The City Government of Davao, in cooperation with the Davao Association of Tour Operators and the Davao Tourism Association, will be holding the 1st Davao Summerfest from April 29 to May 29, 2011. In full support of this endeavor are the Davao Travel Agency Association, GUIDE-Davao, Small Hotels Association of Davao, Davao Airline Operators Association, and the Davao Cooperative Center for Visitors and Conventions.

The 1st Davao Summerfest was organized to address the need to hold an event during summer in Davao City, a season when the city receives the most number of tourists, as well as to complement the city’s existing major festivals — Araw ng Dabaw and the Kadayawan Festival. With the development of a new festival, Davao City will aim to establish itself as a primary summer destination in the country.

This year’s Summerfest will showcase a series of events that will focus on sports, eco-adventure, and entertainment for both visitors and locals to enjoy during the summer season. As the guests can participate in the line-up of events during the Summerfest, they can also enjoy the diverse man-made and natural attractions of the city.

Blessed with “natural venues” for outdoor sports, the Summerfest will allow visitors to see and experience the wonders of Davao Gulf, Davao River, as well as the well-paved roads leading to the mountains of Marilog, where one can also hold various eco-adventure activities.

This is also an opportunity for local facility owners, tour operators and sports organizers to showcase Davao’s various sports adventure facilities, such as zip lines, a wakeboarding park, river rafting, kayaking, mountain climbing, spelunking, among many others. The city can also highlight its existing facilities that can readily host world class competitions, such as golf courses.

The Summerfest will not only generate revenue for the city during the summer season but will also promote camaraderie, project a wholesome image for the community, and promote an interest in sports and healthy living among the youth.

Holding an annual Summerfest will also ensure a regular flow of tourists throughout the year as it will lure them to come back, not just to compete in sports for the following summer, but also to enjoy the sights that Davao City can offer all year long.

Schedule of Activities

For more information, please visit Tourism Davao on Facebook.

Cultural Confluence II

Ten artists from Cebu, Davao, Manila and France will converge this 28th of March in CULTURAL CONFLUENCE II, an art exhibit that aims to cross boundaries in terms of artistic expression and cultures.

First ran in Cebu City last year at the SM Art Center, the Davao Museum of History and Ethnography takes the challenge this year to bring together artists from different geographical locations and artistic traditions & leanings, to initiate fresh connections and foster new perceptions.

Featured artists are Lito Pepito, Arnel Villegas, Josie Tionko and Jurie Jaime from Davao; Cesar Duazo-Pepito and Darby Alcoseba from Cebu; Seb Chua, Armida Francisco and Louie Ignacio from Manila; and Rémy Rault from France.

The exhibit will run at the Davao Museum’s Don Antonio O. Floirendo Gallery until 28 May 2011. The Davao Museum of History and Ethnography is located in Insular Village Phase I, Lanang, Davao City. For inquiries, call (82)233-1734.

[Media Release]

Davao is a blessed city: a vast land that is rich, a climate that is enviable (if a bit too humid at times), and a people who — though not possessing a long history vis-à-vis the Philippines’ major tribes — do come together as Dabawenyos and celebrate it.

Davao holds many charms for her visitors and her residents, so much so that the former becoming the latter is a not-so-uncommon occurrence. The simple pleasure of having the conveniences of modern life in a city that has still retained its small-town allure is attractive to many who’ve become weary of big city life.

This, however, is causing Davao to grow very fast indeed. In effect, present infrastructure and local government services do not seem to be coping very well with the increasing demands of an exponentially-growing population. The new mayor, Sarah Duterte-Carpio, to be fair, does show promise of having a keen eye on the future. We would do well to stand by her and support her developmental efforts, but remain critical, in a constructive manner, as well.

In light of the calamities that continue to befall Japan, some of whose cities share a sister-cityhood pact with Davao, I am certain I speak for all Dabawenyos in saying that we deeply sympathasize with the Japanese people. I know that, through their discipline and unmatched sense of community, the Japanese will again be celebrating their many festivals again soon.

Below is an insipring photograph by renowned (and yet very personable) Dabawenya writer & photographer, Jojie Alcantara-Ng. It shows the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) edifice and the Monument of Peace and Unity, an evocative sculpture by Dabawenyo artist, Kublai Millan.

Monument of Peace and Unity

Malipayong Adlaw sa Dabaw kaninyong tanan!!

Here is the calendar of activities, courtesy of the Mindanao Tourism Council (MTC), which is providing promotional support to the project:

For the benefit of the uninitiated, the Island Garden City of Samal — or “IGACoS” — is a component city of Davao Province (also known as Davao del Norte). It is best reached, however, through Davao City by air. To get to the island, you can go by banca or by ferryboat (roro). By helicopter? Sure, if you have the moolah, you can!

The government of IGACoS is issuing passports to tourists going to the island. Yes, that’s right: a passport for your summer trip to this southern paradise! You’ll be able to enjoy discounts and freebies from participating resorts and other establishments on Samal, from March to May 2011. Who knows, there might be a contest of some sort for the passport holder with the most number of stamps!

For more information or for assistance with bookings, please contact (82)221-0070 or email organiczar[at]gmail.com. Check out the event’s Facebook page, too!

Hey, Twitterers out there! Please use the #samal hashtag to talk about the island and this summer’s events!

With the success of its first running event, RunClub Davao is keeping the momentum with a new adventure, the “Asics Davao Run”, which will happen on 20 February 2011 at 5:00a.m. The starting line will be at Plaza del Carmen, A. Loyola St., Bo. Obrero, Davao City.

RunClub, the first and only Running Specialty Store in Davao City, in partnership with Asics, the world renowned Japanese maker of top performance running footwear, is gearing up for a longer route with 3 distinct categories: 4K, 7K and 15K. This event is open to all male and female runners who are up to improving their performance and trying out longer distances.

“Those who usually run 10K races can now start training for 15K. Or runners who run 5K can try 7K. It’s a way to encourage runners to aim for something higher and set out for bigger challenges. Though the first run organized by RunClub last November was an astounding success, we will make this run bigger, more challenging and more rewarding.”
Monchit Mackay, General Manager of RunClub Davao

The Asics Davao Run will have its Start/Finish line at Plaza del Carmen. A road race with an uphill challenge will confront runners as they pass along J.P. Laurel Avenue going up the Buhangin flyover. The 4K runners will turn left onto Dacudao Avenue and head back to Loyola Street. The 7K runners will go through Buhangin Road and have their turning point at the Buhangin-Diversion Road Interchange area and head back to Dacudao Avenue and Loyola Street. The 15K runners will run along Diversion Road to its turning point at the Crocodile Park and back to the Buhangin-Dacudao Avenue-Loyola Street route.

The registration fee is pegged at ₱350.00, inclusive of an Asics performance singlet, race bib, light breakfast and a specially-made finisher’s certificate. All registered participants can also take advantage of a one-time 15% discount on all regular-priced Asics products at RunClub Davao from the time they register until 15 March 2011.

An estimated 1,200 runners coming from different parts of Mindanao are expected to join this race as prizes are summed up to more than ₱100,000.00, including items that will be raffled off during the event. The Asics Davao Run is also supported by MIX FM 105.9 (the official radio station), Sun•Star Davao (the official media partner), Plaza del Carmen and Sports Town.

Registration has already started last 26 January 2011 at RunClub Davao, Plaza del Carmen, A. Loyola St. (formerly Trade School Drive) in Bo. Obrero. You may call 222-8-RUN (8-786) for more details. Or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. Or e-mail them.

Manila—Birdwatchers, conservationists and eco-tourism promoters from all over Asia and elsewhere have their eyes on the Philippines, which is hosting Asia’s first-ever region-wide bird festival.

The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines said the First Asian Bird Fair will be held in Davao City from 24 to 26 September 2010, in tandem with the 6th Philippine Bird Festival, the country’s premier avian conservation and eco-tourism event. The milestone event is co-hosted by the Philippine Eagle Foundation and the Davao City local government.

The First Asian Bird Fair — themed “Nurture Nature, Save our Future” — is a common initiative of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, the Chinese Wild Bird Federation, the Wild Bird Society of Taipei, the Malaysian Nature Society and the Nature Society (Singapore).

The Asian Bird Fair, which highlights the respective bird festivals of the participating countries, seeks to enrich eco-tourism through birdwatching and promote the natural and cultural heritage of host cities.

The Asian Bird Fair and 6th Philippine Bird Festival will be held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao on 24-25 September, in time for the autumn migration of birds from Japan, China and parts of Siberia. Entrance to the Asian Bird Fair exhibit area is free of charge, according to organizers.

Highlights of the fair include the Bird Conservation Forum and turn-over ceremony to representatives of the Chinese Wild Bird Federation, host of next year’s Asian Bird Fair in Tainan City. International and Philippine delegates will also tour the Philippine Eagle Center and Eden Garden Resorts while in Davao.

WBCP president Michael Lu said the fair will include photo exhibits, presentations and fun activities for the young “and young at heart.” Children can also look forward to a guided tour at low tide of the tidal flats fronting the Waterfront Insular Hotel, where children can have a close look at marine species like fiddler crabs and mudskippers as well as spectacular views of herons, egrets and shorebirds.

Lu expects the event to draw birdwatchers, conservationists, eco-tourism promoters, sustainable development providers, and nature lovers from around the country, Asia and Europe.

Alice Villa-Real, chair of the committee organizing the 1st Asian Bird Festival and 6th Philippine Bird Festival, said the latest initiative is a significant move to draw attention to pressing conservation issues.

“We can make a significant difference to protect the rich bird life and habitats of our islands, whilst promoting responsible enjoyment of nature and encouraging related sustainable businesses in the local communities,” Villa-Real pointed out.

International groups participating in the Asian Bird Festival are Chinese Wild Bird Federation, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Malaysian Nature Society, Nature Society of Singapore, Wild Bird Society of Taipei, the Shanghai Wild Bird Society, Fujian Birdwatching Society, Kaoshiung Wild Bird Society, Wild Bird Society of Tainan, Hong Kong Birdwatching Society, Eco-education and Resources Center, Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network, Borneo Bird Club, Hornbill Research Foundation, the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association, Bird Conservation Nepal and the Oriental Bird Club confirmed participation in the event.

Local organizations joining are Conservation International, Fauna and Flora International, Katala Foundation, WWF-Philippines, Birding Adventure Philippines, Kaakbay, Malagos Garden Resort, Monfort Bat Cave & Conservation Foundation, Philippine Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, Philippine Wild Bird Photographers, My Zoo Foundation, City of Alaminos (Pangasinan), City of Balanga (Bataan) and the Municipality of Candaba (Pampanga).

Event sponsors include the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the City Government of Davao, Team Energy Foundation, Primer Group, Aboitiz Power, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Tanduay Distillers, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Fauna & Flora International, Philippine Association of Wildlife Veterinarians, C. K. Lu Enterprises, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, Grand Men Seng Hotel and NCCC Mall.

“Palamantasan ng Sarap” — a witty play of words, don’t you think? The idea, according to Cheez Whiz senior brand manager, Paolo Serrano, is to make an educational campaign more fun so that kids will take to it and, thus, learn from it. If you take a look at the Palamantasan website, you’ll know what they mean by engaging kids in a way that’ll get their attention.

At the launching of Palamantasan in Davao, which was held at the Buhangin Central Elementary School, several local grade schools participated in competitions that were designed to create awareness of nutrition issues. There were the usual contests, such as the Sabayang Pagbigkas (group speech contest), cheering, and essay-writing. There was also a unique event called “Jarchitecture“, where participating pupils unleashed their creativity in crafting buildings or robots made of empty Cheez Whiz bottles and caps.

The contest that I liked, though, was the Mom & Child Sandwich-Making Contest. There were three teams that competed at Buhangin Central, and it was fun to watch the pairs (two mom-and-daughter and one mom-and-son teams) concoct fancy- and yummy-looking healthy snacks.

“These schoolchildren are at the stage of developing a sense of responsibility,” explains Serrano. “This is why we want them to realize the significance of proper nutrition themselves — through a series of fun, creative and learning activities.”

Studies by the Philippine government have shown that millions of Filipino children are malnourished. That’s why, among the poorer sectors of society, it’s not uncommon to see ten-year-old kids looking like they were barely six. This could stem from the lack of education about proper nutrition in many Filipino families. What Kraft Foods has started, therefore, is worthy of praise.

I hope that many more big corporations, especially those involved in the food industry, will take it upon themselves to help eradicate the country’s nutrition problems. Better yet, it would be great for other companies to get on board and make a pledge to theh Palamantasan initiative. It will ultimately benefit them, too, because they would be ensuring a healthy workforce for the future.

As for schools that aren’t yet part of the program, they would do well to urge their students to join Palamantasan. I remember when I was in Grade School, it was always fun to take part in those fun-filled activities that involved food. Little did we know that we were in fact learning from the experience already! As Palamantasan has reminded me, the best way to get kids interested is to get their attention through exciting and challenging activities — and with a full stomach in the mix, the Cheez Whiz Palamantasan program certainly concocted the best formula!

It is our privilege to be given an opportunity to share with you the programs of AIM, considered to be one of our country’s invaluable contributions to management development in the region.

AIM was co-founded by the Harvard Business School, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University in 1968. It has had more than forty years of experience in training managers, entrepreneurs and development leaders in both the public and private sectors. Our degree programs — Master in Business Administration, Master in Management, and the Master in Development Management — and our executive, non-degree programs are practitioner-oriented. Using the case method, our programs have a distinctly Asian focus, providing intensive exposure to management principles and best practices in Asia.

The Asian Institute of Management has a strategic role in unlocking these opportunities and to carve the destiny of our region by being an active player in regional integration. Our goal is seek to develop managers, entrepreneurs and leaders who:

• Are knowledgeable and uniquely capable of operating effectively in Asia;
• Have a good understanding of the business opportunities presented by Asian regional economic integration (i.e. from West and South Asia to Southeast and Northeast Asia); and
• Are sensitive to the diverse cultures/belief systems, business structures, as well as governance and regulatory environment

AIM is fortunate to have had a head start as the pioneer business school in Asia, with its accompanying advantages:

• AIM has one of the largest and strategically positioned alumni networks in over 75 countries, with more than 33,000 alumni;
• We have among the most extensive lists of institutional private and public sector clients in the region; and
• Our faculty has had extensive teaching experience in Asia.

On behalf of AIM we would like to invite you to our events on June 9 & 10, 2010.

The AIM Preview on June 9, 5:30pm at the Marco Polo Hotel will highlight our Master in Business Administration and Masters in Management. Learn more about how these programs can bring your career to a higher level. Know more about AIM through your fellow Davaoeños who are students and graduates of AIM.

There will be a one-day admission process on 10 June, 9:00am. To avail of this opportunity, please email enrollment.management.aim [at] gmail.com for the application form. You may take the AIM Admission Test (AIMAT) at the Marco Polo Hotel. After passing the exam, you will be interviewed by the AIM faculty roster. Please confirm attendance by emailing the above address before 8 June, 5:00pm.

Alternatively, you may download the AIM application form from here.

There are several events lined up, including a Green Mobilization and a wildlife photography workshop. Please see the schedule below for more information.

Below is the poster for GreenMob 2010, a movement that’s in line with the Foundation’s objective of saving the eagle’s natural habitat. Everyone is encouraged to join and spread the word about the importance of saving our environment — not only for the eagle but for ourselves.

This poster is for Race for Pag-Asa, Race Against Climate Change:

The Foundation and the Eagle Center are located in Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City. (Dabawenyos commonly refer to this place as being in Calinan.) Tel. no.: 271-2337. Fax: 301-1033. E-mail: info[at]philippineeagle.org. For snail-mail correspondence, please use the following address:

The Philippine Eagle Foundation
PO Box 81015
8000 Davao City
Philippines

Happy Eagle Week to all!

Representing the Philippine Women’s College of Davao, Eevee bested out 12 of the best college bands from across the country during the Finals night. This year’s finalist bands that performed at the Ninoy Aquino Sports Stadium this year are: Little School House (Ateneo de Cagayan – Xavier University), Eevee (Philippine Women’s College – Davao), Disco…Disco…Disco (St. Michael’s College – Iligan City), Lady Suzette (AMA – Tacloban), Sundae Special (Iloilo Doctors College), 3 Hours and 10 (University of the Visayas – Cebu), Iktuz (Colegio de San Juan De Letran Calamba – Calamba Laguna), Mixed Tape (Lyceum – St. Cabrini College of Allied Medicine – Batangas), In Descent (University of Perpetual Help Laguna – Binan Laguna), Nameless Heroes (Mapua Institute of Technology – Makati), Play (Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Quezon City), Soltera (AMA – International Institute of Technology – Cubao) and Project (Jose Rizal University).

“We are very overwhelmed with this victory. All the bands that were with us on our ‘journey to fame’ were really good and it was anybody’s game up until show time. We would like to thank NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool for this opportunity for us to realize our dreams as music superstars,” exclaimed Eevee’s frontman, Enzo Villegas.

The NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool finalists performed alongside some of the country’s best bands who served as the finalists’ mentors leading up to the Grand Finals Night. The young musicians got to interact, jam and perform alongside chart toppers like NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool Grand Prize Winners Hilera and Letter Day Story, 6CycleMind, Pedicab, Itchy Worms, Imago, Sugarfree, Taken By Cars, Urbandub, Spongecola, Paraluman, Callalily, Sandwich and Moonstar 88. Known dance group Philippine All Stars brought the audience to their feet with their performances. Another rare sight during the NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool Grand Finals Night was when all the vocalists from this year’s mentor bands banded together and shared the stage for one outstanding performance. “It didn’t feel like a competition at all during the Grand Finals Night. Yes, we were nervous but in the end the entire night became a celebration of how much the Filipino youth loves music. We’re really proud to be part of this experience — winning the Grand Prize was just the cherry on top of the delicious cake,” Villegas added.

“NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool’s fifth year has proven to be its most exciting so far. We not only found extraordinary talents this year — the competition has never been this close among the finalists. We’re very proud to see the progress all the finalists have made ever since we saw them during the Eliminations leg in October. Eevee, along with the other 12 finalists this year, have all shown that handa na silang sumikat with the lessons they gained from NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool. If anything, the talent we discovered with this year’s competition only proves that the Filipino youth are indeed ready to make a big splash in the music industry,” said Eileen Rose Bangcoro, NESTLÉ Philippines marketing promotions and events cluster head for NESCAFÉ.

Aside from Bangcoro, the judges during the Grand Finals Night were Sony Music Entertainment Philippines’ Vic Valenciano and Jerrick Mina, Soupstar Entertainment’s Darwin Hernandez, and Soundcreation Studio’s Shinji Tanaka.

This year’s NESCAFÉ 3in1 Soundskool, with the theme “Huwag Na Magtago! Magparamdam Ka Na!” is supported by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, Paseo de Bahamas, Rudy Project, Boracay Scuba, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Ix Chel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu.

For more details, log on to the NESCAFÉ 3n1 Soundskool site. View Eevee’s Facebook fan page as well!

[Media release & photos courtesy of Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Manila]