More FUN in the Philippines

Philippines' advertisement on CNN, for a week-long "Eye on the Philippines" - April 28 to May 4, 2012.

CNN TURNS ITS 'EYE ON THE PHILIPPINES'

Highlights include:

'Talk Asia' interviews with President Benigno Aquino III, Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala. A week of live daily reports and features from across the Philippines. Extensive online coverage and iReport special.

CNN's 'Eye On' series is shining the international spotlight on the Philippines, with a special week of programming dedicated to the Southeast Asian country, airing to more than 280 million households around the world.

From April 30 to May 4 'Eye On The Philippines' features live daily reports with Anna Coren from Manila, Batangas and Lake Taal and in-depth reportage from Kyung Lah, providing insight into the tropical country's people, politics, business and culture. The special week of coverage culminates with a half-hour program featuring highlights from the week, airing May 4 to May 6.

'Eye On The Philippines' also includes extensive online coverage at www.cnn.com/eyeon. In addition, CNN has launched a special iReport initiative calling on people to share their photos and videos highlighting the sights and sounds of the Philippines, with the best stories and videos featuring on CNN.

On-air coverage encompasses a wide range of special reports, including:

Talk Asia: President Benigno S. Aquino III - CNN correspondent Anna Coren sits down with the President at the Malacanang Palace for a rare and in-depth interview for CNN's 'Talk Asia'. The President discusses the opportunities and challenges currently facing the Philippines, as well as some of the experiences that have shaped him on a personal level.

Talk Asia: Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Fernando Zobel de Ayala - In this half hour interview, CNN correspondent Andrew Stevens talks with Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, respectively the Chairman & CEO, and President of the Ayala Corporation, the country's largest and oldest business conglomerate. The brothers discuss growing up in the illustrious Zobel de Ayala family which founded the business empire in the 19th century, their business philosophy, and what they have planned for the future.

Ballet Manila - Based on the belief that dance could change a child's life, the first Philippine-based prima ballerina Lisa Macuja started funding lessons for poverty-stricken children in Manila. This summer, the first of her scholarship kids will dance in a prestigious international competition in Hong Kong, a fourteen year old girl whose parents are garbage scavengers.

Call Center Capital of the World - The Philippines has become a location of choice for business process outsourcing in the past decade due to its relatively low operational and labor costs. Combined with the young and vibrant workforce, the Philippines is becoming recognized as the so-called 'Call Center Capital of the World'.

Anti-Piracy Training - A third of all the world's seafarers are from the Philippines and since 2006, over 700 Filipino marine workers have been hijacked off the coast of Somalia. The Philippine Government is now making every seafarer undergo mandatory anti-piracy training before they go to sea.

Ending Child Labor - Dante Campilan is just 14, but he works seven hours a day, pulling weeds and tiling the soil barefoot. He is one of an estimated 2.4 million child workers in the Philippines. The Philippine government is trying to fight the problem, aiming to reduce the worst forms of child labor by 75 percent by 2015. 'Eye On The Philippines' reports on how those efforts are taking shape in one community which survives off the global sugar industry.

Poverty and Pag Pag - 'Pagpag' is a Filipino term for leftover food from fast food restaurants which is thrown away in garbage bins but then re-cooked, or sometimes eaten straight from the bins, by the urban poor. This compelling report investigates the situation in the Philippines and the extreme conditions in which these people are living.

Source: http://www.cnnasiapacific.com/press/en/content/800/

Watchiratan Waterfalls

At Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai City.  Highest point in Thailand.

Philippine Travel Tips

Planning your trip to the Philippines:
• Travel light - limit the things you carry with you when you travel. If at all possible, carry just one 9" x 22" x 14" bag with a maximum weight of 20 pounds. If you can manage to limit your bag to this size, you don't have to check-in your luggage at the airport. Upon arrival to your destination, you can go directly to customs while everybody is waiting for their luggage at the carousel. Pack light and pack smart. When choosing what to bring, think in terms of what you can do without rather than what might be handy for the trip.

• When you travel to the Philippines, bring light clothing specially if you're visiting in summer. Cotton Tees, shirts, pants and walking shorts are your best bet. For ladies, a hat with brim will help protect against the heat of the sun. A pair of sunglasses with UV protection is recommended. And if you plan to travel to the countryside or walk a lot, don't forget to bring your comfy sneakers or sandals.

• Note that the Philippines uses 220V of electricity. Most 5-star hotels provide 100V outlets but generally, they are not available, specially in the rural areas. So if you're planning to bring some electronic gadgets, make sure you bring a converter with you.

• Travel tip for smokers: long haul flights can be difficult for smokers. Bring with you a couple of nicotine patches and put one on about an hour before your flight. It is amazing how this small patch can make your craving for a smoke disappear.

Travel Tip on Valuables:
• Avoid bringing valuables. A decent watch and faux accessories (optional) are all you need. But in case you did bring some expensive jewellery, deposit them and your other valuables in the hotel safe (most major hotels provide them for free).

• Make sure you make a photocopies of your passport and tickets just in case you loose them. Keep the copies in a separate locations - place them in the deep pockets of your luggage.

• It is a good idea to use a belt bag to put your money, passport and other valuables when on the road rather than a bag. And position it in front of your body and under your shirt if possible. Better yet, use a money belt and hide it under your clothing.

• Never leave your bag and other valuables on the beach or at the poolside when swimming. It is a lot safer to leave them in your hotel room.

Tipping:
• It is customary to leave a tip when rendered a service. On restaurants, a 10% tip based on the total bill is recommended. However, if there is already a service charge on the bill, a tip then becomes optional.
• Taxis drivers, bellboys, chambermaids, all expect to be tipped. For a short taxi ride, a P20 tip will suffice. But for hotel bellboys and chambermaids, a P100 tip is more appropriate. Adjust the tip according to your length of stay and service rendered.

Shopping Tips:
• If you are about to do some shopping and are scheduled to visit the Philippines, don't. Do your shopping in the Philippines. Even designer clothes are sold cheaper in the Philippines than the countries they are made in. Many Filipinos living overseas come home to see their families and shop at the same time. The savings oftentimes pays for their vacation.

• Aside from the goods, you can save substantially by having your medical, dental and cosmetic needs done in the Philippines. Ask for referrals from friends (or the hotel concierge for minor services) and choose the best ones.

Philippine Travel Seasons:
• June to August is the typhoon season. Although the temperature is moderate and hotel rates are lower, it is not the best time to travel specially if you intend to see the countryside or cross the islands by sea.

• From March to May is summer time and is a good time to see the islands with clear skies and calm waters. You are also assured that no flights or ferry boat trips will be cancelled due to typhoons. Although expect the temperatures to occasionally reach 38 degrees centigrade.

• The best time to see the country is from November to February when the weather is cooler. It is also a good time to see the longest Christmas season in the world. Were Filipinos start to decorate for Christmas as early as October.

General Philippine Travel Tips:
• Filipinos (as with most Asians) are mostly conservative. Act, speak and dress modestly, more so when going to the countryside. In most places, wearing shorts, tees, sleeveless shirts, sandals or sneakers are fine - specially in summer.

• Avoid talking about religion and politics specially to people you have just met. Especially when drinking (alcoholic beverages) this sometimes lead to heated arguments or worse.

• If you are going to Mindanao (southern Philippines) where some areas are predominantly Muslims, dress conservatively - specially the women. And don't call Muslims Moros. It's considered rude.

• When travelling overseas, its always a good practice to get a travel health insurance. Travel health insurance offers peace of mind when abroad. Also, check with local health authorities for any concerns when going to remote villages. And drink only bottled water or canned beverages when unsure of the local water supply.

• Filipinos are a very friendly and welcoming people. The Philippines has a lot to offer its visitors. Discover the country, get to know the people and their culture. Enjoy your visit to the Philippines and Mabuhay!

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