I was casually browsing Facebook for some streaming updates from different pages I am subscribed when I stumble upon this very familiar Bicolano terminology – Bicol Air Express. No,  I am not talking about the favorite chili-rich dish in Bicol, it is a local airline which was launched in December.

BICOL AIR EXPRESS now can fly you from Legazpi to Virac in Cataduanes and in Masbate. South West Air Corporation makes a breakthrough in the airline industry as they finally started serving tourist who want to visit the island provinces of Bicol Region.

Launching in Virac was held in December 7, in Legazpi City on December 12 and in Masbate on December 15, 2011. The three launches highlighted SWA guarantee of safe and on-time flights for all its passengers. It also promotes the boutique airline’s promise of providing a unique flying experience punctuated with a courteous in-flight crew.

To kick things off, a tropical event was held at Twin Rock Resort in Virac, Catanduanes to celebrate the island’s feast. The resort a prime destination that BAE will promote as the company aids in enhancing the image of Catanduanes as one of the main Tropical Island destinations in the Philippines. Countless guests, including Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua, turned up in their beach outfits and were treated to an array of local delicacies with non-stop entertainment throughout the evening.

The Legazpi launch, on the other hand, was a different form revelry as guests showed up in their grand cocktail dresses and suits for the party held at South Road Bar in Pepperland Hotel. Highlight of the night was the presentation of the Aircraft, along with footage of the actual successful landing at the airport. The event was well attended as no less than Albay Congressman Al Francis Bichara and Department of Tourism head Nina Revilla with former Department of Tourism Director Nonie Calleja were present. To show his support to the airline, Cong. Bichara encouraged his constituents and all Bicolanos to support the Boutique Airline.

Capping the grand launch was a simple gathering held in Masbate. Despite the BMC conditions not allowing the plane to arrive in the city, the team from BAE managed to successfully push through with the event. A short program was held, which included a ceremonial ribbon cutting led by executives from BAE.

I had an inside info that they are also covering Naga City in March.

Images are all courtesy of Bicol Air Express, via Facebook.

Back to back post at Digitalspidey.com

Enchanted Kingdom, the country’s first and only world-class theme park is celebrating its 16^th year of bringing MAGIC to families and friends. Happy 16^th Birthday EK!

Check out this month’s activities for EK’s 16^th Anniversary celebration.

Sweet 16 Birthday Celebrants Promo (Wednesdays to Fridays from October 1 to 31)
A birthday treat for you! Free RDP tickets await park guests who turn 16 in October, plus 20% off on tickets purchased by the celebrant’s companions, maximum of 10 persons.
Student Sembreak Anibersaya Promo (October 12 to November 13)
An anniversary treat for students of ALL levels! Every purchase of one EK Day Pass for Php350.00 shall entitle you to one hotdog on a stick and 12 oz. Pepsi drink.
Enchanting Sweet 16 Merchandise Promo (October 1 to 22)
Get the chance to win EK merchandise treats! Simply claim your raffle coupon at the Eldar’s Tent and drop in the designated drop box. The Enchanting Sweet 16 raffle draw will be held on October 22 during the Asian Sky Wizardry Fireworks Competition.
16th Anniversary Sale (October 1 to 31)
Eldar the Wiz treats one and all to a 16% discount on selected premium EK merchandise, including Eldar’s Hat and Crystal USB.
Take Me Home Eldar Doll (October 1 to 31)
Park guests who avail of a Regular Day Pass will be entitled to a 25% discount on any Eldar toy! Simply present your ticket or wrist tag and bring the magic home with your very own cuddly Eldar.

Enjoy PEPSI for 16! (October 1 to 31)
A special anniversary treat from Pepsi! Park guests may purchase food items from any EK cart or kiosk, and Amazon Grill and Launch Time restaurants. Upon purchase, guests may avail of the P16.00 discount on the 16oz. size Pepsi.

PARK SCHEDULE:
Starting October 1, 2011 to December 16, 2011, EK is CLOSED from Monday and Tuesday.
Weekdays: Wednesday to Friday
Time: 12:00 NN to 7:00 PM

Weekend: Saturday & Sunday
Time: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

SM TICKETS Partnership
With its recent partnership with SM TICKETS, you can now purchase your Enchanted Kindgom Tickets in all SM TICKETS outlets located at all SM Cinema branches nationwide.

Call SM Customer Care at 470.2222 for inquiries and reservations.
TICKET PRICES

REGULAR DAY PASS-WEEKEND
Php 500
REGULAR DAY PASS-WEEKDAY
Php 400
SENIOR REGULAR DAY PASS-WEEKEND
Php 358
JUNIOR DAY PASS-WEEKEND
Php 320
SENIOR REGULAR DAY PASS-WEEKDAY
Php 286
JUNIOR DAY PASS-WEEKDAY
Php 250
CAROUSEL SPECIAL
Php 150
SENIOR CAROUSEL SPECIAL
Php 108

You can still purchase your tickets at EK Makati Sales Office, Monday to Fridays, 8:30am to 5:00pm at G/F The Biltmore Condo, 102 Aguirre Street Legaspi Village, Makati City (at the back of AIM Building, near Greenbelt 1)

Useful Links:

Enchanted Kingdom’s website

EK’s Facebook page

Follow EK on Twitter

SM Tickets website

SM TIckets Facebook Page

The Zoom Treetop Adventure at Circulo Verde, Bagumbayan, Quezon City is the latest and newest zipline opened in Metro Manila. We tried it out this afternoon and checked the place.

The place opened just this June 11, 2010 and we were one of the first ones to try it out.

The zipline is around 200 meters and costs Php400 per trip. The place opens at 2PM until 10PM. They currently have two lines — the higher one is called Superman and the lower line is called Silver Surfer, all based on the position when you ride the cable lines.

It’s the time of the year folks. The stage is set for this year’s World Pyro Olympics.

Prepare for a more explosive, more spectacular experience! Witness the country’s first pyromusical competition at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The world’s best teams will showcase their artistry and technical skill by shooting dazzling fireworks synchronized with musical scores. The competition’s new venue, a departure from the past years’ water-based firing, will allow for more creativity and versatility in the use of ground level and special effects.

World Pyro Olympics

World Pyro Olympics Schedule of Shows by Country:

November 21 – Germany, China
November 28 – Japan, Australia
December 5 – Canada, Italy
December 12 -South Korea, USA
December 19 – Fellowship of Fire, Philippines

Ticket Prices:

Regular Pass – Php200, Php500, Php1500 (VIP)
Season Pass (All Shows) – Php800, Php2000, Php6000 (VIP)

All VIP Tickets are reserved seats and come with Food Package from Via Mare.

Reservations – Please call 568-6908 or 384-0239

The town of Lazi is home to two major tourist spot in Siquijor – the church and convent of Lazi.

Lazi church

Both structures are over a century old and was listed as a National Historical Shrine in Siquijor. As of today, the church is still used by the locals while the convent now serves as a meeting place and mini-museum of the artifacts of the church of Lazi.

Continue reading about Lazi Church and convent here

]]> http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/travel-news/1046/the-town-of-lazi/feed 5 http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/travel-news/1025/calendar-of-holidays-for-year-2010 http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/travel-news/1025/calendar-of-holidays-for-year-2010#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:53:43 +0000 admin http://www.pinoytravelblog.com/?p=1025

2010 is fast approaching and travelers would always want to plan ahead for their vacation for next year. Here is a list of the official non-working holidays for year 2010.

Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day – January 1, 2010
Maunday Thursday – April 1, 2010
Good Friday – April 2, 2010
Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9, 2010 (Friday)
Labor Day – May 1, 2010
Independence Day – June 14 (Monday nearest June 12)
National Heroes Day – August 30, 2009 (last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day – November 29, 2010 (Monday nearest November 30)
Christmas Day – December 25, 2010 (Saturday)
Rizal Day – December 27 (Monday nearest December 30)

Special Non-Working Days
Ninoy Aquino Day – August 23, 2010 (Monday nearest August 21)
All Saints Day – November 1, 2010 (Monday)
Additional Special (Non-Working) Day – December 24, 2010 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year – December 31, 2010

Special Holidays (for all Schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 22, 2010 (Monday nearest February 25)

Eid’l Fitr is declared by the President depending on the Islamic Calendar (Hijra).

These dates will be very busy for trips so book your flights early and make reservations in advance especially for hot spots like Boracay or the Pearl Farm in Davao.

Cebu Pacific launches a new website name WanderingJuan.com, aimed at promoting tourism in the Philippines. To be a Wandering Juan, just take a photo of your slippers (tsinelas) whenever you travel to some fo the hot spots and tourist destinations in the country and share it on the site.

Whether visiting the world’s popular landmarks or taking in the best local sights, this new breed of Pinoy traveler never fails to attract new friends and good times. Wearing his or her most comfortable footwear-often the ubiquitous tsinelas representative of home-and armed with his or her trusty camera, The Wandering Juan captures these memorable times in equally interesting photographs. Why? At the core of it all is a simple desire of the heart to show loved ones that yes, this Juan has flown…and how! What follows is the secret yet inspiring message: “And so can you”.

Photo contributors will get the chance to win free trips on Cebu Pacific to popular destinations in the Philippines and South East Asia.

SEAIR invites everyone to fly to Boracay from June 15, 2009 to October 15, 2009 with fares for as low as P350 one-way all-in. This can be purchased from June 1, 2009 to October 15, 2009.

The Boracay experience is enhanced with SEAIR offering special service advantages to its passengers to Boracay. SEAIR passengers enjoy complimentary transfers from Caticlan airport to Boracay and vice versa, as well as shortest queues and check-in procedures at the airport, fastest baggage claim, and privileges for their boarding pass in partner establishments in Boracay and Manila.

Fly SEAIR and rediscover the joy of flight – speed, convenience, personalized Service! Go to www.FlySeair. com for the best deals or call (+632) 8490100 for more information.

An ordinance by the provincial government of Bohol aims to restrict the public viewing of captive tarsiers in the island. The restriction has recently been made to protect the population and natural habitat of tarsiers in Bohol.

The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is the only body that is sanctioned to do public viewing of the tarsiers in Bohol. The Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary, run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc., is the only sanctuary with the area, facility, and expertise to handle the conservation and preservation of the Philippine Tarsier and thus was given the exemption.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative Order No. 38 included the Philippine Tarsier among the national protected wildlife species. The Philippine Tarsier is native to the island of Bohol.

Issues with existing owners of tarsiers and breeders who has raised tarsiers in captivity remains a debate.

Asian Spirit has recently re-branded itself as Zest Air. This move was made after a recent acquisition of major stock on the old Asia Spirit Airlines. Why Zest Air? Read on to learn about them.

According to the Zest Air website:

In 2008, a series of corporate activities gave birth to Zest Air. Firstly, on March 26, AMY Holdings Corporation (AHC) acquired 99.6 percent of Asian Spirit Inc., Seeing the opportunity for growth, the new owners felt that the only way to enhance its profitability was by infusing new capital, re-fleeting, altering management style and innovating marketing strategies. Seven months later Zest Airways orange and green colors flew the Philippine skies, making way for a bigger and better airline. With acquisition of seven new aircraft, Zest Air successfully flies to 13 Philippine destinations.

Zest Air is under new management now. The president and CEO of Zest Air is Mr. Alfredo M. Yao — more popularly known as Juice King of the Philippines for being also the Chairman of Zest-O Corporation. Now you know where the airline gets its new name.