtaking view that stretches to the Pacific Ocean.
2. Visit the crab center in Barangay Palnab. Learn how king crabs are cultured, starting from the crablets to the plate. On average, crabs grown at the crab center weigh 1.8 kg. Catanduanes, which supplies crablets to most of the king crab growers in the Philippines, aims to be the crab capital of the country.
3. Head out to Batong Paloay for some divine time. Visit the Batong Paloay Church in San Andres, which houses the miraculous gem with the image of the Virgin Mary. It is believed to be growing in size every year. Pilgrims flock to the church in search of a miracle. Marvel at the Bato Church in the town of Bato, which was built in 1883 from coral stones.
4. Hike up to the Sto. NiÑo tower. The 1.4 km trek is a good way to loosen those joints and be rewarded with an unobstructed view of the city of Virac.
5. Dive at Panganiban. Ismael Rendon, a dive explorer who’s made Catanduanes his residence, considers the reefs in Panganiban a world-class dive site. Clown fish, manta rays, and sun fish are common sightings.
6. Go sport fishing, and catch a live blue marlin. Get into a battle of wits and brute strength against big game fish. Contact the provincial tourism office at tel. +6352 811 3225 for assistance.
7. Shop at handicraft centers in the city, or better yet, go into the heart of where they were made. Head out to Hawan Grande to the shop of Caesar Angeles and be toured around. Wall frames made of bamboo, driftwood, and abaca range from Php250-Php600 (US$5-US$13).
8. See how abaca (banana plant hemp) carpets are made. These carpets have made their way into the homes of the rich and famous. The abundant Abaca has been the major source of income for Catanduanes’ residents.
9. Have a picnic at the Twin Rock Beach Resort. Located nine kilometers from the city center, it has been a local institution and a favorite destination for weekenders because it has a lot of open space. It’s enclosed in a cove so the water is calm, which is ideal for swimming especially for kids. Also, its proximity to the city makes it very accessible for residents of Virac.
10. Unwind at several watering holes in the city. Dine at Park and Grill, fronting the seaport, for a taste of the local exotic delicacies such as karakol (snails cooked in coconut milk) and cabacab (grilled mountain frog). Dishes are affordable at Php150-Php300 (US $3-US $6) per order. Grab a drink at nearby Seaside Restaurant while listening to the waves crashing on the rocks. Or take in the nightlife at the Midtown Café where local bands play.

GO

• Surfing season is from September to November. For non-surfers, the summer months of March to May are ideal as this is the driest season for Catanduanes. These are the months when typhoons are rare.

STAY

• Marem Pension House, which started out as a homestay, has now expanded to 36 rooms.—136 Rizal Ave. cor. Rafael St., Sta. Cruz; tel. +6352 811 3439; http://www.xanga.com/marempensionhouse; rates start at Php775 (US$16) The Twin Rock Beach Resort in Igang is already a tourist spot in itself, featuring the twin islands that sit on its cove. — tel. +6352 811 1707; http://www.twinrock.com.ph; rates start at Php1,200 (US$25)

CONTACT

• For assistance when traveling to Catanduanes, call the Department of Tourism office at +6352 811 3225. You can also log on to http://www.catanduanes.gov.ph for more information.
• PALExpress flies between Manila and Virac daily. For more information, call PAL reservations office (+632 855 8888 and +632 855 7777) or log on to www. philippineairlines.com.

(email:info@eastgatepublishing.com;website: http://www.eastgatepublishing.com)

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DoST Cites Fine Fabric by Women Weavers of Baras - MB

A group of women weavers in the town of Baras, Catanduanes, has been reaping praise for their high-value fabrics from abaca that have ended up as suits and accessories of foreign dignitaries and other VIPs in high offices.

The women weavers of Baras, who form the Apanti Development Company, are recognized as one of the shining examples of a small-scale business making it big through the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DoST’s) SET-UP program.

Just recently, DoST Secretary Estrella Alabastro headed a team to visit Apanti and its famed “abaca-pinukpok” product made through the traditional manual style of weaving fabric through the use of handlooms.

The handlooms are made up of wood pieces that keep the warp (vertical) threads tight and straight so that the horizontal threads can pass through easier.

Apanti began as a DoST-assisted small-scale business known as the Tupa ng Baras Multi-Purpose Coop., Inc. in 1994.

Virgilio Apanti, the man behind the company, came up with tapping women weavers to form his livelihood group who are also members a born-again Christian charismatic group in Baras.

The group started receiving assistance from the DoST in October of 1996, when a basic training on weaving patterns for abaca-pinukpok was conducted by the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) in San Lorenzo, Baras, with Engr. Rogelio Valenteros of the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) as trainer.

In 1998, the company acquired 5-units jack-type handloom with the help of the DoST. The following year, the PTRI conducted training on scouring, bleaching, dyeing, and advanced weaving.

Several years after, the firm sought again the assistance of the PSTC Catanduanes through the training on natural dye extraction and application on abaca textile.

The weavers and sorters of the company comprise of the families living in Baras. The workforce includes college students who want to work part-time during their breaks or after school.

To date, the Apanti operates about 40 units of handlooms for its abaca fabric production. The firm is the sole provider of the abaca fabrics to designer Dita Sandico Ong’s store.

The company is looking for more livelihood activities that can help improve the community.

Alabastro, however, said that the firm must penetrate the market first and search for more clients before engaging into other business ventures to avoid any crises.

By MITCH ARCEO
May 27, 2010, 4:32pm
Source: www.mb.com.ph

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Catanduanes Tightens Grip on Crab Industry - MB

Catanduanes, apart from being associated with typhoons, is known for its abundant crabs, particularly the superior quality king crabs.

Despite this, market supply remains scarce due to the massive trade of crablets to other provinces that prevents mass production.

“Distribution can go as far as Pampanga in the north and Roxas City in the south. With this trend, it is alarmingly difficult to buy a kilogram of quality crabs anywhere in Catanduanes, said Department of Science and Technology (DoST) senior science research specialist Jaime Cabrera.

Cabrera added that sources revealed that an estimate of 300,000 crablets are being shipped outside the province weekly. He said poverty has forced people to sell crablets at a cheap price.

“If this is sold at a market price of P10 a piece, this is a whopping P12M per month of unaccounted revenue. It is a serious deprivation for the province,” Cabrera added.

To boost the crab industry in the province, the local government headed by Governor Joseph Cua, with the support of the DoST, established the Catanduanes Crab Center at Palnab, Virac, last October last.

The Crab Center aims to regulate the illegal trade of crab juveniles or crablets and promote crab farming. Only crabs that are branded, fattened, and of high quality will be sold in the province to prevent the selling of crablets.

The crab center consist of a crablet buying center and a crab nursery. Crablets found in the ocean are sold to the crablet buying center and are later nurtured and reconditioned at the crab nursery until the crabs can be disposed of to crab grow-out farmers and fishpond operators.

The program has attracted a number of residents of Catanduanes because of the incentive they get from providing crablets to the crab center.

For every crablet delivered to the center, the provincial government gives an incentive of P1 or bigger depending on the seller's market price generated. Those who turn over berried crabs (female crab with eggs) get a cash reward of P500 per piece.

Meanwhile, violators will pay a fine ranging from P1,500 to P5,000 and imprisonment of one to six months.

Grow-out farmers, fishpond operators and other stockers and traders are required to get accreditation from the center and local government.

The DoST, for its part, is currently implementing projects related to crab fattening, crab nursery and crab grow-out in modular cages, for better and faster growth of quality crabs in Catanduanes.

By MITCH ARCEO
June 1, 2010, 6:27pm
Source: Manila Bulletin

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