Int’l Hotel Chain, Philippine Firm to Build New Resort

International budget hotel chain Microtel will soon start its biggest project in the country after clinching a deal with a local developer.

Benedicto-led Enrison Land Inc. (ELI) will soon begin construction of a 150-room mid-rise Microtel resort hotel on a 5,000-square meter property located between two major resort hotels in Mactan Island.

Doulos is the World’s Oldest Ocean-Going Passenger Ship.

MV Doulos is now here in Cebu. A vessel with a rich history, Dolos exists for a unique purpose. From January 26 – February 19, 2007 the ship’s book fair will open daily to the public. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Sunday and Monday from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The entrance fee is 10 Pesos. Children under 16 are free to visit, but must be accompanied by parents or guardians.

Doulos is berthed at Aduana Pier - Pier1.

Visit http://www.doulos.org/ for details.

Sun.Star Cebu - Indonesians eye ‘union’ with RP furniture sector

NDONESIA found Cebu-made furniture displayed at Asean summit venues “impressive.”

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 Director Asteria Caberte said the sentiment caused Indonesian officials, who attended the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, to propose the integration of Indonesia’s raw materials supply sector with Philippine furniture makers.

“Indonesia is strong on raw materials (supply) while the Philippines is strong in craftsmanship. That is why they have plans to integrate with us,” Caberte told Sun.Star Cebu.

ThaisNews

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the ASEAN Community have a common goal to develop the region, having their people as centre.

The Prime Minister referred to ASEAN Summit in Cebu City in the Philippines where the ASEAN grouping planned to set up marine and air transport network to facilitate the regional transportation, economy, commerce, and education.

The Manila Times Internet Edition | BUSINESS > 2006 investment pledges for Philippines exceed goal

INVESTMENT pledges for the Philippines rose by double digits to surpass last year’s target, the Department of Trade and Industry said, adding the growth reflected investors’ confidence in the domestic economy due to the government’s improving fiscal position.

Commitments to establish new or expand existing business ventures in the country jumped to P274 billion, an 18.5-percent increase from the P231 billion in investment pledges the government registered in 2005.

Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila said the Board of Investments (BOI) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) exceeded their combined 2006 target of P254 billion, as actual pledges were 8 percent more.

Sun.Star Cebu - Espina: ASEAN spouses’ la-ag

ONE of the best parts of the Asean spouses program was the la-ag, a cultural journey, a musical diorama giving glimpses of our history, delineating how the Spanish, American and Chinese influences were immersed in our lifestyle. “Impressive, the dancing women, the costumes and choreography were all superb!” said the Indonesian Minister’s spouse who spoke good English. The First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo, over-all chair of the Spouses program, turned teary-eyed when he saw the smiling people, waving and cheering, all throughout the la-ag. Cebu City’s First Lady Margot Osmeña, awed by the synergy of all the activities, sighed, “It’s a miracle. Sto. Niño was with us all the way! The sun shone just when the children started to perform.”

Sun.Star Cebu - Developer to build new shopping center at recla

TARGETING retail shop operators, information technology (IT)-related establishments and government offices as tenants, a local developer will begin construction of a mall building at the Mandaue City reclamation area next month.

Carlos Co, president of Golden Great Value Properties Inc. (GGVPI), said the firm will invest P200 million to P250 million for the development and construction of Parkmall at 168 on a parcel of land at the Mandaue reclamation area.

The Brunei Times

ASEAN, once dismissed as a sinking ship of bickering leaders, seems to be finding a second wind in recent years.

At its latest summit on the Philippine resort island of Cebu, over the last weekend, the grouping decided to fast-track the setting up of an Asean common market from 2020 to 2015.

It also directed a high-level task force to begin writing a charter that will bind members of the grouping to a set of rules.

ASEAN’s dream of economic union far from reality

At their annual summit on the Philippine island of Cebu on January 14, leaders of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) affirmed their strong commitment to accelerate the establishment of a free-trade zone by 2015.
The move would liberalize the movement of goods, services, investment and capital across a region of almost 570 million people, around one-tenth of the world’s population.
“ASEAN is committed to expanding its trade area to create one of the world’s greatest trading blocs by 2015”, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo proclaimed when she opened the summit.

It’s my first time join Sinulog and I never realized that this is how Cebuanos truly saulog the Sinulog.  ”Di mahulugan ng karayom” as they say.  Foreigners, national, and local people drew near at the City of Cebu (from Fuente O to Abellana-USC-Caretta-procession venue)to watch the street dancing and fluvial parade last January 21.

People were celebrating through attending masses and relic procession at the Basilica de Santo Niño. 

Amidst the heat of the sun and overcrowded people, they stayed until the foot-parade finished.  A shout of “Viva Pit Señor” at the image of Sto. Niño, their colorful costumes and spectacular dances from different contigents gathered the crowd from the streets.  A huge and giant effegies, creative and articulate floats were also part of the foot parade. 

Everybody was so excited to look forward for each contingents as they danced on the streets.   But most of all, the breathtaking part of the contest was the announcement of the winners for the battle of the BEST for the Sinulog 2007!

Here’s the review of the winners:

SINULOG BASED

1st Place- Sinanduloy of Tangub City. More pictures

Read the rest of this entry »

Cebuano pride - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

The past two weeks have been proud moments for us Cebuanos.

First, we successfully hosted the 12th ASEAN Summit, wherein we showed to the entire country and the whole world our warmth and hospitality, which, according to our visitors, were the best ingredients that made the summit memorable. The summit was peaceful despite the travel advisories of some countries to their citizens not to come to Cebu during the summit because of alleged terrorist threats. Thank you and congratulations to all Cebuanos.

“One word that best describe to Cebu is religious,” a wise answer by a 20-year-old nursing student, Loise Angelique Tan during the final question and answer portion and she bested other top 5 finalists during the pageant night of Ms. Cebu 2007 held at Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City last night. 

Read the rest of this entry »