THE PUBLIC’s satisfaction with key government institutions steadied last quarter, though only the Cabinet’s performance flattened, remaining “good,” according to results of a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey. Read the full story.
ECONOMIC GROWTH likely accelerated last quarter on robust domestic consumption, bigger government spending and export recovery, according to analysts polled by BusinessWorld last week. Read the full story.
g
½ cup butter
2 tbsp garlic, minced
4 tbsp medium onion, sliced
2 tbsp red bell pepper, sliced
½ cup chicken, boiled and shredded
½ cup Jolly Whole Mushrooms, sliced
½ cup Jolly Straw Mushrooms, sliced
½ cup Jolly Premium Shiitake Mushrooms, sliced
1 tbsp all purpose flour
½ cup Jolly Cow Fresh Milk
½ cup chicken stock
2 tbsp soy sauce
½ cup Jolly Green Peas
½ cup Jolly Whole Kernel Corn
salt and pepper to taste
pastry dough (puff pastry)
MENTION KOREA and images of its culture — both modern and traditional — are readily conjured. Korean pop music, beauty products, the hanbok, the colorful and vibrant Nanta, and even characters of countless Korean dramas come to mind.
What Korea is not widely known as — at least not yet — is a cruise destination even though this peninsula in northeast Asia is surrounded by three different seas.
With the Yellow Sea bordering its western shore, the East China Sea on the south, and the Sea of Japan on the east, the Land of the Morning Calm may well be the ideal port of call for the growing global cruise tour industry.
A cruise is a unique mode of vacation: it offers multiple destination, various onboard activities, is (usually) family friendly, and, depending on the chosen package, can be great value for money.
Based on statistics culled by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) on the Asian cruise tour industry, Shanghai still leads as far as the number of departures by home port with 437 in 2016, with Hong Kong at a distant second with 185, and Tianjin in China following with 124 departures.
While Korea has still to become a home port of major cruise lines, it is slowly making a mark in the industry by hosting foreign cruise ships in its five major cruise ports, namely Jeju, Busan, Incheon, Yeosu, and Gangwon.
In 2016, 2.26 million tourists entered Korea through foreign cruise ships. There were 821 port entries last year, nearly double the 412 port entries in 2015, bringing in 1.05 million visitors. Notably, there were only 24 foreign cruise ships when Korea opened its ports in 2004, ferrying only over 10,000 passengers.
During 4th Korea Cruise Travel Mart held in Seoul in April, Korea’s Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism, together with the KTO, marketed the country as an ideal destination for cruise tours as it has ports and terminals in Jeju, Incheon, Busan, and Yeosu, as well as ports that can accommodate large cruise ships in Sokcho and Donghae in Gangwon.
During the event, various tour offerings were presented to entice more foreign cruise ships to dock.
“I hope that the Cruise Travel Mart serves as an important opportunity to diversify Korea’s cruise market and also to promote growth not only in terms of quantity but also of quality,” said Kyunhee Suhl, KTO’s Food and Cruise Team Director.
Michael Lim, Sales Manager of MSC Cruises, which is owned and operated by Singapore-based Modern Shipping and Travels Pte. Ltd. and one of the foreign participants of the Travel Mart, said it is interesting to learn what Korea can offer the vibrant cruise industry.
“Korea, considering that it is surrounded by seas and with its many ports, has a lot of potential (in terms of getting a fair share of the cruise market),” said Mr. Lim, at the sidelines of the Travel Mart.
MSC Cruises already has a presence in Busan and, to a certain extent, Jeju, but only operating from Shanghai.
“As a tourist destination, Korea has always been marketable because of its four seasons, which many Asian countries like Singapore do not enjoy. But cruising is an added tourism opportunity,” Mr. Lim added.
A seasoned traveler who has built his career in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry, Mr. Lim said cruising is “ideal and hassle-free” as one needs to pack and unpack one’s bag only once. There is never a dull moment as there are many activities on board, and port stops make the whole experience more appealing.
Even among Filipinos, cruising is slowly becoming an alternative form of travel. To address the growing local demand, Star Cruises recently launched its “Jewels of the South China Sea” cruise and marked the first homeport deployment of Superstar Virgo in the Philippines.
However, as can be expected, the wise Filipino tourist would want to be apprised of what a Korean cruise stop can offer before investing his hard-earned money in what is often perceived as an expensive vacation.
Busan Port, acknowledged as Korea’s premiere port city, is comprised of the Busan International Passenger Terminal, which opened in August 2015; the Gamman Pier; and the Yeongdo Cruise Terminal, where construction is underway to expand and reinforce its berthing facilities in order to accommodate ships as large as 220,000 tons.
Busan offers five themed courses for cruise passengers. The “healing course” is unique as it takes tourists to, among others, the Igidae Skywalk, the Beomeosa Temple, and the Shinsegae Centum City, the world’s largest department store which surprisingly houses a natural hot spring.
Jeju, on the other hand, is on expansion mode, with a cruise berth to be completed and opened in the southern part of the island by the second half of the year. There are four key courses that Jeju visitors can enjoy, most noteworthy of which is the so-called Volcanic Landscape Tour Course. Passengers can visit the Manjaggul Cave, which is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, as well as the Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, a crater formed by a shallow underwater explosion.
Incheon, the gateway to Korea, also has five major tour courses, the primary of which is the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Tour.
Sang Young Yoon, director of the Passenger Business Team of the Incheon Port Authority, said not only will an international passenger terminal soon rise in Incheon, but a complementary mixed-use center that will have condominium complexes, commercial establishments, schools, and other facilities that will transform the area into a smart city.
Meantime, Yeosu offers three routes that take visitors to key destinations in the city. The Expo Ocean Park Course leads to the Yeosu Expo Park, Odongdo Island, Jinamgwan Guesthouse, which is the country’s largest single wooden structure. The breathtaking view of the sea can be enjoyed from the Yeosu Ocean Railbike.
In Gangwon Province, there are two ports — the Donghae and Sokcho Port, where most ships dock. As it will host the 2018 Winter Olympics Games with the events to be held in Pyeong Chang, it boasts of its Olympic Tour Course which gives visitors the chance to visit the Alpensia Resort, where the ski jumping event will be held, as well as Daegwallyeong Ranch, the only sheep farm in Korea.
Jasmin Jayeon An, marketing director of the Gangwon Maritime Tourism Center, said aside from the standard tour courses, cruise lines and tourists have more reason to include Korean facilities as their ports of call.
“There is something for everyone. Especially in Sokcho and Donghae, which are both part of Gangwon, we hold a lot of festivals and other events that will surely fascinate tourists from different countries, including the Philippines,” said Ms. An.
Korea’s ports are beckoning for a unique travel experience, it may be well worth heeding the call.
IN JANUARY, Star Cruises — a Hong Kong-based cruise line under the Genting Hong Kong umbrella — announced that its flagship, the Superstar Virgo, was to use Manila as its home port from March to May.
This was a very welcome development for a country whose tourism industry is playing catch-up with its neighbors and it was the first time in recent memory that such a well-known cruise line has set its sights on the Philippines as a homeport.
For three months, the line’s 18-year-old flagship would be shuttling Filipinos and international passengers from Manila to Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Hong Kong before returning to Manila.
But while this is the kind of break that the country needs — it welcomed close to six million international visitors last year compared with Indonesia’s 12 million international visitors and Malaysia’s estimated 27 million international visitors — it was a fact that the ports are not yet ready to handle a cruise ship which can regularly handle close to 2,000 tourists and more than a thousand crew members.
“We were pitching Manila as a home port, maybe three years down the line when the infrastructure is ready but Star Cruises was adamant that they would home port in Manila this year,” Maria Corazon G. Jorda-Apo, director IV of the market development group of the Department of Tourism (DoT), told reporters during the inaugural cruise which ran from March 19 to 24.
It was a vote of confidence, she said, that such a large cruise operator was insistent that they use Manila as a home port. It was a sign that the market — if not the infrastructure — is ready for a full-fledged cruise industry.
Star Cruises is the third-largest cruise operator in the world (after Carnival Corp. and the Royal Caribbean Cruises) and certainly the largest in Asia.
THE CURRENT CRUISING INDUSTRY
Last year, the country welcomed 72 port calls. This year the number is expected to reach 117 port calls and with it an estimated 122,000 passengers.
Compared to other Asian ports such as Singapore and Hong Kong, which welcomed 374 and 200 port calls in 2014, the Philippines still has a lot of catching up to do. The DoT is banking on improving the industry as it is one of the nine product portfolios identified in the DoT’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-2022 which aims to “enhance the competitiveness of the country as a tourist destination in the Asia Pacific region,” according to a press release.
Other portfolios are nature-based; cultural, sun and beach; MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions); leisure and entertainment; diving and marine sports; health, wellness and retirement; and, educational tourism.
“As a key element of our strategy, we are determined to build new dedicated cruise facilities, most especially in Manila. A superior cruise port and terminal in the capital, with its extensive airlift and ground facilities, will create a compelling reason for large ships to spend time in the Philippines,” said Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., undersecretary and heads the Cruise Development Committee for the Philippines in the press release.
In March, Mr. Bengzon, Jr. represented the Philippines in signing an agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises which “will be providing all the necessary technical and financial support towards the building of a purpose-built terminal either in Caticlan or Boracay,” said a press release.
The construction of the terminal is said to “further open Western Visayas to the global cruising market,” specifically the “Turquoise Triangle” — a sea route connecting popular destinations in the area such as Boracay and Puerto Princesa.
“We foresee that by the end of the Duterte administration, we would see the realization of the first dedicated cruise terminal… Our ultimate goal is to be as seamless as possible and to gain competitiveness as a major cruise hub in Asia,” said Ms. Jorda-Apo in a release.
The upgrading of other harbors, piers, and terminals would increase the carrying capacity, making it possible to welcome bigger ships carrying as many as 5,000 passengers, she added.
THE INAUGURAL MANILA CRUISE
Superstar Virgo arrived in Manila on March 19 and will stay until its final voyage on May 23. The route encompasses what the company called “Jewels of the South China Sea”: Manila-Laoag-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong.
BusinessWorld together with a handful of other media were invited to the inaugural voyage and what welcomed all the thousand or so passengers were incredibly long lines the moment they entered Pier 15 of the Manila South Harbor.
It was evident from the get-go that the pier wasn’t equipped to handle crowds such as this, and lines for the baggage drop snaked from the small covered area to the roundabout causing heavy traffic.
It took more than 30 minutes for a bag to be dropped and tagged, and for people to move from baggage to check-in.
The check-in area where passengers get their access cards (which function as a room card and a charge card onboard the cruise ship) and get cleared by immigration officers, was a large air-conditioned tent, but since the crowd was so big, it became unbearably hot and one passenger was reported to have fainted.
Ms. Jorda-Apo said that it was Star Cruises that set up the air-conditioned tent after an ocular inspection revealed that aside from the small — albeit air-conditioned — waiting area, Pier 15 had nothing else to offer.
It took about three hours from baggage drop to boarding.
The ship, which was supposed to leave the port by 6 p.m., left by 6:30 p.m.
It wasn’t a very good start for a cruise, but according to subsequent passengers this reporter talked to, the company apparently made enough adjustments to decrease boarding time to around 30 minutes or so.
The six-day/five-night trip itself was quite uneventful unless one counts the long queues to the complimentary restaurants: the Mediterranean (an all-day dining buffet restaurant), the Genting Palace (a semi-fine dining restaurant which serves Western cuisine), and the Pavillion (a semi-fine dining restaurant serving Chinese cuisine).
Of course there are other dining options onboard if one is willing to pay: Noble House, which serves Chinese cuisine; the fine-dining Palazzo which serves Italian fare; Samurai, which serves Japanese cuisine; the Taverna which is a poolside snack bar; and Taj, which offers Indian cuisine.
On the second night, the media members decided to dine at Samurai because the lines for dinner at the complimentary restaurants were too long, and for about HK$150 we enjoyed a fine Japanese teishoku meal (set meal) which consisted of Wagyu beef cubes, salmon sashimi, and a few pieces of shrimp and vegetable tempura. It was the best dinner we had on the trip, so it was definitely worth it.
It might seem a chore, lining up for food every time, but after a few nights and crowded meal times, it was easy to establish a routine — either take breakfast early at around 7 a.m. or settle for brunch at the Mediterranean.
In fact, the Mediterranean was always the answer if one run out of patience waiting for a table to open at the Genting Palace and Pavillion, and it offered adequate dish options.
Aside from food choices, the 13-storey cruise ship also offers solid entertainment options — some free and some pay-per-view (the adult shows such as Brazilian Bombshells in the Galaxy of the Stars club/bar must be paid for, while the Lido Theatre performances are free).
It should be noted that most singers/musicians are Filipino while the dancers are mostly Caucasians.
For those who are not interested in watching the performances or who would like to enjoy a leisurely cruise, the Library is a good refuge and it also has faster Wi-Fi than most parts of the ship. (Wi-Fi is a paid add-on and a 72-hour connection will set one back HK$255.)
Taking a dip at the pool with its three huge water slides and Jacuzzi is also an option, as is getting a massage or a salon treatment or a bit of retail therapy as the ship has a well-stocked Duty Free center on deck 8.
There’s also a “High Seas Gala Night” where people get to dress in their cocktail finery and dine in style. Do note that reservations in the participating restaurants should ideally be made on the first night of the cruise because seats get taken up fast.
The Gala Night affords passengers upgraded fare and a little performance from the staff — it was fun until you are ushered out of the restaurant because they need to prepare the room for the second batch of diners.
Basically, every creature comfort is on this ship, some for free and some for a sum.
The rooms are, of course, smaller than the usual hotel rooms and it would definitely feel cramped if more than two people share a single room. Balcony rooms, like the one this writer was billeted in, are a bit roomier but would still make two people very close — close enough to be very good friends (if they aren’t already) or hate each other as there’s little wiggle room, especially in the bathroom.
For the most part, the sea was calm though we experienced rough seas on the way to Kaohsiung and then to Hong Kong, therefore it is imperative that one brings enough motion sickness medicine.
The almost 20-year-old ship, while still a beauty, is beginning to show its age — from the worn patches on the carpet to the old bathroom fixtures — but it’s definitely not shabby. Yet.
ON LAND
Once the ship reaches the ports on its route, passengers can opt to explore the destinations on their own or buy an excursion for about HK$300 or so and are able to choose their own itineraries.
Each stopover takes around seven to eight hours.
In Laoag, passengers are taken to the Currimao port via boats (a 20-minute trip) and from there continue on to Laoag and see the Paoay Church (the 300+-year-old Baroque church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and go for a ride on the Paoay dunes.
Or one can continue on for another hour or so to Vigan, Ilocos Sur, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a town known for its Spanish Colonial architecture.
At Kaohsiung, an industrial municipality in south Taiwan — which looks like a cross between the Manila’s Chinatown and an earlier version of Makati City (sans a lot of skyscrapers) — one can see the Love River (a 12-kilometer stretch which got its name from a pair of lovers who jumped to their deaths in the 1940s), and the remnants of the Dutch occupation through former forts such as Fort Provintia (now named Chikhan Tower) which was built in 1653 but was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt in the 19th century.
Hong Kong, of course, needs no introduction as “Asia’s Global City” is familiar to most Filipinos. It is home to a famous shopping district Tsim Sha Tsui which contains the Harbor City mall complex, the first-ever Peninsula Hotel, and the Avenue of the Stars, modelled after the Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, which pays tribute to famous Hong Kong stars.
In all, it was quite an experience — sleeping in a ship decked out to the nines and waking up in another country — and it wasn’t all that costly either as rates start at $758 per person for a twin sharing room (not including the mandatory $100/night gratuity and visa charges if applicable). One can visit three destinations for less than $1,000 and the package comes with complete full-board meals, entertainment, and lodging.
And even though the Virgo is still in Manila (its last voyage is on May 23), Star Cruises, according to Ms. Jorda-Apo, has been so happy with the reception that they are already planning on coming back in December for a five-month home port stint.
So for people who are still on the fence or weren’t able to book their cruise for the first round, the Virgo is coming back soon.
JEJU ISLAND, SOUTH KOREA — Off the coast of the Korean peninsula is an island that was once known as a honeymoon destination for locals, but has since drawn the interest of international tourists for its “warm and cozy” experience.
“People think Jeju is a small island, but in reality, its perimeter is more than 200 kilometers,” Ian Rhee of the Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO) told reporters on a recent familiarization tour. With a population of just over 660,000 people, Jeju Island has become a favorite among tourists for its breathtaking natural beauty.
For Filipinos enamored by Korean pop culture, especially its television dramas, competitive airline fares have made hopping on a plane to see their favorite show’s locations an easy option.
FEWER CROWDS
As tension continues to mount between the People’s Republic of China and South Korea over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense — the anti-ballistic missile system being set up by the United States Army to defend South Korea from threats from North Korea, China’s ally — tourism has taken a hit.
According to Forbes magazine, “Chinese authorities… ordered all of the countries’ online travel agencies to stop selling South Korea-related tours.”
The JTO admitted that the island’s tourism industry has felt the effect — after all, until recently, 85% of it’s foreign tourists came from China — but this has had a surprisingly positive effect for other visitors: other tourists can now enjoy a less crowded Jeju island.
South Korean nationals have already taken advantage of the situation, booking trips to explore its 26 hiking trails.
Since the problems with China, the South Korean government has taken a more aggressive stance in attracting visitors from the South East Asian market, including the Philippines.
“Tourism organizations have been focusing in Southeast Asia… we’ve been getting too many Chinese tourists but the government, now, could pay enough attention to Southeast Asia,” Mr. Rhee said.
JTO said that 8,980 Filipino tourists visited the island in 2016, and Mr. Rhee said they’re hoping to attract more than 10,000 this year with the easing of visa requirements.
Filipinos traveling to Jeju do not need to get a Korean visa (but they do if they plan to travel elsewhere in the country).
Philippine Airlines has started offering chartered flights to Jeju Island via Makati’s Rakso Travel, which offers four day/three night and five day/four night travel packages to the island.
A more encompassing option may soon be available. As Mr. Rhee explained, tourists on a package tour by a designated travel agency can also visit Gimpo, Seoul, and Busan visa-free for five days if they enter through Jeju. But he emphasized that this option “only applies to package tours but there has to be designated travel agencies.”
The problem is there are no designated Philippine travel agencies yet.
“The Philippines has not yet designated those travel agencies. I don’t know how long it takes. The Korean government has to coordinate with the Philippine government to designate those travel agencies,” said Mr. Rhee.
BusinessWorld reached out to Tourism Undersecretary Katherine S. de Castro for an update on this, had no reply by press time.
TREES, TEA, AND SEA
A recent Korean romantic comedy titled Maendorong Ttottot, which translates to Warm and Cozy, chose to use Jeju Island as its location since the island displayed these precise characteristics.
Jeju is literally warmer than the mainland, and also receives more rain, conditions that proved conducive to the “growth of sensitive and fastidious trees,” according to a JTO brief on the O’sulloc Tea Museum.
The O’sulloc Tea Museum, which opened in 1970, is found in Andeok-myeon, Seogwi-po, Jeju and has a scenic view of fields of green tea plants.
Still, there is not that much farmland on the island, so fresh seafood takes centerstage on the dining tables of Jeju’s homes and restaurants.
“Haenyo or female sea divers is one of the significant cultures in Jeju island,” said Mr. Rhee, adding: “Last year, in December, UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) designated haenyo as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.”
It is thanks to these haenyos — who hold demonstrations of their skills at the seaside of Seongsan Ilchubong in the afternoons — that one can enjoy a plate of grilled abalone on the island.
Jeju-do City lights up at night, and visitors can stroll through the streets listening to streets performers strumming their tunes and trying out the street food like odeng (fish cake) while deciding which of the city’s many restaurants and cafés to have diner at.
One must-have meal is samgyupsal — Jeju black pig barbecue — with thick slices of pork cooked on table-side barbecue grills. You can ask the friendly servers to grill them for you, or have the youngest person at the table grill the pork as the Koreans do. Wrap the cooked meat in fresh lettuce leaves with a bit of kimchi, and accompany it with a Soju Bomb — a shot of soju mixed into a short glass of beer — which is a perfect way to end a night of walking around Jeju.
FLOWER POWER
Those dreaming of seeing sakura – Japan’s famous cherry blossoms — up close need not go to Japan as Jeju island also boasts of these trees which bloom in early March. The main streets of the island are lined with them, and the public parks are filled with the pinkish white flowering trees. Best to catch them as the sun starts to set, casting a mesmerizing, magical yellow light on the scene.
Jeju island also celebrates a Canola Flower festival with bright yellow canola flowers and sakura trees lining a long stretch of road. Traffic may be a problem, but there are designated parking areas at the start of the canola stands, and the walking is a pleasure surrounded by flowers dancing to the spring breeze.
Also worth visiting is the Jusangjeolli Cliff in Daepo. The spot is popular for its hexagonal rock pillars, formed when lava erupted from the Halla-san mountain. The blue sea and the oddly shaped dark pillars make for a calming view.
For those prepared to go on a quick hike, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak — the result of an ancient volcanic eruption — is the perfect spot. Designated as natural monument No. 420 in 2000, according to the JTO, it is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, World Natural Heritage and Global Geopark. A 30- to 45-minute walk along the trail will lead you to an observation deck with a breathtaking view of Halla-san and hills around Jeju.
JEJU FOR K-POP FANS
The café Monsant d’Aewol is owned by Kwon Ji Yong, an international rapper better known as G-Dragon, the leader of Korea’s “national boy band,” Big Bang. The café’s facade is made of mirrors that reflect the sunset, while the interiors reflect the international pop star’s aesthetic as seen in his instagram feed.
Fans of G-Dragon flock to the café hoping to get a glimpse of one of Korea’s most famous pop stars, as he sometimes visits. According to our tour guide, Kim Tae Hyung, the price of real estate in the area increased after G-Dragon built the café.
Beside Monsant is Bonmal, a café and guesthouse where Warm and Cozy shot most of its scenes.
If they can’t see their idols in the flesh, it is now possible for K-pop fans to have holographic dates with them, dance and sing to their latest hits, and watch their concerts at the Play KPop Museum.
Another place that fans of Korean pop culture can visit is the Teddy Bear Museum where one of the earlier K-drama hits Goong (Princess Hours) was shot. Take a tour around the museum and gave your photo taken with teddy bear versions of Steve Jobs, Marilyn Monroe, and Charlie Chaplin.
With the recent resurgence of popularity of Korean dramas in the Philippines, fans can relive their favorite scenes from the following series that took their One True Pairing (OTP) to Jeju Island: My Name is Kim Sam Soon, Boys over Flowers, Secret Garden, and Playful Kiss.
BusinessWorld went to Jeju Island with other members of the Philippine press upon the invitation of the Korean Tourism Organization.
Incidental information
THERE is a place close to Metro Manila where one can enjoy nature at its finest.
The Haranah Eco Park, a privately owned 16.2-hectare property in Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal, is just two hours away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It officially opens its doors to the public this month.
Haranah Tours Corp. President Jaime Tan said the eco park was purposely built as a haven for his family, but when clients from his travel agency learned about it, they asked if they could visit. He then thought that it was a good idea to rent it out to big groups instead. The eco park had its soft opening in 2014 and initially accepted groups of not less than 200 people for team buildings and seminars.
Though it has been operating for about two years now, it took a while before they finally opened it fully to the public. Now, Haranah Eco Park accepts even a reservation for just one person.
“I wanted to promote Haranah as a venue for activities, family bonding, retreat, relaxation, and Tanay as a peaceful and secure place to visit,” he told BusinessWorld during a media familiarization tour organized by the Tourism Promotions Board on March 17 and 18.
Haranah Eco Park is a convenient place to stay at over a weekend since it is very near Manila.
“If you are going to compare the eco parks in Manila and Haranah, there is a huge difference. It’s mostly [about] nature here and you can even go for a trek without seeing a lot of buildings inside the vicinity,” he said.
Though it has been operating for about two years now, it took a while before they finally opened it fully to the public. Now, Haranah Eco Park accepts even a reservation for just one person.
“I wanted to promote Haranah as a venue for activities, family bonding, retreat, relaxation, and Tanay as a peaceful and secure place to visit,” he told BusinessWorld during a media familiarization tour organized by the Tourism Promotions Board on March 17 and 18.
Haranah Eco Park is a convenient place to stay at over a weekend since it is very near Manila.
“If you are going to compare the eco parks in Manila and Haranah, there is a huge difference. It’s mostly [about] nature here and you can even go for a trek without seeing a lot of buildings inside the vicinity,” he said.
Before turning in, a suggested night cap for guests would be roasting s’mores over the bonfire while stargazing.
There is poor cellular reception in the area, but that is okay as there are various ways to busy one’s self throughout the day. Recommended activities include tree and herb planting, rock balancing, bird watching, and team building (supervised by accredited facilitators).
“If you really want to disconnect and take your mind off, this is the place you have to be,” said Mr. Tan.
Day tours are held every Saturday. Priced at P1,000 per person, this includes a set lunch with fresh coconut juice. Team building and group package rates are given upon inquiry. Guests, especially those with food restrictions, are encouraged to book their reservations at least a day before so the necessary changes in the menu can be made.
“They will surely love this place — it is very clean and nature-oriented because we care about sustainability. City people will definitely love it because it’s very accessible,” Mr. Tan said.
Haranah Eco Park is located at Sitio Mayagay 2, Barangay Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal. It is near the old PAGASA Radar Station, about 300 meters away from Marcos Highway and around two kilometers from Sierra Madre Hotel. For inquiries and reservations, call (02) 376-6645, (02) 411-6567, or e-mail postmaster@haranahecopark.com.ph. For updates, visit www.haranahecopark.com.ph or www.facebook.com/HaranahEcoPark.
PATTAYA, THAILAND — In a daring nautical themed outfit, sex worker May confidently predicts the survival of Thai sleaze town Pattaya despite a junta attempt to tame the kingdom’s “Sin City.”
She is bullish because she, like tens of thousands of others in the industry, have no plans to give up their jobs. And there are no signs the hordes of foreign sex tourists are abating.
Two hours east of Bangkok, Pattaya’s bawdy reputation hails from the Vietnam War era when American GIs partied in their downtime.
Today it spins money off its no-holds-barred reputation and its most successful sex workers earn anywhere between 70-150,000 baht ($2-4,400) a month, as much as ten times the national average wage.
“I make good money here, for me and my family,” May told AFP as she touted for clients near Walking Street — a mile-long drag festooned with bars and clubs pouring out ear-crushing EDM music.
But concerns about the impact on Thailand’s reputation have spurred authorities to act, while frequent reports of underage sex workers, drug abuse and mafia operations further muddy Pattaya’s name.
May, who is transgender, said the strip has felt more subdued in recent weeks as police and soldiers conduct frequent patrols as part of a clean-up ordered by the censorious ruling junta.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Sulasak Kalokwilas is one of those tasked with what many might deem the ultimate Sisyphean task: weaning Pattaya off sex.
“We are suppressing obscene and dirty shows. We’re trying to make those bars disappear,” he explained.
As he spoke, lines of women stood behind him in revealing outfits enticing punters into bars with names like Taboo and G-Spot as well as Fahrenheit — a nightspot boasting “The Hottest Girls in Pattaya.”
“The lady boys and women working there, they are not involved in the sex trade,” said Pattaya’s police chief Colonel Apichai Kroppeth, echoing the kind of Thai police rhetoric commonly divorced from reality.
“They work as waitresses, sit and chat with customers, some dance in shows,” he said.
BAR FINES, SHORT-TIMES
For many residents of the city the latest moral outrage fits a familiar pattern: negative overseas headlines prompt authorities to launch high-visibility — yet limited — crackdowns on an industry that pays the bills for everyone.
“You’re expecting the poachers to be the gamekeepers?” said one westerner who has made Pattaya his home, when asked if the latest clean-up will work.
The sex trade is a cash cow for the bar owners, girls, massage parlors, hotels, taxis, mafia and, many have long alleged, the cops charged with policing.
Thais call it “pon prayote,” says British journalist Andrew Drummond who reported on crime in Thailand for two decades.
“It means everyone benefits… it brings in massive amounts of money and simply couldn’t happen without police connivance.”
Apichai insisted there was “no bribery for sure” in his force.
Prostitution is illegal in conservative Thailand. Yet it remains ubiquitous for local and foreign customers alike.
Businesses use a well worn loophole to avoid prosecution, hiring sex workers inside the bars merely to entertain and talk to patrons.
A small “bar fine,” usually around 500 baht ($14), secures private “short time” away from the bar where any deal struck for sex is purely between the punter and prostitute.
While authorities have vowed to shutter the trade, there is little discussion on what happens to the sex workers — who often support large families with their earnings.
There are no exact numbers, but a 2014 UNAIDS report suggested some 140,000 females are employed by sex work across Thailand. Tens of thousands are thought to operate in Pattaya alone.
PAR FOR THE COURSE
Tourism officials are optimistic for change, citing the increasing number of families coming to the town’s resorts and its popularity for sports, such as jet-skiing and golf.
“In terms of facilities I think we are already there,” said Suladda Sarutilavan, Pattaya’s director of tourism.
Last year some 12 million tourists — 70% foreigners — visited a city which now boasts over 100,000 rooms across 2,000 hotels, from cheap backpackers to swanky golf courses and family apartments.
While not everyone who comes is a sex tourist, she admits the city’s seedy image and crime headlines are a problem.
“It makes us feel a little bit uncomfortable,” she said.
Two recent killings have renewed the spotlight on the city’s reputation as a bolthole for foreign criminals.
In January, British businessman Tony Kenway was gunned down as he left the gym, a hit police linked to “boiler room” scams.
In 2015 an Australian former Hells Angel was kidnapped in broad daylight and murdered.
Foreigners who have made Pattaya home lament the killings, but say they fail to tell the wider picture of a largely safe, affordable city.
“Every night I went out in Coventry there was always one or two fights. I feel completely safe here,” said Briton Bryan Flowers, who moved to Pattaya a decade ago and now owns a dozen bars.
Others argue fancy hotels, malls and golf courses can flourish in step with the town’s party reputation.
“It’s why a lot of people come here,” Simon Peatfield, another Brit who owns restaurants and sports bars, said.
“There’s only so much golf you can play.” — AFP
CLOSE your eyes and think about the most relaxing place in the world. Is it a private pool overlooking a volcano in Costa Rica? An outdoor massage table in Mexico? The top deck of a yacht in the South Pacific?
All of those (very good) answers might just be out of date.
In 2017, it’s all about hammock floors, or small trapeze nets built into the bottom of your patio, rather than slung from trees. The design takes a cue from the catamaran, whose seating almost always comes in the form of an aerodynamic net that acts like a stretchy sundeck on the back of the boat.
The advantages over traditional hammocks are plentiful. First, there’s no limit on how large you can make one, since each is custom-built. (Which makes cuddling up a lot more convenient.) Then there’s the fact that you can build a hammock floor on almost any overhang, regardless of whether there are trees or walls to serve as structural support. (Think: the private pool deck of an overwater bungalow, or a dizzying perch high up in a treehouse.) They’re made of bouncy, tightly woven netting, making them feel almost like trampolines. (Which means you won’t be laying on knotty ropes.) And maybe the icing on the cake: You don’t have to awkwardly climb in. (Tipping over into a net is easier and more fun.)
Here’s where to find them, from Bora Bora to the Dominican Republic.
SONEVA JANI, MALDIVES
Hotelier Sonu Shivdasani calls the hammock floors in his properties’ overwater bungalows “dream zones,” and with good reason: There’s nothing quite like dozing off as you’re dangled gently over lapping waves. But there’s also something to be said about the ones he built into the outdoor movie theater and bar at Soneva Jani, where the ledges of the hammocks double as cocktail tables. “It acts as a very informal gathering point,” he said, “but can also make for a romantic cocktail experience.” Sundowners have never been so sweet. From $1,870 per night.
CONRAD BORA BORA NUI, BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
It’s the first five-star resort to open in Bora Bora in a decade, but the Conrad Bora Bora Nui was worth waiting for. It debuted on Monday with 86 overwater bungalows — each outfitted with customizable pillow menus, massive soaking tubs, and yes, hammock floors on the private decks. “Any resort worldwide provides sun beds,” said Daniele Venuti, regional director of sales and marketing. “Within a few years, most of the beach resorts will probably feature overwater hammocks, too, and we’ll be thinking about something newer.” From $880 per night.
FOUR SEASONS GOLDEN TRIANGLE, CHIANG RAI, THAILAND
The new Explorer’s Lodge at this five-star elephant camp is possibly one of the most beautiful places to stay in all Thailand: The two-bedroom suite spreads across two pavilions, each surrounded by jungle thickets and flanking a full-sized private pool. The most novel features are the built-in hammock floors that line an entire side of the compound, acting like a sunken deck. Dive in early in the morning and watch the sun rise while you listen for elephants rumbling in the distance. From $5,008 per night, sleeps four.
ST. REGIS LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA
When it opened nearly a year ago, the St. Regis Langkawi introduced Andaman Sea-facing hammock floors off the back deck of its pan-Asian Kayu Puti restaurant; they’ve proved so popular they were built into every one of the 77 overwater villas at the just-opened St. Regis Maldives.
“The closeness to nature that these floors provide is really special,” said Lisa Holladay, global brand leader of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, who noted that they’re also gold mines on social media. “We’ve been excited to see the hammocks appear as the ultimate Instagram picture!” Rooms in Langkawi from $650 per night.
GANSEVOORT TURKS AND CAICOS
Most properties on this paradise island put the focus on the pearl-white sand beaches and turquoise waters — and so does Gansevoort, which has been a mainstay since opening in 2009. But its new villas, which will go online for rentals later this year, sit on the edge of a bluff, with hammock floors built into overwater terraces that stretch down into untouched waters. From $8,000 per night.
GILI LAKANFUSHI, MALDIVES
This hotel claims to have the largest overwater villa in the world — the “Private Reserve” structure clocks in at a whopping 18,300 square feet. Naturally, it has every bell and whistle in the book, hammock floor included. Also on the amenity list: a private cinema, a spa, and a two-storey waterslide that plunges directly into a fully private lagoon. From $14,700 per night, sleeps eight. — Bloomberg
MUSEO KORDILYERA, which opened on Jan. 31, is an addition to the must-visit sites in Baguio City.
Inside, the Museo Kordilyera–UPB Ethnographic Museum is a place where the visitor gets an understanding of a facet of Filipino culture which is still evolving, and comes to a deeper realization that there’s more to learn about our past in order to move forward. The museum’s goal is to help make people understand and respect the diverse culture and identity of the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera and Northern Luzon.
Of the museum’s three floors, only the reception level is above the ground. According to the UP Baguio Web site, the museum houses exhibition spaces for both its permanent collection and temporary exhibits, a visitor’s room, an audio-visual room, and a museum shop and café.
THE ETHOS that guides those who are permanently fit — other than staying permanently fit — is that working out is a luxury, not a chore. High-end hotels have started applying that philosophy in a literal way, with unique training regimens that allow you to train with shamans on the Adriatic Sea or prepare like an extra in 300 at a minimalist Miami Beach lodge. It seems the more exotic the location and the stranger the amenity, the bigger the adrenaline charge. Here are five spots where fitness junkies can take a break from vacation.
(1) EDEN ROCK, ST. BARTH
Let’s be real. Eden Rock is not a tough sell. The St. Barth staple has hosted the likes of Mick Jagger, Tom Hanks, Lorne Michaels, and Beyoncé, and there’s a Jean-Georges restaurant looking out over the water. But the resort isn’t about only the scene: This year it has introduced a new electro stimulation program — yes, the one where trainers send low-pulse electric shocks straight to the muscle. How does it work? Under the supervision of a coach, guests are wired up and instructed to perform dynamic movements to resist the muscle contractions while getting (mildly) zapped in the right places. If it sounds intense, well, so is Eden Rock. At least now you can stand out in the scene.
(2) 1 HOTEL SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI
If it were any other Miami Beach hotel, maybe not. But the 1 Hotel South Beach is so aggressively sustainable — reclaimed driftwood, recycled coral, walls made out of plant biomatter — it’s the perfect place to launch the first-ever Spartan Gym, born of the famed Spartan Races. The beachfront property’s 14,000-square-foot space is an adult-sized jungle gym of ceiling ropes, cargo nets, monkey bars, and wall climbs. For more intensive private sessions, guests can work directly with certified Spartan trainers. At its core, the “primal” workout method focuses equally on inner and outer strength. Test both afterward, and head to the hotel restaurant run by Tom Colicchio.
(3) BORGO EGNAZIA, ITALY
The Puglia-based Borgo Egnazia is a grand destination of castles and authentic Italian cuisine. Currently, it is also where the ortho-bionomist Stefano Battaglia is kicking off three-, five-, and seven-day “shaman” sessions geared toward recovery from emotional and physical stress. The program combines elements of psychology, psychotherapy, and massage therapy taught by a team with expertise that spans aromatherapy, graphology, naturopathy, and music. For more of a calorie-burning session, Battaglia teaches a practice known as Vipassana, also called “mindful running,” in which guests run intensely while keeping in tune with their increased heartbeat. If that’s not enough, or if the Borgo’s massive, crystal blue pools leave you wanting something more intense than a brisk swim, the Puglian Dance, a nightly tradition, will help take off that extra helping of orecchiette ai broccoletti.
(4) NEKUPE, NICARAGUA
Nekupe, a new eight-room property in the mountainous Nicaraguan countryside, has secretly built one of the best runs in Central America. The resort, which means “heaven” in the local indigenous language, is set on a 1,300-acre nature reserve through which guests can ride mountain bikes or just meditate around the dormant Mombacho volcano. But the real fitness draw is the two-mile-long running track, which winds around exotic plants, mango trees, monkeys, a butterfly sanctuary, and 78 species of birds. It’s so big, Nekupe provides personal rangers to go along on the run to keep you from getting lost in all the lushness.
(5) TERRANEA, RANCHO PALOS VERDES
A bright, vibrant oasis, Terranea feels like Tuscany — if Tuscany were 35 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. With a 50,000-square-foot wing devoted to fitness overlooking the Pacific Ocean, working out is already a huge part of Terranea’s culture. But since everyone at Terranea is already fit, the resort has taken it a step further with a post-workout “Sound Sleep” program at the spa, a growing trend in wellness-focused hotels. The treatment integrates the senses of touch, smell, and sound with a specialized light-touch massage to promote deep relaxation and rest. Keep your eyes out for similar programs around the world; chances are one will soon be near you. — Bloomberg
