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Tropical Asia

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:05:13 +0100

Tropical Asia

Through a crop-based biodiversity, natural resources and animals (birds, fruits, and forests), Tropical Asia is economically and physiogeographically rich. ^[1]^[2] There are 16 countries of Tropical Asia ranging in size from around 610 km² (Singapore) to 3,000,000 km² (India). ^[2] Its population, is dominantly rural^[1]^[2] --however, in 1995, a census showed that a region with 6 out of 25 of the large cities . The population is 1.6 billion, likely to reach 2.4 billion in 2025.^[1]^[2] Climate in Tropical Asia is subject to seasonal weather patterns with the two monsoons and the amount of tropical cyclones in the three core areas of cyclogenesis (the Bay of Bengal, north Pacific Ocean and South China Sea). The climate varies over several environmental factors such as: growing urbanization, land industrialization and economic development or the opposite land degradation, environmental issues, and increased pollution. ^[1]^[2]

Bionetwork

In Tropical Asia, momentous elevational lifts on the ecosystems on the mountains show change in distribution and behavior of the rainforest. In Thailand, for instance, the area of tropical forests could increase from 45% to 80% of the total forest cover, while in Sri Lanka, a substantial change in dry forest and decrease in wet forest might occur. ^[1]^[2] With predictable increases in evapotranspiration and rainfall changeability, likely a negative impact on the viability of freshwater wetlands will occur, resulting in contraction and desiccation. Sea level and temperature rises are the most likely major climate change-related stresses on ecosystems. ^[1]^[2] Coral reefs might be capable of surviving this intensification, but suffer bleaching from high temperatures. Landward migration of mangroves and tidal wetlands is likely to be inhibited by human infrastructure and human activities.

Coastal lands

Coastal lands, in particular, are very vulnerable to major climate changes especially on seas.^[1]^[2] Particularly, heavily settled and intensified used low-level coastal plains, deltas, and islands are particularly susceptible to coastal erosion and land loss, sea flooding and barrage, especially vulnerable to coastal erosion and land loss, inundation and sea flooding, upstream movement of the saline/freshwater front and seawater incursion into freshwater lenses. ^[1]^[2] Mainly at risk are large delta regions of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Viet Nam and Thailand, and the low-lying areas of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.^[1]^[2] Socio-economic effects may be noticeable to major cities and ports, tourist resorts, artisinal and commercial fishing and coastal agriculture, and infra-structure development. Global studies have expected the dislodgment of several millions of people from the region's coastal zone, probably a 1 metre rise in sea level.

Hydrology

In Tropical Asia, the Himalayas are crucial to the provision of water of the continental monsoon. ^[1]^[2] Augmented temperatures and seasonal variability could cause a backdrop of glaciers and increasing danger from glacial lake outburst floods. Then, a diminution of average flow of snow-fed rivers, mixed with an increase in peak flows and sediment yield, could have major effects on hydropower generation, urban water supply and agriculture. Supply of hydropower generation from snow-fed rivers can occur in the short term, though not in the long term—run off snow-fed rivers might change as well. As stated before, an increased amount economic, agriculture, and industrial resources, can affect climate, but it can put an extra stress on water. Lower level basins are expected to be most affected. Hydrological changes on island and drainage basins will be relatively low to Tropical Asia, despite those relate to sea rise.

Food ration

The sensitivity of major cereal and tree crops, changes in temperature, moisture and CO2 concentration of the magnitudes estimated for the region has been done in many studies. ^[1]^[2] One instance is the influences on rice fields, wheat yield and sorghum yield imply that any increase in production associated with CO2 fertilization will most likely be offset by reductions in yield from temperature or moisture changes. Even though climate impression may result huge changes in crop yields, storage, and distribution., the continuing effect of the region-wide changes is tentative because of varietal disparity; local disparity in emergent season, crop management, etc.( the lack of inclusion of possible diseases, pests, and microorganisms in crop model simulations); and the vulnerability of agricultural (especially low-income rural population) areas to periodic environmental hazards, such as floods, droughts and cyclones.^[1]^[2]

Human health

The occurrence and level of some vector-borne diseases are anticipated to rise with global warming. ^[1]^[2] Malaria, schistosomiasis and dengue, that are significant causes of humanity and morbidity in Tropical Asia, are very sensitive to climate and are likely to spread into new regions on the margins of currently widespread areas as a result of climate change. Lately affected populations initially would go through higher fatality rates. ^[1]^[2] According to one study, specifically focused on climate influences on infectious disease in present vulnerable regions, a growth in epidemic potential of 12-27 per cent for malaria and 31 to 47 per cent for dengue and a decrease of schistosomiasis of 11-17 per cent are expected under a range of GCM scenarios through climate change. ^[1]^[2] Waterborne and water related infectious diseases, already accounting for the majority of epidemic emergencies in the area, are also expected to increase when higher temperatures and higher humidity are placed over on existing conditions and estimated upsurge in population, urbanization, deduction of water quality and other trends. ^[1]^[2]

Tropical rainforest resources

Edible plants

Tropical Asia has an abundance of edible resources. ^[3] The following section involves various edible resource plants.

In Tropical Asia, berries are shaped like peppercorns, having an ingenious flavor a mixture of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg, therefore the name "allspice." Bananas are the most famous Musa with 21 species and edible subspecies.^[3] Especially in the Mayan area, it is probably native to Southeast Asia and widely refined in the tropics. ^[3] Black pepper is vine to the East Indies—made by drying the whole fruit (peppercorn); white pepper is made by first hulling the fruit, then grinding. The majority of production is in India and Indonesia; outside the region, America is a chief importer. Four of the main cultivators of this plant are capsicum annuum: cayenne pepper, sweet pepper, paprika, and jalapenos grown in temperate regions.^[3]

Native to India, saffron, vanilla, and cardamom are the most expensive spice.^[3] Cashews, originally from tropical America, are a rich nut full of vitamins. Further on, cocoa/chocolate as well as the soft drink cola, is native to lowland tropical America, but is confined through the west African tropics. Citrus fruits are of the most valued fruits in tropical Asia. More than 55 million tons are sold annually, including orange (fruit)s, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, and more.^[3] The largest citrus is the pummelo. The scented flower buds of cloves come from a tropical evergreen tree native to southeast Asian Mollucas, also in Zanzibar, Madagascar, and Indonesia.^[3] Coconuts are originally native to the Indo-Pacific area and are around every tropical area except rainforests. They can be used for oil, fruit, and fibers. Coffee, probably native to North East Africa, is grown throughout the tropics.^[3]

In addition, grown throughout the tropics is Mango, native to India (valuable in many parts) and from Southeast Asia (includes root tubers used as spice and perfumes). Mung bean is also native to India, is a potentially prosperous food.^[3] Nutmeg comes from the trees of an island in Southeast Asian Mollucas islands. Mace is formed of nutmeg, and is used as spice. The peanut, native to South America, is commercially spread in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions—it is used as a chief source of oils and protein.^[3] Another important tropical and subtropical plant is pineapple, likely domestic by the Guarani of Brazil and Paraguay during the Pre-Columbian Era. Continuing on, Sesame is an early African oil seed plant—grown primarily in Southeast Asia. Squash is native to many American tropics and is cultivated tropical and subtropical America and temperate zones. Native to Southeast Asia and cultivated in India, turmeric is dried, ground rhizomes, and produce the spice. Then of the legume family, tamarind, is thought to be originally from India. It is grown throughout the tropics and used as a table fruit, drink, preserves, and medicinal properties.^[3] Vanilla is indigenous to tropical America, it is most commercially important of all the 35,000 species of orchid. It is made from the dried seeds of the rainforest orchid tree.^[3] It is widely grown, especially in Madagascar.

Human-health plants

This is not an advertisement for these medicines, but a discussion of these plants.

First off, Anise manages the upper respiratory problems like bronchitis, coughs, and stuffy noses. Moreover, it relieves upset stomach and aids digestion. ^[4] It is useful to curb flatulence and aids asthma. It also alleviates female organ troubles and conditions. Castor oil is a cathartic reliever. The practice is a poultice of warm oil soaked in wool flannel and applied with a heating pad (1 hour, 3 times a week) to cause relief of arthritis, calluses and corns, colds, colitis, cysts, gallstones, gout, headaches, hepatitis and warts, ichthyoids, indigestion, moles, seborrhea, nervous tics, varicose veins, even vertigo. ^[4]

Cocoa Butter and Coconut oil are good for the complexion. ^[4] Tropical vines such as yams and Sweet potatoes also have these abilities and are good for eyes and intestines. ^[4] Cinnamon and Tumeric help regulate blood-sugar (triples the capability of insulin to metabolism glucose in the laboratory). ^[4] It is taken in small amounts on cereal: 1/2 teaspoon or so. Cloves also provide short-term pain relief, cure mild depression, are a sedative and sleep tonic, and help digestion. Then Corn silk cures kidney problems, also cleanses them, and is a diuretic. Next, Cumin has anti-cancer properties (known to increase a chemical in the body that protects against cancer It blocks 83% of the chromosome damage usually caused by a caner-causing chemical.^[4] Its cook with beans and lentils. The Seminole Maroons, also, use cumin seed tea to relieve labor pains.

Dandelion Greens works to purify the system, especially during leisure. Garlic is supposedly a life span enhancer ^[4]. Its abilities include: lowering blood pressure, cold and flu prevention,, internal vermin, diarrhea, blood sugar problems such as diabetes, pains in the muscles and joints, food poisoning, high cholesterol, urinary tract infections, heals wounds and yeast infections.^[4] Ginger, also has a medical use for controlling colds, helps digestion, enhances circulation, helps pain relief and nausea, relieves slight arthritis pain, heart problems, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, etc. Onions also possess several of those abilities. ^[4] Lemon and Lines and Mace and nutmeg also prevents flus and viruses, the latter also helps clear thinking and helps circulation. ^[4]

Mint helps/aids/controls: headaches, female conditions, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, asthma and dryness of breath, toothaches, digestion; poultices for headaches, trouble in muscles and joints. Peanuts, then serve as tension preventatives.^[4] It is an oil for massage gout, arthritis, bursitis, and more. Black Pepper is also a cancer pre-emptive, in many occasions a lifespan enhancer. ^[4] It helps heart problems such as disease and high cholesterol. Hot peppers, a capsaicin main ingredient, is a pain reliever that prevents colds, flus, and those above. In addition, Plantains keeps the heart healthy by containing high potassium. Poppy seeds are cancer presenters (blocking 80% of the chromosomal damage in carcinogen).

Spices have a high amount of biological activity and enhance life.^[4] Next, Thyme helps with/does: helps digestion., breaks fever, relieves the following: headaches, sore throats, uterine problems, phlegm, shortness of breath, flatulence, colic,stale breath, etc. Tomatoes aid colds and flus. Seeds of Watermelon are good for kidneys; relieves hypertension, cystitis, insomnia.^[4]

Tropical destinations

Boracay Island, Philippines

The Boracay Island of the Philippines is a vivid island noted by long white sand beaches among the popular beach destinations such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. ^[5] Boracay can only be reached by ferry from Caticlan. SEAir serves up to 28 flights a day, each flight about as 35 minutes, from Manila to Caticlan Airport. Another way is through the Kalibo Airport on the other side of Aklan Island. From Kalibo, visitors take a two-hour (2-hour) ride to Caticlan. Three transportations get tourists from Kalibo to Catlican: Mini-vans, buses and other rental vehicles.

Prehentian Islands, Malaysia

The Perhentian Islands is a group of two small islands in Northeastern Malaysia: Perhentian Besar (or ”Big Perhentian”) and Perhentian Kecil ( or” Small Perhentian”). ^[6] Small abandoned of Susu Dara, Seringgi and Rawa lie off Kecil. ^[6] The area belongs to Pulau Redang National Marine Park, which is a marinal site especially for fishing. In Malay, the word “Perhentian” means “point to stop”, referring to their hoary role as a waypoint for traders between Bangkok and Malaysia. The islands were sparingly inhabited by fishermen for centuries, although tourism accounts now for most economic activity. ^[6]

In the Perhentian, the most common activities are scuba diving, sunbathing, and snorkeling.^[6] The Perhentian offers detailed diving and draw diving skills. Competition for dives is competitive, though quite cheap, averaging out to RM60-80 per dive depending on how many dives done and a person brings their own gear. ^[6] There are 5 dive centers on Kecil’s Long Beach: Spice Divers, Coral Sky Divers, Sea dragon Divers, Turtle Bay Divers and Sunlight Divers.^[6] For Snorkeling, all resorts rent out snorkeling gear (RM30 a day for mask, snorkel and fins) and organize snorkeling tours throughout the islands. General snorkeling spots on Besar include Teluk Pauh (on the left of the beach in front of the PI Resort), Shark Point and Tanjung Basi. Sharks (though usually at the bottom of the reef) are most commonly seen on boat, at a very small beach, between Shark Point and the Teluk Dalam large beach.^[6] Turtles, are most commonly viewed in the middle of the beach in front of Perhentian Island Resort, where the sandy bottom is covered with algae. ^[6]

Many of the smaller resorts of the island offer buffet-style meals with a variety of Western and Malaysian dishes. Larger beaches, such as the Pasir Panjang, offer a greater variety of eating options Meals. ^[6] Since most of the island imports seafood, it is served several times on mainland. ^[6] Mainly people travel to the islands by the provincial capitals Kota Bharu or Kuala Terengganu. Although the nearest railroad station is Tenah Merah, most tourists prefer Khotu Bharu for better service.^[6] Since the islands have neither roads nor airport, arriving to the islands requires a rough speedboat trip with two large outboard motors. On the islands other than from walking, the only way of transport are water taxis.^[6] Due to the eastern monsoon, the season in the Perhentian is effectively limited to the period between April and October. ^[6] Beyond this, the seas can be extremely rough and most space options are closed.^[6]

Rai Leh, Thailand

Rai Leh, or Railay in Thailand is, a tourist area located on the Andaman Coast of Thailand, in Krabi Province, is largely known as a rock climbing spot, open to climbers from all over the world and for its gigantic limestone.^[7] A peninsula surrounded by ocean and mountains, final entrée can only be by boat. “Long-tails” leave from Ao Nang (10 minutes, 60 baht/person) and Krabi (30 minutes), whose towns are the gateways to Rai Leh. Another way of access to Rai Leh is on the regular ferries that run between Ko Lanta, Ko Phi Phi, and Phuket (mainly in the dry season: November-May ) From Bangkok are flights go to Krabi and Phuket, direct bus services, and trains to Surat Thani and connections by bus.

The topography of the Rai leh is in four primary areas. Phra Nang is a one white sand beach, on the southern tip of the peninsula. Rai Leh (East) is the mangrove side of the peninsula, used by long-tails to/from Krabi. Rai Leh (West), a fine white sand beach with shallow water, where most long-tails arrive from Ao Nang. Then, Ton Sai, which is a cove around the corner from Rai Ley West; rock-climbers and backpackers and practice climbing.

Wildlife

Vertebrates are marked by their ability to fly. Not only are Birds able to fly, but sea animals such as Fish and Reptiles for years have flown. ^[8] Some fish jump out of the water to escape predators, expand their large pectoral fins and glide nearly hundreds of yards. ^[8] As well, many frogs have long-webbed, elongate fingers and toes that function like parachutes when they leap from the leaves and branches of trees to glide across the forest.

Several groups of Mammals, for example bats, colugos, and rodents have developed many different ways to move through the air. The first fliers were Frigate Bird-looking pterosaurs, whom were also the first reptiles capable of flight and varied in size from chickens to giant creatures with wingspans of over 16 meters.^[8] However, the most affluent flying reptiles of all time probably were the dinosaurs and the birds today. In Southeast Asia, however, the ability to fly in modern, non-avian reptiles is out of control and has changed alone at least three, maybe four times for lizards, and once in snakes.^[8] What would draw such mammals to Tropical Asia, well there would be almost no alarming sounds or people to intimidate them?

In Southeast Asia, the Agamidae, holds Gliding Lizards that are arboreal, diurnal, prominent predators who signal another by puffing out their throats and expanding their chests to show their radiant colour patterns. ^[9] As well, they jump from branch to branch for prey or to escape predation. When threatened, Green Crested Lizards leap from one tree to next, splay out their limbs, and expand their rib cages during flight. ^[9]

Open surfaces are often the place where Draco, (black bearded) gilding lizards communicate with each other.^[9] When not flying, their heads are usually seen sitting head up on the trunks of the trees; their wings creatively folded to their bodies Most of their day is spent feeding on ants up and down trees, making for the majority of their diet.^[9] Once in a while, they’ll want to change outings and leap from the tree, extend their ribs to open their wings, and glide to the next tree. The degree and speed of the glide depends on a couple of aspects: the height of the lizard on the tree and the surface area of the wing comparative to the weight of the body. ^[9]

Then, there is the Orange-haired gliding lizard a thick neck and heavy body; it has small wings however, but despites it pace, it moves relatively fast.^[9] To pick up enough speed, it commonly needs to fold down its wing for a period of time. ^[9] Therefore, they are seen on the tallest trees where they can safely dive to gain momentum to glide. Their flight structure helps separate them ecologically, keeping them from direct opposition with one another for some of the rainforest's resources. ^[9] In some areas of the forest, up to eight different species of Draco may appear together. Generally, they are closely related species with unique, restrictive life histories living in the same area, the potential for opposition is likely. ^[9]

Geckos are another notable flying reptile.^[10] Their wings lack the elaborate thoracic (chest) mutation of Gliding Lizards and are composed mainly of a large flap of skin along their flanks. ^[10] The flaps stay rolled across the belly until the lizard leaps off a tree the time they become inertly opened by air during the fall. Additionally, the body flaps are extended flaps along the sides of the head, neck, and tail; back sides of the hind limbs; and extensive webbing on the hands and feet. In flight, all of their wings are extended and splayed, creating the parachute effect.^[10] The Frilly Gecko, the smallest of them, travel from trees uniquely on the lowest part of the same tree to avoid predators. Geckos are cryptic species that are hidden during the day and active during the night, unlike the many arboreal agamids. In addition, their color patterns normally match the substrate where they stay allowing them to go ignored.^[10]

Then, the Flat-tailed Gecko (Cosymbotus platyuurus), a species strongly related to the Frilly Gecko, is another example of intermediacy. It similarly folds skin along the head, body, limbs, and tail as the Frilly Gecko but not nearly as developed. ^[10] It lays these flaps out on the trunk of the tree to prevent the curving of the body from a shadow where it meets the trunk, to give away its location. These flaps inertly open up like other geckos do when the gecko jumps from one branch to another and this imparts even a small advantage by extending the length of the jump. ^[10]

Because of their lack of limbs and other adjuncts, snakes are unlikely a group of vertebrates to develop. ^[10] Although, in Peninsular Malaysia, there are three, closely related species of snakes with ability to glide for significant distances. These are the Tree Snakes (genus Chrysopelea). The flat, open body works like a parasail and its rolling movements in flight, similar to a spinning frisbee, prevents it from overturning.^[10] Before leaping, Tree Snakes hang the uncoiled forepart of their body off the branch in a "like a J". ^[10] Next, by shaking the body upward in tandem reaching outward by rapidly smoothing its coils and releasing, they’ll hold on the branch, the snakes take flight. ^[10] They also enlarge their rib cage as a defense device to expose brightly colored markings on their scales. ^[10]

TOURISM IN THE PHILIPPINES

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:05 +0100

Tourism in the Philippines

Life in the Philippines
Culture Dance Demographics Cuisine Economy Education Film Holidays Languages Literature Music Politics Religion Sports Tourism Transport
edit box

The Philippines, is an archipelagic country located in Southeast Asia with Manila as its capital city. The Philippine archipelago comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. Modern Filipino culture though primarily Asian, has more many influences from the Western world than other nearby Asian cultures who have been able to retain more of their core Asian identity. Most of these influences are a product of previous colonization and derived mainly from the cultures of Spain and the United States, with a secondary influence from Latin American cultures who were under Spain during the same period the Philippines was. The influence from the United States being so strong that the Philippines continues to integrate newer American cultural influences into it's culture even in this post-colonial period.

History

Philippine tourism started to flourish in the 1970’s up to 1980's, but in the mid 1980’s, the growth of the Philippine tourism started to slow down. One of the major evidence of the slow growth is the average length of tourist stay of 8.9 days in 1988 down from 12.6 days. In 1987, this growth was slower compared to other countries in Southeast Asia. Signs of a faster growth showed up in the early 1990’s. About 1.2 million tourists visited the Philippines in 1992, which was a record high in the number of tourist visits since 1989. The tourism growth of the year of 1992 gave the Department of Tourism a reason to forecast a positive outlook for the future years. In 2000, the Philippines' tourist arrivals totalled 2.2 million. In 2003 it totalled 2,838,000 it grows almost 29%, And it is expected to grow as much as 3.4 million in 2007. In the first quarter of 2007, the tourist arrival in the Philippines grew as much as 20% in same period last year.

Transportation

The Philippines has different means of transportations. Jeepneys, taxis, and buses are on every main and sub thoroughfares that includes pedicabs and the thrifty tricycles that roam the city streets. MRT (Metro Rail Transit), and LRT (Light Rail Transit) are also accessible in the main commercial districts. Sea and air transport are the most popular means of transportation getting to other parts of the country. The Philippines have its airports and seaports situated throughout the country. The Philippine government is currently spending more to improve Philippine infrastructure to boost not only tourism, but also trade and commerce.

Events

The World Pyro Olympics is held in the Philippines every year starting from December 2005. Foreigners come to the country to support their own countries joining in the competition.

The 2005 Southeast Asian Games was held in the country. The games attracted more tourists compared to the World Pyro Olympics because the Pyro Olympics was only held at night unlike the games which was held at day and night. The government took advantage of the games to show off the tourist spots around the country through the games’ advertisements.

The Logo of Miss Earth.

The beauty pageant Miss Earth is held in the Philippines every year. The competition is also used to advertise the beauty of the country around the world.

There are a lot of festivals in every part of the Philippines and many of them are very worthwhile visiting. The following are the main festivals :

Procession of the Black Nazarene, January, Metro Manila. It's a large event with thousand of barefoot men parading through the streets carrying a life-sized, black wooden statue of Jesus of Nazarene. Pilgrims from all over the country attend, wanting to touch the statue in the hope of a miracle.

Ati-Atihan Festival, January, Panay. It is the wildest among Philippine fiestas and many consider it as the Mother of All festivals in the Philippine . Everyone paints their faces with black soot and wears bright, outlandish costumes as they dance for the last three days of this two week-long festival. Religious and non-religious folk alike observe this day of parades, dancing and music, there may even be beer to be had.

Sinulog festival January, Cebu City. The festival features a street parade with participants in bright-colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate, and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a "Sinulog sa Kabataan", performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the grand parade.

Moriones Festival March-April, Marinduque. The Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks. The Moriones or Moryonan tradition has inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices or folk history is turned into street festivals.

Pahiyas festival May, Lucban, on the border of Quezon City. This festival is in honor of San Isidro where the town celebrates by colourfully decorating the town with fruits, vegetables, flowers,and Kiping, which are imitation leaves made from rice-starch.

Flores de MayoFlores de Mayo May. Flores de Mayo is a Catholic festival held in the Philippines in the month of May. It lasts for a month, and is held in honor of the Virgin Mary. The Santa Cruzan is a parade held on the last day of Flores de Mayo in honor of Reyna Elena.

Pagoda-Sa-Wawa festival July, Bocaue. In the town of Bocaue in Bulacan province, on the First Sunday of July, The festival celebrate the discovery of the miraculous cross floating on the Bocaue river 200 years ago. A large pagoda is sailed down the river WaWa and if your luck enough to ride on the pagoda, it is said that your life will be improved and you will have good luck for the year.

Famous tourist spots

Intramuros is a walled city in Manila, built by the Spanish in the 1500’s. Originally, Manila‘s boundaries were the city walls. But due to the growing size of the city, newer buildings were built outside these walls. As of today, Intramuros contains museums, churches and an old fort.

Manila's vibrant party scene rivals those of Shanghai and the nightlife is amongst the underrated in the world with the Filipinos penchant for parties and fiestas. Somewhere in the archipelago, there is at least one fiesta being celebrated 365 days a year (By Third Week of January - head off to Kalibo for the Asia's version of the Mardi Gras). Manila, Cebu and Boracay are the ground zero for parties - pool parties, yacht parties, rave and fashion events.

Makati City is the modern face of Manila. It is the complete opposite of Intramuros. Major malls, business centers, hotels are situated in Makati City. Makati has a lot of high rise buildings, the Makati skyline is the best in the country.

Aklan is one of the most visited provinces in the Philippines not only because of its beaches but also of its popular yearly colorful event which is the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo.

Chocolate Hills are limestone hills that turn brown during the summer. Chocolate Hills are found in the island province of Bohol, which is also the home of one of the smallest primates in the world - the Philippine Tarsier.

Boracay Sunset

The Hanging Coffins of Sagada and the Banaue Rice Terraces are worth a visit in the Northern Philippines. The rice terraces were carved out of mountains thousands of years ago and by far the most extensive of its kind in the world (longer and bigger than those in Indonesia) with sophisticated irrigation and engineering that was unthinkable during the time it was built.

Taal Volcano, one of the smallest active volcano in the world, sits on a lake and is just an hour away from Manila. The fresh cool air off the Tagaytay Ridge provides spectacular view of the lake and the volcano. Best check if hiking to the crater would be safe.
North of Manila, take the rough road and go to Mt. Pinatubo, the volcano which caused a massive eruption in 1991. Now you can marvel at the volcano up close and swim inside its crater. The last eruption was one of the biggest during the last century and lowered the global temperature by at least a degree.

The Hundred Islands, also located in the Northern Philippines, is a group of more that 400 islets with coral reefs surrounding the islets. These islands are famous for their beaches and the coral reefs, which can be explored by snorkeling.

About two thousand years ago, mountains in Northern Luzon were carved by indigenous people to form what is now the Banaue Rice Terraces. The rice terraces cover 4,000 square miles (10,000 km²) of mountainside. The Banaue Rice Terraces is a UNESCO world heritage and is said to be the 8th wonder of the world.

The province of Palawan is an island in the South China Sea. Palawan has natural gas fields on the northeastern part of the island but the beautiful beaches around the island are still maintained.

White Beach, Boracay

Boracay Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The island boasts a 4-kilometer stretch of white sand beach, considered to be the best beach in Asia and one of the top ten beaches in the world.

Surfing in the Philippines is comparable to the best in the world - with the world-famous cloud 9s off the island of Siargao facing the Philippine Trench in the Western Pacific as well as the surfing destinations of La Union and Zambales (facing South China Sea).

The Philippines also boasts as one of the top three best diving destinations in the world the other two being Palau and the Maldives. The archipelago is also considered as one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world, with the most number of species concentrated in one area. The best dive sites in the Philippines are located in Anilao, Boracay, Malapascua, Apo Island, Balicasag, Pamilacan, Tubbataha, Palawan, and Puerto Galera. Subic Bay, home of a former American naval base, is also known for World War II wreck dives.

Popular tourist destinations

Shopping

Shopping is one of the things tourists love about the Philippines. One of Asia’s largest bargains are found in the Philippines. Bargains in the Philippines are cheaper compared to the bargains in Singapore and Hong Kong. Prices of the goods for Philippine bargains are comparable to the ones in Thailand and in China. Not only are the products cheap, they are also of good quality. Three of the biggest shopping malls in the world, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM City North EDSA are all located in the Philippines. Other well-known shopping malls are Robinsons, Greenhills in San Juan, Greenbelt, Glorietta, PowerPlant Mall in the city of Makati, TriNoMa and Gateway Mall in Quezon City, and The Podium in the Ortigas Business District.

Gallery

Makati City	Afrigana Circle in Manila	Chocolate Hills	Taal Volcano
Hundred Islands National Park	Vigan City	Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park	The walled city of Intramuros
Mansion House, Baguio City	SM Mall of Asia	Mt. Apo	Riza

BORACAY CONVENTION CENTER

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:52:26 +0100

Boracay Convention Center

Boracay Convention Center
Building
Type	Convention Center
Architectural style	Brutalist
Location	Boracay Island, Aklan, Philippines
Owner	Equinox Land Corporation, Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc., 7017 Islands Property Holdings
Construction
Completed	2008
Main contractor	Boracay Property Holdings, Inc

The Boracay Convention Center (BCC) is the biggest convention center in Aklan, Philippines. It is a private ecotourism venue intended for trade events, industry conventions, corporate functions, concerts, and international exhibitions. It is one of the landmarks of the Island of Boracay, which was declared by the British publication TV Quick as the world's number one tropical beach and topped the 2007 Yahoo! Travel list of World’s Most Popular Beach.^[1]^[2]^[3] Its building is located in Yapak, Malay, Aklan, Philippines, which is approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. The Boracay Convention Center will be the venue of Miss Earth 2009, an annual international beauty contest promoting environmental awareness and one of the three largest beauty pageants in the world.^[4]

Mandaluyong City-based Boracay Property Holdings Inc., the owner and developer of Boracay Eco Village Resort and Boracay Convention Center, is owned by Equinox Land Corporation, Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc., and 7017 Islands Property Holdings.^[5]^[6]

Description

Puka Beach, Boracay where the rare Puka shells are found

Boracay's White Beach

The Boracay Convention Center is situated inside the Boracay Eco Village Resort, the only mountain resort in Boracay that allows to enjoy the white sand and turquoise water of Puka Beach as well as the rich nature of the island and its flora and fauna. It can accommodate 2,500 to 3,000 participants (theater type on the second level) and approximately 1,500 participants with tables on the ground floor.^[4]

The convention center has the latest technology in multimedia equipments for power point and video presentation. It is equipped with high illumination LCD multimedia projectors that can be utilized in daylights settings with projections that can be simultaneously operated as a single projection or upon demand, and may project 3 separate presentations. The convention center is equipped with the state of the art sound system using original JBL speakers and Yamaha digital mixers and amplifiers.^[7]

The Boracay Convention Center consists of exhibit halls. The front hall is strategically designed to accommodate multi-level booths and heavy machinery. The main hall can be converted to a basketball court which complies with Philippine Basketball Association standards and a volleyball court and/or for badminton games as well. It has eight breakouts function rooms that are adaptable to any setup that an event may require. The meeting rooms are intended for board meetings, seminars, and even break-out rooms for plenaries in the function rooms.^[7]

History

The Boracay Convention Center is part of the 79.21-hectare eco-village land in Boracay Island, which the Ayala group owned until June 2003.^[6]^[8] In 2005 alone, Boracay Property Holdings Inc., has so far invested $6 million or about P336 million to put up the world-class hotel and facilities in the area.^[5]

Philippine Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar A. V. Purisima had endorsed the conversion of the eco-village project, into a Tourism Economic Zone (TEZ) to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who issued the presidential proclamation. The Trade department noted the rise in tourist bookings in beach resorts nationwide following the tsunami devastation in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka.^[5]^[6]^[8]

The Boracay Ecovillage Resort, which includes the Boracay Convention Center, is now a Philippine Tourism Economic Zone entitled to fiscal and nonfiscal incentives from the government.^[6]^[9]

MISS EARTH 2009 IN BORACAY

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:40:50 +0100

Miss Earth 2009

Miss Earth 2009
Miss Earth 2009 titlecard
Date	November 22, 2009
Venue	Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center, Boracay, Philippines
Broadcaster	ABS-CBN and The Filipino Channel
Entrants	90+
Placements	16
Debuts	Gabon, Namibia, Tonga
Returns	Croatia, Curacao, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nepal, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Ukraine, Zambia

Miss Earth 2009, the 9th edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, will be held at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center, in the Island of Boracay, Philippines on November 22, 2009.^[1]^[2] The Miss Earth winner serves as the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other environmental organizations.^[3] About 90 contestants from different countries and territories are expected to compete in the event. At the conclusion of the competition, outgoing titleholder Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry of the Philippines will crown her successor.

Expected delegates

As of October 19, 2009, 88 delegates have been confirmed.

Country

Contestant

Age

Height
(cm)

Height
(ft)

Hometown

Albania

Suada Saliu^[4]

179

5'10"

Lezha

Argentina

Gisela Menossi^[5]^[6]^[7]

180

5'11"

Río Cuarto

Australia

Melinda Heffernan^[8]^[9]^[10]

173

5'8"

Cremorne

Bahamas

Krystal Brown^[11]

173

5'8"

Nassau

Belgium

Isabel van Hoof^[12]

172

5'7"

Antwerpen

Bolivia

Dominique Peltier^[13]

180

5'11"

Cochabamba

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Lejla Adrovic^[14]

178

5'10"

Tuzla

Brazil

Larissa Ramos^[15]^[16]

178

5'10"

Manaus

Canada

Lateesha Ector^[17]

175

5'9"

Pierrefonds

China

Yan Xu^[18]

178

5'10"

Shandong

Chinese Taipei

Chen Yi-Wen^[19]

Colombia

Alejandra Castillo Múnera^[20]

177

5'10"

Bogota

Costa Rica

Malena Orozco^[21]

183

6'0"

Cartago

Croatia

Vinka Groseta ^[22]

Dubrovnik

Cuba

Jamillette Gaxiola ^[23]

175

5'9"

Havana

Curaçao

Amada Beatrix Hernandez ^[24]

175

5'9"

Willemstad

Czech Republic

Tereza Budková^[25]^[26]^[27]

176

5'9"

Sezimovo Ústí

Dominican Republic

Mariel Garcia^[28]

178

5'10"

San Francisco de Macoris

Ecuador

Diana Delgado ^[29]

172

5'7"

Manta

El Salvador

Mayra Aldana^[30]

173

5'8"

San Salvador

England

Kirsty Nichol^[31]

173

5'8"

Islington

Ethiopia

Genet Denoba Ogeto^[32]

177

5'10"

Addis Ababa

France

Magalie Thierry^[33]

176

5'9"

Froideconche

Gabon

Marlyne Lea Ayenne ^[34]

175

5'9"

Libreville

Georgia

Nona Diakonidze^[35]

175

5'9"

Tbilisi

Ghana

Mariam Abdul Rauf^[36]

Northern Region

Greece

Triantafyllia Sarantinou^[37]

176

5'9"

Athens

Guadeloupe

Marie-Ange Seymour^[38]

Le Moule

Guam

Maria Luisa Santos^[39]^[40]^[41]

173

5'8"

Dededo

Guatemala

Hamy Tejeda^[42]

177

5'10"

Guatemala City

Honduras

Alejandra Mendoza^[43]

175

5'9"

La Lima

Hong Kong

Wang Shan Shan ^[44]

Hong Kong

Hungary

Korinna Kocsis^[45]

173

5'8"

Jákfa

India

Shriya Kishore^[46]^[47]^[48]

179

5'10"

Mumbai

Israel

Noy Michaelov^[49]

177

5'10"

Jerusalem

Italy

Roberta Billorello Proietto^[50]

175

5'9"

Milan

Jamaica

Jenaae Jackson^[51]^[52]^[53]

178

5'10"

Kingston

Japan

Takada Tomomi^[54]

Kazakhstan

Inessa Nazarova^[55]

175

5'9"

Almaty

Kenya

Catherine Muturi^[56]

180

5'11"

Gatundu

Korea

Park Ye-ju^[57]

173

5'8"

Seoul

Kosovo

Elza Marku^[58]

Pristina

Latvia

Diana Kubasova^[59]

Riga

Lebanon

Nicole Lichaa Khoury^[60]

172

5'7"

Beirut

Luxembourg

Theodora Bănică^[61]^[62]^[63]

170

5'7"

Luxembourg

Macau

Jia Pei ^[64]

Macau

Malaysia

Madelyne Nandu^[65]

173

5'8"

Sabah

Malta

Alison Gallea Valletta^[66]

Attard

Martinique

Pascale Nelide^[67]

180

5'11"

Fort de France

Mexico

Natalia Quiñónez^[68]

178

5'10"

Zapopan

Namibia

Susan van Zyl^[69]

182

5'11"

Oshakati

Nepal

Richa Thapa Magar^[70]

164

5'5"

Kathmandu

New Zealand

Catherine Irving^[71]^[72]^[73]

Waverley

Netherlands

Sabrina Anijs^[74]^[75]^[76]

175

5'9"

Den Haag

Nigeria

Modesta Alozie^[77]

Abia

Northern Ireland

Kayleigh O'Reilly^[78]

178

5'10"

Ballymena

Pakistan

Ayesha Gilani^[69]^[79]

170

5'7"

Lahore

Panama

Geraldine Higuera^[80]

171

5'7"

La Chorrera

Paraguay

Gabriela Rejala^[81]

175

5'9"

Ñemby

Peru

Leticia Rivera^[82]

179

5'10"

Cajamarca

Philippines

Sandra Seifert^[83]

175

5'9"

Bacolod

Poland

Izabela Wilczek^[84]

177

5'10"

Pabianice

Puerto Rico

Dignelis Jiménez^[85]

171

5'7"

Arecibo

Romania

Roxana Ilie^[86]

Mamaia

Russia

Natalia Sokolovskaya^[87]

178

5'10"

St. Petersburg

Samoa

Varuna Curry^[88]

Apia

Scotland

Sarah Finlay^[89]

170

5'7"

Glasgow

Serbia

Dijana Milojkovic^[90]

Cuprija

Singapore

Valerie Lim^[91]

180

5'11"

Singapore

Slovak Republic

Lea Sindlerova^[92]

170

5'7"

Nitra

Slovenia

Maja Jamnik^[93]

175

5'9"

Ljubljana

South Africa

Chanel Grantham^[94]

175

5'9"

Durban

South Sudan

Aheu Deng Kudum^[95]

192

6'3"

Juba

Spain

Alejandra Echevarria^[96]^[97]^[98]

180

5'11"

Jaén

Suriname

Wynona Redmond^[69]

174

5'8"

Paramaribo

Sweden

Giulia Simone Olsson ^[99]

175

5'9"

Stockholm

Switzerland

Graziella Rogers^[100]

171

5'7"

Lyss

Tahiti

Niuriki Teremate^[101]

173

5'8"

Punaauia

Tanzania

Evelyn Almasi^[102]

180

5'11"

Dar-Es-Salaam

Thailand

Rujinan Phanseethum^[103]

172

5'7"

Udon Thani

Tonga

Mary Greatz^[104]

Nuku'alofa

Boracay in Aklan Philippine

Boracay
Geography
Sketch map of Boracay island
Boracay (Philippines)
Location	South East Asia
Coordinates	11°58′10″N 121°55′38″E / 11.96944°N 121.92722°E / 11.96944; 121.92722
Archipelago	Visayas
Area	10.32 km²
Country
Philippines
Barangay	Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak
Demographics
Population	12,003^[1] (as of 2000)
Density	1,163 /km² (3,010 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Ati, and Aklanon

Boracay is an island of the Philippines located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. In 1990, it was voted by the BMW Tropical Beach Handbook as one of the best beaches in the world and again in 1996 by British publication TV Quick as the world's number one tropical beach.^[2]In 2007, Boracay island topped the list of the World’s Most Popular Beach according to Yahoo! Travel. ^[3]^[4]

The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Philippine Tourism Authority in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

History

White Beach in Boracay

The island was originally home to the Ati tribe. Boracay is part of Aklan Province, which became an independent province on April 25, 1956.^[5] Formerly undiscovered, it wasn't till the 1970s that tourism began to develop in Boracay,^[6] and the island became popular with backpackers in the 1980s.^[5]

Years ago, Boracay Island was a well-guarded secret, almost possessively so that only a few knew of its existence.

It was only in the 70s when, it is said, a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise. Others maintain that it was the German traveler, 'Jens Peters' book, which included rave reviews of Boracay that changed the island’s pace from that of being a quiet secret to eventually being voted as having the best beach in the world.

Whichever story is true, it was around this time that Boracay Island slowly ceased to be a private travelers hangout and eventually became one of the major tourist destinations in the Philippines.

Geography

Map of the Philippines with Boracay Island indicated in the map.

Location of Boracay above Panay Island.

Boracay Island is located off the northwest corner of Panay Island, and belongs to the Western Visayas island-group, or Region VI, of the Philippines. The island is approximately seven kilometers long, dog-bone shaped with the narrowest spot being less than one kilometer wide, and has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers.

South-facing Cagban Beach is located across a small strait from the jetty port at Caticlan on Panay island, and the Cagban jetty port serves as Boracay's main entry and exit point during most of the year. When wind and sea conditions dictate, east-facing Tambisaan Beach serves as an alternative entry and exit point.

Boracay's two primary tourism beaches, White Beach and Bulabog Beach, are located on opposite sides of the island's narrow central area. White Beach faces westward and Bulabog Beach faces eastward. The island also has several other beaches.

White Beach is the main tourism beach. It is about four kilometers long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. In the central portion, for about two kilometers, there is a footpath known as the Beachfront Path separating the beach itself from the establishments located along it. North and south of the Beachfront Path, beachfront establishments do literally front along the beach itself. Several roads and paths connect the Beachfront Path with Boracay's Main Road, a vehicular road which runs the length of the island. At the extreme northern end of White Beach, a footpath runs around the headland there and connects White Beach with Diniwid Beach.

Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach, is a secondary tourism beach and Boracay's main windsurfing and kiteboarding area.

Boracay is divided, for land use and conservation purposes, into 400 hectares of preserved forestland and 628.96 hectares of agricultural Land.^[7]^[8]^[9]

Amihan and Habagat

Sunset on Boracay's White Beach.

Weather in Boracay is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Tagalog language, Amihan means a cool northeast wind, and Habagat means west or southwest wind; south-west monsoon.^[10] Amihan and Habagat seasons are generally associated respectively with the El Niño and La Niña global weather patterns. The Amihan season is characterized by moderate temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. The Habagat season is characterized by hot and humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the west.

On Boracay, the main indicator of the switch between the Amihan and Habagat seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a period of perhaps a week or two where the wind will switch between Amihan and Habagat patterns several times before settling into the pattern for the new season. As a general rule of thumb, Boracay will be in the Amihan weather pattern from sometime in September or October to sometime in May or June and in the Habagat weather pattern for the remainder of the year. These dates can vary in individual years, though.

Daytime temperatures on Boracay generally range from 77-90°F (25-32°C) from the beginning of the Amihan season into February or March, and increase to the 82-100°F(28-38°C) range with the onset of the Habagat season.^[11] During Tropical Storm periods, temperatures can fall below 68°F (20°C). Tropical Storms can impact Boracay at any time of year, but are most likely to be seen during the Habagat season.^[12]

Tourism

Puka Beach, Boracay where the rare Puka shells are found.

Partly because of its wind and weather patterns, tourism in Boracay is at its peak during the Amihan season. During Amihan, the prevailing wind blows from the east. Boracay's main tourism area, White Beach, is on the western side of the island and is sheltered from the wind. During the Amihan season, the water off White Beach is often glassy-smooth. On the eastern side of the island, hills on the northern and southern ends of the island channel the Amihan season wind from the east onshore, onto Bulabog Beach in the central part of the island's eastern side. This makes the reef-protected waters off that beach ideal for windsurfing and kiteboarding / kitesurfing.

Accommodation

Boracay's White Beach.

A number of accommodation types are scattered all over the island, ranging from luxurious hotel types to budget, spartan rooms. Guests can also choose according to location--Station 3 is where most of the cheaper lodgings are located, while Station 2 is meant for those who want to be within proximity of the bars. Station 1, meanwhile, is where you can find the more isolated accommodations, offering peace and quiet to those looking for a respite from the usual action-packed Boracay night scene. These are usually for the more upscale vacationers.

Most Boracay hotels and resorts have seasonal price levels, with high season prices generally coinciding with Amihan Season dates. Some have peak period pricing during periods of heavy tourism (usually including Christmas / New Year, Easter / Holy Week, and Chinese New Year periods).

Leisure activities

Leisure activities available on Boracay include scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding and beach relaxation.

Boracay is the site of a world-class 18-hole par 72 golf course designed by Graham Marsh. In addition, Boracay now has in excess of 350 beach resorts with more than 2,000 rooms ranging in quality from five-star to budget accommodations, so tourists are sure to find whatever they are looking for.

In addition, Boracay offers a wide range of restaurants, bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

Boracay Station 2 Scuba diving tanks