DOT Presents “Escape: Stories from the Road” Podcast

 The Department of Tourism (DOT) presents its first podcast, “Escape: Stories from the Road,” showcasing the best destinations in the Philippines through stories from different personalities

Escape: Stories from the Road

This five-episode podumentary, a combination of podcast and documentary, infuses an element of storytelling, veering away from the usual question-and-answer formats of podcasts. Through these stories, the DOT hopes to reach out to the various audiences and inspire them to participate in meaningful tourism through unique experiences and local interactions.

One of the special guests, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, shared stories about Baguio—his home and a UNESCO Creative City. Photo courtesy of Kidlat De Guia.

Each episode follows a theme, such as adventure, identity, fiestas, music and food. Among the notable individuals interviewed for this podcast are National Artist Kidlat Tahimik; Dr. Felicidad Prudente, who is one of the leading Filipino ethnomusicologists in the country today; and former Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Paragliding adventure in Nueva Vizcaya. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The first episode on adventure features some of the best outdoor experiences in Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, and Camotes Island; while the identity episode brings the audience from Baguio to Davao to share stories of people who, in finding the path to gain their identity, found the path to greatness.

The episode on music explores the sounds of the islands, from the city to the remote forests of the Philippines, emphasizing that music not only serves to entertain but to preserve history in our soundscape. The fiesta episode discusses how Filipino festivals have evolved from honoring patron saints to highlighting the best of the towns and provinces.

For the food episode that was recorded in May, then Tourism Secretary Puyat shared her advocacy in supporting local farmers and how this led to further developing food and farm tourism in the country.

DOT’s “Escape: Stories from the Road” podcast is hosted by travel filmmaker and photographer Aaron Palabyab along with guest co-hosts, national athlete Maureen Schrijvers; designer, musician, and filmmaker Kate Torralba; and sports broadcaster and podcaster Cesca Litton. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Castro, Overcast, and Anchor.

LRMC launches new beep™ card promo, announces free LRT-1 rides on Independence Day

 Private operator of LRT-1 Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) joins the nation in celebrating the 124th Philippine Independence Day on 12 June 2022 with special promotional offers for commuters.

Starting 12 June 2022, the total cost of a new beep™ card with load will be PHP50 from the previous total amount of PHP100. The cost of the beep™ card itself remains at PHP30, but the minimum load required for new beep™ card purchases has been reduced to PHP20 from the previous amount of PHP70. Passengers may avail of this special offer until 30 September 2022 at LRT-1 teller booths only. beep™ cards have a validity of four (4) years, which is subject to extension upon request at the LRT-1 stations.

“We are launching this initiative to make beep™ card more accessible, more affordable for budget-conscious passengers. Through this promo, they can now buy a reloadable Stored Value Card (SVC) or beep™ at half of the previous total cost of new beep™ card with load. This aligns with LRMC’s Tap2Ride campaign which aims to promote the use of contactless transactions in LRT-1 for safety and convenience,” LRMC Head of Corporate Communications and Customer Relations Jacqueline S. Gorospe said.

“Aside from safer and faster travel, passengers can enjoy a wide range of benefits when they use beep™ such as discounted LRT-1 fares which can mean savings for commuters. There are more ways now to reload their beep™ cards such as Ticket Vending Machines, beep™ loading machines, and LRT-1 merchant loading kiosks – all located in LRT-1 stations. They can also use beep™ as e-money to purchase food or services from select LRT-1 merchants,” Gorospe added.

Moreover, LRT-1 passengers will enjoy a free ride from 7:00am – 9:00am and 5:00pm – 7:00pm on 12 June 2022 as part of the yearly Independence Day promo. Existing beep™ card holders shall pass through the usual Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) gates and tap their cards to avail of the free ride without charge. Passengers without beep™ may get single journey tickets for free from the LRT-1 teller booths.

LRT-1 will follow normal operating hours on Independence Day, with the first trips leaving both Baclaran and Balintawak stations at 4:30am, and the last trips at 9:15pm (LRT-1 Baclaran Station) and 9:30pm (LRT-1 Balintawak Station).

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.

The future of work - sustainable office building

Green, the color of nature, has become the color people look for and want - in the products they buy, their homes and even the place where they work. Green means environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Parkway Corporate Center in Filinvest City, Alabang wears “being green” as a badge of honor, presenting itself as a sustainable office space in a sustainable garden central business district. Filinvest City, is a complete and thriving CBD, has the distinction of being the first central business district in the Philippines to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED v4 Gold for Neighborhood Development (LEEDv4 ND) from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and one of the largest neighborhood developments in Southeast Asia to pass the world’s most rigorous green building rating system.

Parkway Corporate Center boasts of premium amenities to make working in it as good for the health as it is good for business because the development was planned and designed for this purpose.

As Metro Manila and the rest of the country prepare themselves to resume their routines that were rudely interrupted and disrupted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, they also brace themselves for the resumption of the old headaches - monstrous traffic jams, limited seats in public utility vehicles, and a very polluted atmosphere. Those who are fortunate would have the good luck to work at Parkway Corporate Center would have the luxury of being cocooned in a healthy working environment where they can take advantage of the development’s distinctive green building features such as its excellent indoor air quality, and breathable open spaces. According to research findings conducted by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), green buildings make employees healthier and happier. With more employees returning to their office set up in the midst of the emerging pre-pandemic hustle and bustle of Metro Manila, this is the ideal time to find sustainable office spaces in a prime location at a competitive price range. Parkway Corporate Center offers the complete package. It is located in a prime location and has the added advantage of being a green building, so employees can be productive and efficient but healthy as well.

Parkway Corporate Center is green not just because it is located in Filinvest City, but because it also has its own LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification from USGBC to prove it. The LEED certification is an honorable seal that not only validates Parkway Corporate Center as a sustainable office building but also establishes its tenant’s confidence in providing their employees a safe and healthy environment to work.

In addition, it offers premium amenities and access to major transportation hubs and roads that connect Parkway Corporate Center to cities north and south of Filinvest Cityit. It has the prime business spot in Filinvest and provides greater mobility and convenience. It is close to Festival Mall, five-star Crimson Hotel, Westgate, Asian Hospital and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

H1 Architecture and Design, one of the country's top architectural firms, designed its future-proof, premium-grade office tower that is now ready for occupancy. Modern features and amenities include high-speed elevators, an elegant lobby, modern business centers, a podium deck garden, and spacious parking spaces. All unsold units of Parkway Corporate Center are available for leasing, with price starting at 900 pesos per square meter. Units range in size from 36 to 252 sqm and may be combined.

To know more, visit parkwaycorporate.com

DOT launches “Keep the Fun Going” sustainable tourism campaign with gamified challenges

The Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the second phase of the Save Our Spots (SOS) campaign titled, “Keep the Fun Going”, to encourage tourists to practice eco-friendly travels.

The campaign builds on the gains of the SOS phase one that was launched in 2019 to educate travelers about becoming responsible tourists. “Keep the Fun Going” aims not only to educate but also motivate travelers to take part in sustainable tourism practices, mainly through gamified challenges.

“The DOT has been integrating sustainable tourism principles in its projects, programs and policies, even involving tourists to be part of these efforts. Through the SOS campaign, we aim to raise awareness about responsible travel and emphasize that every small act goes a long way to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from and enjoy nature’s abundance,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

The Philippines is home to some of the world’s richest ecosystems and diverse species, which are facing both climate change and human threats, such as over tourism and neglect of the environment.

Loboc River Cruise, Bohol. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

To inspire more tourists to practice sustainable travel, the campaign will highlight a gamified experience featuring four eco-friendly ways to travel. The challenges will be demonstrated through collaboration with local key influencers, after which, the public will be enjoined to accomplish at least two of the four activities, which are:

● The “Certified Foot Soldier Challenge” that encourages travelers to walk, hike, or bike more often;

● The “Zero-Waste Warrior”, which inspires travelers to reduce waste by avoiding single-use plastics and always bringing reusable water bottles, utensils, and shopping bags;

● The “resTOURism Advocate Challenge” that encourages tourists to volunteer in restoration efforts of communities, such as planting activities, clean-up drives, and wildlife preservation; and,

● The “Eco-Staycationer Challenge” that motivates tourists to book in eco-friendly accommodations, such as local homestays or ANAHAW-awardee hotels that take action to promote sustainability.

Participants will have a chance to win by completing at least two challenges and posting them on social media with the following guidelines:

STEP 1. Take a photo of yourself doing the challenges.

For Certified Foot Soldier, you may use an app to track or record your steps or bike ride as proof.

For Eco-staycationer, best if you can include an eco-friendly practice of the establishment in your video. Camping and staycation trips (in a green hotel) are qualified.

STEP 2. Upload your photo.

Put a geotag and write a short description.

STEP 3. Tag the official DOT social media accounts:

Tiktok: tourismphilippines

Instagram: tourism_phl

Facebook: facebook.com/DepartmentOfTourism

Twitter: TourismPHL

STEP 4. Include the #KeepTheFunGoing and #ChallengeDone hashtags in your caption

STEP 5. Tag 3 of your friends in your post

STEP 6. Make sure to set your profile in public so we can see your entry

All entries will be drawn through an electronic raffle. Weekly winners will be announced every Saturday and will be notified thru Facebook Personal Message. The two grand winners, which will be chosen from all the qualified entries, will win a FREE TRIP for two to Palawan.

Join the #KeepTheFunGoing movement today and be an eco-warrior. To learn more about the campaign, visit philippines.travel/saveourspots.

Travel Green: Explore Banwa Private Island at its greenest

Green season is every frequent traveler’s best kept secret. It is the perfect opportunity to explore Banwa Private Island where nature is in full bloom.

Green season means drizzles in the warm and sunny mornings, ideal for swimming, hiking, nearby island adventures and outdoor activities. The cool,. fresh breeze make the days more relaxing, finding paradise in whatever you do.

Set in a pristine marine sanctuary in North-eastern Palawan, Banwa Private Island boasts stunning beachfront villas wrapped in the shade of palm trees and tucked in lush vegetation. Architecturally designed to sit in harmony with nature, each villa truly offers the luxury of space for a pure tropical hideaway. Wake up to the gentle hum of the waves, with the sun gleaming through the private veranda offering unobstructed views of the endless turquoise waters.

Plan your island escape as Banwa Private Island offers a seamless, attractive all-inclusive Green Season rates starting May 2022. For more information and enquiries, please contact the Reservations team through mobile/WhatsApp: +639178882864, send an email to reservations@banwaprivateisland.com, or visit www.banwaprivateisland.com.

‘Go where your mind’s been wandering’ – A new campaign by the DOT, TPB, and BBDO Guerrero

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) have launched a beautiful outdoor, press, and online campaign, with the help of BBDO Guerrero, to promote domestic tourism in the Philippines as the country recovers from the pandemic and travel restrictions are eased.

The campaign 'Go where your mind's been wandering,' highlights the re-opening of 10 popular tourist destinations, from white sand beaches to strawberry farms, in captivating photos that illustrate the unique characteristics of each place and, if you look closely, reveal a silhouette of a hidden face.

From surfing in La Union, diving in Cebu and hiking in Davao, you're sure to find something you love, no matter where your mind's been wandering.

The campaign was produced together with STILLS MNL Photographer Jason Quibilan and UGL Post Production with minimal retouching, inviting domestic tourists to rediscover the beauty of the Philippines - safely and responsibly.

Stop dreaming, start planning, now ‘go where your mind’s been wandering’.

Discover amazing entourage - dedicated Axis facilities of Banwa Private Island, the perfect destination for meaningful experiences

Boasting powder-white beaches, diverse marine life, luxurious private villas, and a green ethos that supports, nurtures, and protects its precious natural surroundings, Banwa Private Island is the perfect destination for meaningful experiences.

From destination weddings, and family reunions to work retreats, elevate your next event with an exclusive island charter at Banwa Private Island.

Unique to Banwa Private Island, discover our amazing Axis facilities providing comfort and style suitable for entourage and support team or children sleep-over adventures, available by chartering the whole island.

The facilities comprise eleven garden rooms accommodating up to 22 guests with views over our 9-hole (Par 3) short game golf course, a dedicated lounge with snooker table, pool kitchen, BBQ deck with pizza-oven, and its own infinity swimming pool. Not to mention our spectacular birds-eye view from the one-bedroom 360° Axis Suite situated at a spectacular vantage point.

For more information and inquiries, please contact the Reservations team through mobile/WhatsApp +639178882864, send an email to reservations@banwaprivateisland.com, or visit www.banwaprivateisland.com.

'Stairway to a good life!'

'Room with a view'

'The suite life'