Visit Bohol 2015: Let's Help Boost Philippine Tourism

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The three-day 'Visit Bohol 2015' event last January 9 to 11, 2015 has just concluded at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati city last Sunday but our adventure in Bohol is just about to begin. Hopefully we would see Bohol sometime this year as soon as we get all necessary arrangements and scheduling polished and finalized before summer time ends.

With special guest Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Mon Jimenez inspiring the crowd as Keynote Speaker, plus the presence of other key players leading the 'Visit Bohol 2015' tourism campaign, the event aims to revitalize the province's image and entice more visitors to come to Bohol.

Defiantly rising from the rubble of the previous calamities that struck it, Bohol would not be a hard sell since inspite many tourist attractions that were brought down and damaged, the province continues to remain one of the most promising tourist destinations offering a wide variety of experiences that will fascinate all senses.

As the host of the launch said, you cannot afford to die without seeing the tarsier. You can not fully say you've been to Bohol if you have not seen the adorable creature with its eyes almost popping out to greet you welcome to Bohol.

'Visit Bohol 2015' was launched under the leadership of Gov. Edgar Chatto and organized by the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council Inc. under Atty. Lucas Nunag, the campaign seeks to position the province as a top-notch tourist destination with its amazing natural attractions and its friendly and honest people. The travel fair gathered together all major players in the Bohol tourism sector with a single-minded objective of providing a strong boost to Bohol’s tourism industry.

#CavEAT: Cavinti Eco-Adventure Tour (Day One)

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Our first day at Cavinti, Laguna was an exhilarating adventure that tested our endurance. Imagine walking downwards from Pueblo El Salvador Eco-Park towards the Cavinti Falls situated at the very bottom, rappelling down at some points, then climbing back afterwards on the same path - obviously harder since you're now against gravity plus the fact that you'll be climbing vertically using metal ladders that's times ten your height - forgive the exaggeration.

But we endured both fear of heights and pain of our legs, since the sight down below is a majestic display of the enchanting wonders of nature. Who wouldn't be at awe with the spectacular creation crafted by nature to entice us further to appreciate the rest of the world's natural wonders.

The Cavinti Falls, more popularly known as Pagsanjan Falls but geographically right to be called the former,  is truly an awesome reward to all the sacrifice. Just like climbing Mt. Pulag, that very moment you reach your destination brings a delightful feeling that would forever be unforgettable.

I will tell you more about the highlights of our first day in Cavinti on my final or wrap-up blog about our adventures. From the very first steps on its soil, to our sumptuous meals from morning until sundown, to our meeting with its Mayor, the honorable Milbert Oliveros, and so on.

Arbol de Fuego: Cherie Gil Leads Cast of Filipino Adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"It's serendipitous!" says Cherie Gil proudly as she lands a role in a play entitled 'Arbol de Fuego' that would honorably cap the 47th season of the iconic theater company we all know as the Philippine Educational Theater Association  or PETA. 

Arbol de Fuego is a Filipino adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Cherry Orchard. This is a re-imagining of the classic play having a somber yet with underlying sarcasm and humor that's now conveniently situated in a Philippine setting during the late 70s when Marcos made Roberto Benedicto his sugar czar- the beginning of the downfall of the Negros Occidental sugar industry and the gilded lifestyles of the Negrense sugar barons.

Last January 8, members of the media, including yours truly, the friendly neighborhood Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas, were invited to witness a dramatic reading of some portions of the play at the PETA Theater Center so we could meet the cast, director and writer, plus get glimpses of what to expect.

All of the cast have expressed that they have not even fully understood the characters they were portraying as they have only recently began rehearsing their lines and sink deeper into their roles. Nevertheless the preview was already promising that got us more excited to watch out for the media preview day.