Timely

Timely

Biking makes the body healthy .  Biking is  a very affordable mode of transportation be it for personal or when one reports to the place work and back home..  Through biking one can make new friends.  But is it safe to do this ?  In my city, however,  there is a need still to properly designate lanes for bikers inorder for one to be safe while on the street.  There is a strong move for this group of bikers here to ask government to implement asap the Bicycle Ordinance.  Hence, a group of bikers is asking the authorities for the passage of an implementing rules and regulations so that the law will be properly implemented.  Be safe bikers.  I hope government acts fast .... Here's my story ...

Advocate pushes for safety among biking enthusiasts in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, June 24 (PNA) -- Bike enthusiast and convenor of Cycle for Life is pushing for the rights of bikers on the streets in the same manner accorded to drivers of four-wheel vehicles.

Monica Ayala of Cycle for Life said they are conducting bicycle clinics for biking enthusiasts to brief them of their rights while passing through roads and other thoroughfares.

Ayala who guested at FAST Fridays held at Barrio Fiesta at SM Lanang Premier said they conduct workshops on road safety among schools, of which sone of their regulars are members of the "Ecoteneo" of the Ateneo de Davao University high school students.

Ayala said there are different types of bikers and among them are the daily bikers who use bicycles as their mode of transportation as they report to their place of work.

She said these are common among carpenters, laborers, and other daily wage earners.

"It is just unfortunate to see them compete with the big trucks and other fast moving vehicles without being given the courtesy of a three feet by three feet distance on the right and left," she said.

She said the three feet distance is indicated in the bicycle law.

The Bicycle Ordinance in Davao City was approved in 2006 but did not take off pending the passage of the Implementing Rules and Regulations, she said.

She said their group is supporting this ordinance even as they lobbied continuously for the passage of the corresponding IRR.

She recalled that among the first toy that kids have are bicycles, however most of them stopped biking as parents would not allow them to pursue it because of their exposure to hazards when they move to the main streets.

It could have been a good exercise for the kids rather than confine themselves indoor and instead tinker with their computer which does not involve physical activity, she said.

She also said that economically, bicycle is an alternative mode of transportation because it is less costly compared to the fuel-run vehicles.

In the meantime that Davao City has not finalized the provisions for bicycle lane and the approval of the corresponding IRR for the bicycle ordinance, Ayala said their group will continue to advocate for the safety issue.

Ayala said they are also gearing up for the National Bike Day.

"This is a nationwide activity to be held on November 16, 2014," she said.

She said they will be initiating activities in Davao City to encourage Dabawenyos to join in the celebration by cycling in the city. (PNA) CTB/LCM/PRIXDIGNA D. BANZON/LDP

D Chaingi Airport  ....

Singapore's Chiangi Airport is one airport I would both say "pretty and handsome". It is a friendly gateway where directions are conspicuously posted visible to the public especially to first timers like me. Everything is inorder.  

Singapore was the second country in Asia that we visited and in every destinations that we went through, we label our journey as seamless the moment we stepped into the  airport.  As I travel, I also search about the airport.  There were lots of information about Chiangi Airport and I would like to include here this information from Wikipedia as the source. 

"Changi Airport, is the main airport inSingapore. A major aviation hub in Southeast Asia, it is about 17.2 km (10.7 mi) northeast^[4] from the commercial centre in Changi, on a 13 square kilometres (3,200 acres) site.

Changi Airport has three passenger terminals with a total annual handling capacity of 66 million dpassengers. Terminal 1 opened in 1981, followed by Terminal 2 in 1990 and Terminal 3 in 2008. The Budget Terminal, opened on 26 March 2006 and closed on 25 September 2012, will make way for Terminal 4 which will be ready by 2017.^[7]

In 2013, the airport handled 53.1 million passengers, a 5% increase over the previous year. This made it the fifth busiest airport by international passenger traffic in the world^[8] and the second busiest in Asia by international passenger traffic in 2012. The airport registered 4.92 million passenger movements in December 2012, a growth of 8.6% year-on-year. Changi’s daily record was broken on 21 December 2013, the Saturday before Christmas Day, with 191,800 passengers passing through the 24 hours. In addition to being an important passenger hub, the airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, handling 1.85 million tonnes of cargo in 2013. The total number of commercial aircraft movements was 343,800 in 2012.^[9]

The airport has won over 430 awards since 1981, including 30 'Best' awards in 2012. Changi Airport's efforts to counter the onset of age include periodic physical upgrades to its existing terminals and building new facilities.^{[9]" ....  Wikipedia}

Sharing some photos inside Chiangi Airport.

I Love To Travel ...

With my winged feet, I also love the gateways that I've been to ... I am amazed ... and I love the airports, the airplanes, the people, the lines of suitcases in the carousel, the nice walls, the colored benches, and most of all the clean restrooms ... I like it ... you like it too am sure of that .... I will be posting photos of the airports as entry and exit points of those trips ...

For the love of summer ... the Davao destinations are ready to receive visitors with several events that tourism players prepare for this year.  For those who want to spend the long break here, exciting activities are in store for any one of you out there.  Let us explore our destinations and invite others to hae fun and indulge in the beauty of the beaches, the mountains, the food, the people of course and the fun. Why not go for "One Summerfun, One Davao" ...

Tourism stakeholders promote 'One Summerfun, One Davao'

DAVAO CITY, April 2 (PNA) -- The different stakeholders in Davao Region are one in promoting this year's summer activities dubbed as "One Summerfun, One Davao."

One Davao Tourism Officers Association (ODTOA) president Noel Daquioag said it has been their goal to support each other as they market the different destinations in their respective areas.

"New destinations continue to be uncovered in the different places of the Davao Region," he also said.

A unified promotion of these places will entice tourists to visit the different destinations of the region and creating events will also give them a unique experience," he said.

Acting head of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Region XI Eden Larano said the different local government units come together to complement each other in the promotion of their destinations.

"Because it is summer, most of the events are sports related activities from beach volleyball, mountain climbing, swimming and others," she said.

Digos City tourism head Bebot Felera said they have every summer "Mt. Apo Summer Climb" from April 12 to 20, 2014,that is held in time of the Holy Week. Among others, the participants will be issued a Certificate of Climb. The climb carries a registration fee of P720 for local climber, P432 for student and P1,080 for foreigners.

Meanwhile, Davao del Norte for this summer will have the "Lingaw Sa Tag Araw Summer Workshops" that include workshops on visual art, brass band, dancesport, theater arts, hip-hop dance.

The other event is the Grand Sta. Cruzan which is spearheaded by the Tagum City Tourism Council and the Diocese of Tagum. It is a religious-historical celebration held in small Christian communities Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK) in a presentation in the most colorful May-time festivity which depicts Catholic tradition of procession or parade of Biblical characters and the traditional presentation of the sagala (a religion-historical beauty pageant).

The City of Mati in Davao Oriental has organized "Mati SummerFrolic 2014", an electronic music festival of colors in Barangay Dahican.

Provincial tourism head of Davao Oriental Miguel Troccio said together with this event is the 10th year anniversary celebration of the Amihan sa Dahican surfers which will highlight the Dahican Strip.

Included during the holding of Summerfrolic are beach volleyball, beach frisbee, foam party and the feast on waves of surfing and skim competition.

In Compostela Valley, tourism officer Christine Dumpar said they are also into promoting their pilgrimage site where for this Summer they are encouraging tourists to help in the actual building of houses in Maragusan town where an area there is also badly hit by typhoon Pablo.

Participants, she said will be ushered to a side trip to the different destinations there from mountain climbing and trekking towards the waterfalls and the chance to see the largest flower in the world, Rafflesia, that can only be found in the forests of Maragusan.

She said there are also sports activities in beaches of beach volleyball, duathlon, frisbee, wake-boarding.

Davao City tourism head Lisette Marquez said there will be lined up sports activities even as she said that they will be inviting professional basketball players for this summer's sports event in the city.

Marquez said during summer there is always an increase in arrivals, the city being the island's major destination in the south.

She said fun activities are held and these are done in coordination with the private sector.

Major malls here continue to provide events be it in entertainment or organized activities for the youth and the children, she added. (PNA)

FPV/Digna D. Banzon/ldp

In tourism sites here, what could be the government's plan ?  Check it out with this article I write about their plans for 2013  ...

Davao Norte to prioritize access roads leading to tourism sites

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, April 10 (PNA) -- Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario said that in line with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's tourism program, the province has programmed the building of access roads leading to the different tourism sites here.

Del Rosario cited the concreting of barangay roads around the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) to complement the ongoing concreting of circumferential road connecting the three districts of the island namely Babak, Penaplata and Kaputian.

The proposed project, he said, was already endorsed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), the two departments tasked to identify road network projects that have impact on tourism.

"We already got positive feedback on the proposal," he said.

He said it will involve about P300 million funding and we expect that it will commence by 2014 and completed in 2016.

The provision of access roads in the different barangays of the island will not only allow interior tourism sites be exposed to visitors but also provide the residents livelihood opportunities, he said.

He also pointed out that the highway in Talaingod town leading to Bukidnon is already there and they also recommended that it be supported with more access roads.

"We want to be sure that this road network be protected and its usage maximized," he said.

Del Rosario said the access road goes with the project of sustaining the development of tribal villages.

He said it would be an attraction to visitors because it could easily be reached now that it has already a concrete highway.

He said the Talaingod town is a good site also for mountain resorts.

Meanwhile, Del Rosario said aside from tourism are projects on high value crops as well as entry of investors.

He said talks are ongoing with Malaysian investors on growing of oil palm in two towns namely Asuncion and New Corella.

He said the areas are already identified for the said project. (PNA)

LAP/ASA/Prix Digna D. Banzon/ldp

Come and discover our city ! Here's a story about the opening of MICECON 2013 in Davao City ...

Duterte urges MiceCon delegates to discover Davao

DAVAO CITY, March 7 (PNA) -- As Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte welcomed the delegates of the MICE Con 2013, he urged them to discover the city and see for themselves what the city and the locals can offer them.

Duterte welcomed the delegates during the opening of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibits) Conference 2013 on Thursday held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier in this city with President Simeon Benigno C. Aquino III as the honored guest.

The Vice Mayor said the city government is grateful of hosting the event as “it gives us the opportunity to show to both foreign and local delegates the beauty of its surroundings and the best of our economy.”

He said, “we could learn from each other as well as create good will.”

“Davao City has much to offer,” he said.“But I want you to discover them for yourselves and see what the locals can offer you.”

He said a lot of changes has been happening here from construction of buildings to new business establishments.

“Our population marks at 2 million and still growing,” he said. "That is why we need the investments here."

He said "you can explore our city, spend a vacation, or perhaps open your business here."

The Davao Host Organizing Committee worked closely with the Department of Tourism to ensure the successful hosting of the MICE Con this year.

Experts are assigned to take charge of secretariat activities, attendance, transportation and tours, airport reception, accommodations, MICE Market Place, MICE Mart, socials and food and beverage, ways and means, safety and security, and finance.

During the pre-conference activity, the delegates had the Davao Adventure Challenge at the Davao Crocodile Park Complex as well as a guided tour within the park on March 6.

The Mice Market Place was also opened in the morning of March 7 while the Leaders Forum continued in the afternoon of the same day. A Mayor's Night will be held in the evening at the Grand Ballroom of D'Leonor Inland Resort for the Themed Dinner “Madayaw Dabaw ! Life is Here."

On the final day of the event is the MICE Mart, a business-to-business and face-to-face meeting between buyers and sellers of travel and tour products, services and facilities.

The MICE Con will that run until weekend also dealt mostly for the buyer and seller appointments. Over 500 delegates joined the MICON Con 2013. (PNA) 

FPV/ASA/Prix Digna D. Banzon/ldp

I see magic in this kingdom ...

As fairy tale stories happened in palaces, in kingdoms ... the stories go beyond and travel to all corners of the world ... from places to places ... from one home to another ... the story fits all ages ... to both the young and the grown up, the rich and the poor.

While still a kid I read a lot of fairy tale stories and I still love them until today and when there are new 

movies about fairy tale stories, I find time to watch them.

I also love to watch the movies of Walt Disney Production ... very light ... very entertaining ... it has moral 

lessons.

Cartoons also is my weakness so with our youngest that even at our age, my son already a professional, 

we watch cartoon movies together in the big screen.  It gives us a happy feeling watching these movies.

I thought we are only good up to reading them in books and watching them on TV.

Because my husband surprised us with a trip to DisneyWorld where we traveled for 18 hours by plane from the Philippines with another 48 hours land trip from our point of entry at Washington, DC.

The kids enjoyed every minute that we were there and they had a great time with the Disney characters.

Then we had a second trip and I was amazed with what I saw in the Magic Kingdom. So pretty perfect that kids from all over were so excited with the entertainment, the Disney characters, and the place itself.

Tourists buried themselves on numerous entertainment, classic attractions, spectacular parade and fireworks.

I learned that Magic Kingdom in Disneyworld opened October 1, 1971.

Wikipedia quoted Roy Oliver Disney with this  "Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together. —Roy Oliver Disney 

In a framed poster displayed in the main building there, it said that as a boy Walt Disney was a dreamer. As a boy he traveled the rails of Missouri Pacific Railroad selling newspapers and candy to passengers. His older brother Roy and his Uncle Mike Martin obtained employment with the Sta. Fe Railroad and Walt dreamed of becoming an engineer. His future took a different path but his love for railroad never diminished. In the late 40's, with Walt Disney Production a very successful venture, he focused on building his own railroad, the Carolwood Pacific, a 1/8 scale, live steam railway that traveled 2,600 feet of track around his backyard. The miniature served as the model of Disneyworld Rairoad and the inspiration of the Disney World Railroad.

Reading this I was in awe on the courage of Walt Disney, where from a humble beginning, he went on dreaming and fulfilling that dream.

At the Magic Kingdom a lot of beautiful structures unfolded and my eyes was caught by the Cinderella Palace so amazed seeing it personal because I watched the many structures including the Cinderella Palace of DisneyWorld only on TV.

Awesome, wonderful, amazing entertainment.

There are lots of enjoyment while there.  There are lots of spaces to explore.

For me, it is a place to also dream and be inspired.  For one to work on that dream, reaching out, focusing on it, praying hard that one day that dream come true. My trip to Disney was among the many dreams in my life and yes indeed it was "a dream come true".

Sharing my story on Davao's organized sail pass for foreign sailors set to join Sail Morotai in Indonesia ...

Foreign sailors pick Samal Island as starting point for 2012 Sail 

Morotai in Indonesia 

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SMALL, Davao del Norte, Sept. 7 (PNA) --Eleven yachts manned by 

sailors from several countries took off Thursday here towards Indonesia for the 2012 Sail Morotai, 

highlighting the island of Morotai in North Maluku which is site of the World War II battle waged 

under Allied Commander General Douglas MacArthur on September 1944. 

The yachters have chosen this island city in the Davao Region as their starting point for Sail Morotai 

when the 11 sailboats made the traditional sail pass as sailors bade good bye to Dabawenyos who 

sent them off Thursday morning for a safe journey. Dabawenyos waved Philippine flaglets as a horn 

blared signalling a safe and fun sailing. 

  

The private sector activity was held at the Ocean View marina owned by the Holiday Island Garden 

Development Corporation of the Bangayan's family. 



Participants were Australians Michael and Rosemary Lewis (S.V. Expiditus, 36-foot monohull); Daryl 

Nelson (S.V. Metana 2, 38-ft. monohull); Bruno Hammerler (S.V. Freiheit, 38-ft. monohull); 

Christopher and Daun Morris (S.V. More Magic, 43-ft. monohull); Trevor Burridge (S.V. Gadfly, 44-

ft. monohull); Heinrich and Rosita Hetzel (S.V. Ela, 43-ft. catamaran); and Alan Chalk and Marife S. 

Banez (S.V. Break-Away, 43-ft. catamaran). 

Other nationalities were Dutchmen Johannes A.M. Van Run and Maria Helma Verdonk (S.V. Alk, 39-ft. 

monohull); Americans Walter and Jane LeCompte (S.V. Calixto, 46-ft. monohull); Paul and Robyn 

Carpenter of New Zealand (S.V. Shiralee, 35-ft. catamaran); and Belgians Luc Callebaut and Jackie 

Lee (S.V. Sloepmouche, 46-ft. trimaran). 

Gene Bangayan, who is also president of the Davao Tourism Association (DATA), said that through 

social networking and after several exchanges of messages, the group came to Davao and docked their 

sailboats at the marina for some maintenance check in time for their journey to Indonesia. 

The group arrived here middle of August and had the chance to visit places and learned Davao's 

culture, crafts and tradition. "Although they stay in their boats, they go around and experience what our 

city can offer," she said. 

Bangayan said the sailors were issued a special visa by the Indonesian government with no registration 

fee which would allow them to stay in Indonesia for two to six months. She said the Indonesian 

government spearheads the annual sailing activity to promote their different island destinations 

including Talaud which is the nearest point to Talikud Island of Samal. 

On Sept. 15, 1944, allied forces from the United States and Australia under Supreme Commander 

General Douglas MacArthur landed on Morotai and defeated small Japanese troop remaining stationed 

there. Morotai became the air and naval base of the Allied Forces in the South West Pacific that helped 

free the Philippines from Japanese occupation. 

More than 120 yachts are expected to participate in the 2012 Sail Morotai from various countries 

including Australia, Philippines and Malaysia. It will take the yachters some eight days to sail from 

Samal Island to Morotai or arrive about September 15 to 17. 

Bangayan said they are now working on Davao's regular participation on leisure sailing aiming to 

launch the Sail Philippines in 2013 where sailboat owners can participate for fun. 

"We thought of expanding and sustaining our linkage with them (sailors) in order for them to come back 

and bring more participants by initiating events in Mindanao," she said. 

Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Art Boncato said considering that participation will 

be from different countries, "we will elevate it to national scale and mark it as an identifying event for 

Sail Philippines." 

He said this requires lot of interventions but DOT will take the lead in getting inter-agency support like 

the Customs Immigration Quarantine Security (CIQS) task force. 

"But in the future perhaps we can have our own sailing brand as the island is full of eco-adventure, 

eco-tourism," he said. 

Boncato said the sailors that just left Davao have their own blogs where they can talk about their 

experiences here, a good exposure on what Davao offers which can draw interests from around the 

world. (PNA) LAM/PrixDignaDBanzon/LDP/UTB