Medical tourism

MEDICAL Tourism is a term coined by travel agencies and media entities to describe the phenomenon of travelling to seek medical services to other countries. The Philippines has been on top of the list in medical tourism destination with its unique Filipino brand of hospitality and caring.

It is home to some of the best medical practitioners, hospitals and specialty clinics, offering world-class expertise, and state- of-the-art facilities.

So if you’re planning to have medical health care and services, be sure to head to the Philippines. You will be attended by brilliant health care professionals in several state-of-the-art hospitals, and while undergoing recoverafter your medical treatment you can spend time in Boracay, one of the world’s best beaches where you can relax and enjoy life away from the noisy, sick environment of the metropolis.

It’s really more fun in Boracay!

Boracay had been chosen by both local and foreign tourists as their yearly destination, a paradise for certified sun-worshippers all over the world. Boracay has all the elements of a tropical heaven - crystal blue waters, powder white sand, liberal doses of tropical palms and flowering plants, and a healthy and diverse marine life. It is located on the northwestern tip of Panay in Aklan, a province on the Visayas island also known for its colorful Ati-Atihan festival in the month of February Comprising of three communities --Yapak in the north, Manoc- manoc in the south and Balabag in between. Hilly elevations of up to 100 meters above sea level characterize Yapak and Manoc-manoc. Intertwining trails link the small villages and lead to lush tropical jungles.

The food at Boracay is as diverse as the nationalities of its visitors. French, Chinese, Australian, Belgian, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Thai--are all fused into the native cuisine. Truly, Boracay, has become the premiere destination of beach lovers around the globe.

The beach beckons for some serious swimming, or just wading by the shore. For more active vacationers, windsurfing and para-sailing gears are readily available. Go sailing with the help of locals acutely attuned to the rhythms of the sea.

There are over a dozen beaches dotting the islands: White Beach, Diniwid, Balinghai Beach, Manoc-manoc Beach, and Cagban Beach among others. Work on your tan, read a book, relax and have a massage. White Beach, probably the most famous stretch in the country, features bright, fine sand and clear, shallow waters.

You can spend you nightlife at any of Boracay’s bars and discos. Beer in hand, you can dance on the sand with brilliant fireflies. If this seems too rowdy for your taste, take a stroll on the moonlit beach. You can explore the bat caves of Yapak, with an experienced guide and take photos of these night creatures or you can visit Kar-Tir Seashell Museum located at the village of Ilig-iligan for its interesting collection of seashells, woodcarvings, pottery, hand-woven articles, and traditional costumes from all over the Philippines.

It’s really, really more fun in Boracay.

WHY IT’S MORE FUN IN BORACAY? Boracay still top beach destination in Asia--TripAdvi

AT ONLY 4.5 miles long, Boracay is small enough to navigate by rented bicycle or motorbike. But don’t let its small size fool you-- you’ll have several excellent beaches to choose from.

Yapak Beach is known for beautiful white shells; White Beach has picture-perfect sunsets; and Balinghai Beach is a secluded spot, perfect for honeymooners. As long as you visit during dry season, you’ll agree this is one of the best beach destinations in the world.

In the list are (from 2nd to 10) Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand; Ko Lanta, Thailand; Koh Phangan, Thailand; Koh Tao, Thailand; Kata Beach, Thailand; Candolim, India; Chaweng, Thailand; Nusa Dua, Indonesia; and Bophut, Thailand.

Global CSR Summit in Boracay April 19-20

Manila, Philippines – FROM world-class tourist paradise to global corporate maven ­ this seems to be the trajectory of Aklan’s beautiful Boracay Island this 2012.

No less than Singapore’s leader in the conference industry, The Pinnacle Group, has chosen Boracay as the venue for their 4th Global CSR Summit and Awards, considered as the most prestigious recognition awards program for Corporate Social Responsibility in the Asian region.

To be held from April 19-20, the summit theme this year is “Beyond Sustainability ­ Full Steam Ahead,“ a policy direction that challenges corporations to push the boundaries of sustainability and embrace innovative ideas and ways with reference to businesses, societies and the environment.

“As Asia begins to lead the world as the main economic engine, issues that have become important include corporate ethics among executives, innovative and sustainable growth, integration and fair distribution of wealth among societies, and accelerating the rate of innovation in environmental protection amidst frequent occurrence of environmental disasters,“ said Melvin Chan, senior director of The Pinnacle Group International.

The Global CSR Awards, on the other hand, recognizes and honors companies for outstanding, innovative and world-class products, services, programs and projects implemented, as part of their broad corporate and CSR strategy.

These projects should demonstrate the company’s leadership, sincerity and on-going commitment in incorporating ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, and respect for individuals, communities and the environment in the way they do business, organizers said.

The 2-day event will be held at the Shangril-La Resort and will include as highlights: presentations from industry leaders, an awards luncheon ceremony, a practical workshop, and an Eco Tour around the Island of Boracay.

The Award categories for this year are: Best Environmental Excellence Award; Best Community Program Award; Best Workplace Practices; CSR Leadership Award; and the Product Excellence Award.

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. is slated to be the guest of honor and Award presenter for The Global CSR Awards.

Around 200-300 delegates are expected to participate in the world CSR Summit and Awards. This early, the event is being warmly welcomed by Aklan Governor Lito Marquez, ViceGovernor Bellie Calizo Quimpo, Malay Mayor John P. Yap, The Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI), and former Rep. Allen Salas Quimpo, an active advocate of Corporate Social Responsibility.

All is set for EARTH HOUR on March 31, 8.30 pm

Earth Hour 2012 is set for 8:30 pm on Saturday, March 31 wherever you are on planet Earth.

On EARTH HOUR, the global 60-minute switch-off of lights from different place of the earth. The event will extend to the International Space Station, where Earth Hour Astronaut-Ambassador Andre Kuipers shall stand vigil over our imperiled planet as the lights switch off on 31 March, sharing photos and live commentary.

From Angola to Zimbabwe, organizing teams from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and its growingroster of allies are preparing for what is hoped to be the largest environmental celebration in human history.

Earth Hour founder and Executive Director Andy Ridley says everyone from citizens to businesses, school children to world leaders, need to believe they can make a difference. “The state of our planet affects each and every one of us,” says Ridley. “Last year Earth Hour reached 1.8 billion people across the planet. This year through digital media we are offering a greater opportunity to connect people with the desire to take much needed action for the environment.”

SIMULTANEOUS KICK OFF AT MAKATI, CEBU and DAVAO.

WWF-led switch-off ceremonies are slated for the cities of Makati, Cebu and Davao- though other cities and towns are expected to hold well-organized events to observe the switch-off.

Makati City’s Ayala Triangle Gardens shall be the central hub forLuzon. At 6:30 PM on 31 March, glow-in-the-dark dance troupe Bailes de Luces and the Caracol dancers shall form the vanguard of an Earth-themed parade which starts at theMakatifire station and ends at Ayala Tower One – where WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Rovilson Fernandez shall host a programme withperformances from El Gamma Penumbra, Brigada and other groups. No less than Earth Hour founder Andy Ridley shall lead the country’s main switch-off event, hosted by WWF with the help ofAyalaLandand the Makati City Government.

Cebu City’s Plaza Independencia shall be the chief switch-off site for the Visayas. A festive street parade led by local Sinulog Dancers shall start from Fuente Osmeña Circle from5:30 PM onwards. TheCebuswitch-off further features a candle lighting ceremony capped off by the release of biodegradable sky lanterns.Cebu’s event is in cooperation with the Aboitiz Group and the Cebu City Government.

SM Davao shall be the main switch-off site forMindanao. WWF-PhilippinesNational Ambassador Marc Nelson shall host the switch-off, which features a tribal-themed parade around SM Davao at 6:30 PM. Black-light and fire-dancers shall woo the crowd with specialized routines once the city plunges into darkness. TheDavaoevent is in collaboration with SM Supermalls, the Green Alliance and the Davao City Government.

Earth Hour Philippines National Director Atty. Gia Ibay shares, “We’re extremely excited for this year’sswitch-off ceremonies. Though the Visayas and Mindanao have always observed their own unique switch-off ceremonies, WWF has traditionally celebrated Earth Hour fromManila. To commemorate our country’s fifth Earth Hour, we thought it high time for WWF to observe the movement across the archipelago – which has always been what we’ve aimed for.”

I will if you will

Earth Hour has launched “I Will If You Will” – official 2012 campaign to showcase how everyone has the power to change the world they live in.

Earth Hour 2012’s new ‘I Will If You Will’ handle empowers people to share a personal dare with the world by asking everyone what are you willing to do to save the planet?

The concept of ‘I Will If You Will’ centers around providing a social contract between two parties – connecting one person, business or organization to a ‘promise’ and their friends, family, customers or members to a ‘challenge’ – uniting them behind the common goal of creating a positive environmental outcome.

The campaign has taken hold and ‘I Will If You Will’ pledges are now snowballing across cyberspace.

WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Marc Nelson has pledged to swim with sharks – in a Panda costume – and plant trees underwater while munching on a carrot, if 5000 of his Twitter followers pledge to avoid plastic and reuse shopping bags.

WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Rovilson Fernandez, for his part, has pledged to run races clad in a Panda costume until April if 5000 of WWF-Philippines’ 23,000 fans opt to use stairs over elevators for a full month. 

Caticlan Port Project GREEN LIGHT ON FOR RECLAMATION

By Noel Cabobos

THE RECLAMATION project in Caticlan port, the jump-off point to the world-renowned Boracay Island, finally got a green light from the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay.      

This developed after the Municipal Council passed Resolution No. 020, Series of 2012 endorsing the 2.6 hectares reclamation project of the Aklan provincial government “to pave the way for the construction of buildings and facilities aimed at boosting the ever increasing tourism demands in the Municipality of Malay” where Boracay belongs.

But in endorsing the project, the Sanggunian had set five conditions to ensure that the project would not affect the island’s ecology and balance as well as the sectors which were earlier fearful of being displaced once the project has taken place.

The conditions set are as follows:

1. Allocation of an office space to LGU-Malay within the building in the reclaimed area.

2. Convening of the Cagban and Caticlan Jetty Port Management Board before the resumption of the

reclamation project;

3. The reclamation project shall only be limited to 2.6 hectares in Barangay Caticlan and not 40 hectares as what the Aklan provincial government intends.

4. The local transportation operators or cooperatives will not be displaced.

5. The Aklan provincial government shall conduct a simultaneous comprehensive study on the environmental impact of the reclamation project especially during Habagat and Amihan seasons and put in place as early as possible mitigating measures on the effect of the project to the environment.

“Considering the sensitivity of the project, this Honorable Body through the Committee where this

matter was referred to conducted several consultations and committee hearings with concerned departments and the private sector, specifically Boracay Foundation, Inc., and they are one in belief that this local government unit has never been against development so long as compliance with the law and proper procedures have been observed and that paramount consideration have been given to the environment lest we disturb the balance of nature to the end that progress will be brought to naught, ” the resolution said.

The project, which will cost over P1-billion, got a beating from various groups here specifically from the Boracay Foundation, Inc. which filed last year a Temporary Environment Protection Order (TEPO) withthe Supreme Court in a bid to stop the project. The Supreme Court granted the petition and announced

that the TEPO will remain in effect until the high court decides to lift it. BFI president Loubelle Cann, owner of Tonglen Beach Resort, said the project poses a serious threat to the island as this will result to sand erosion which might affect the beach of Boracay which is known for its white fine sand.

Citing the studies by the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and Marine Environment and Resources Foundation Inc. (MERF), which both point out that reclamation may erode sand along the island’s shoreline, the BFI had asked the provincial government to forego with the reclamation project in order to preserve the island from degradation.

She said that if the project impacts negatively on the island, the damage later on might be irreversible.

The 10-year project will comprise of reclamation and development projects in Caticlan and in Brgy.  Manoc-manoc in Boracay. The Philippine ReclamationAuthority or PRA already gave the project a go  signal to reclaim and develop 36.82 hectares in Caticlan and 3.18 hectares in Boracay, or a total of 40 hectares.The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, however, only approved the 2.6 hectares in order to come up with a win-win solution and to establish a harmonious intergovernment relationship between the local and provincial government. Councilor Jupiter Aeldred Gallenero, himself a director of BFI, made the final endorsement of the 2.6 hectares.

Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez, it was learned, was so ecstatic about the passage of the resolution and committed that the province shall work in accordance with the conditions set for the Sanggunian in difference to the fears of the business sectors and other sectors which are apprehensive about the project.

He allayed their fears saying the environmental concerns had already been subjected to studies and scrutiny of the Environment Department saying it would not happen as shown by the environmental compliance certificate that the DENR had granted for the project.

“We do care for Boracay and we will do anything to preserve it. The island is our pride and the major source of our income to better serve the Aklanons. We will never allow the destruction of its environment,”he assured.

Dimgo Ke Eata Ribo (Dream of all Eata)

THE first ever Aeta festival dubbed “Dimgo Ke Eata Ribo” or “Dream of All Eata” wherein more than 250 participants from the Aeta, Ati, Ayta and Batak communities from all over Western Visayas and Palawan including a small contingent from Manila, converged at the covered court of Malay Feb. 26-27, 2012, to share their cultural heritage and their aspirations for the future.

The event was marked with food-themed cultural revival festival and a multi-sectoral development fo- rum. During the first day, a ‘cook and taste’ session of traditional foods took centerstage wherein the participants contributed specialty items from their respective areas. Apart from the actual tasting, recipes, rituals and information related to the ingredients was shared by the participants. The participants also engaged in story-telling and singing related to the foods they served, while before and after the C&T session, other sur- vival skills such as archery and fire making, as well as cultural expres- sions were demonstrated.

On the second day, a multi-sector development forum took place involv- ing representatives of the government such as NCCA, NCIP, DENR, and the local and provincial governments of Aklan. The forum, with Aeta lead- ers in charge, is aimed at providing a platform for sharing their aspirations and concerns including those in rela- tion to ancestral domain situation and ecosystem rehabilitation, food secu- rity and ecosystem-based livelihood development, and education & health care issues.

The forum also served in discussing appropriate ‘bottom up’ terms for future collaboration with relevant stakeholders for a better appreciation for a unique ancient cultural heritage which is at the roots of the region’s rich and appealing fabric.

The event was hosted by Malay- based Aeta organization called Malay Highlanders Foundation (MAHIFO) in collaboration Non-Timber Forest Products–Task Force (NTFP–TF), Malay Municipal Government, and the National Commission on Indig- enous Peoples (NCIP).

NTFP-TF, according to Forest Foods Advisor Jenne de Beer, is a collaborative network of NGOs and Peoples Organizations working with local communities on develop- ing their NTFP-based livelihoods. It works on NTFP development in the context of sustainable forest manage- ment and community empowerment.

Batad Rice Terraces: Saving a Living Heritage

Philippine Daily Inquirer 

10:21 pm | Thursday, March 15th, 2012

BAGUIO CITY—Civic groups, tourists and government workers continue to pitch in as Ifugao farmers begin preparing for the restoration of the Batad rice terraces in Ifugao, Gov. Eugene Balitang said here on Wednesday.

The Batad terraces in the tourist town of Banaue belong to the cluster of rice terraces declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) as World Heritage Site in 1995. Unusually heavy rains over the years had eroded sections of the terraces in Batad and in other parts of Ifugao.

On Monday, the Banaue government began clearing and stockpiling rocks for stonewalls. It also started field demonstration exercises every Thursday for people who volunteer to rebuild the terraces, reports from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) rice program office showed.

The reports said the Department of Budget Management has set aside P20 million as initial repair funds for the terraces.

Balitang said the Ifugao government will also tap funds from the Unesco National Commission of the Philippines (Unacom) to repair the terraces.

He said tourists and civic groups have helped in the work as a result of a bachang (appeal for help) that was called by communities there.

The Catholic organization Couples for Christ sent a delegation last week, while the Philippine Army promised to send soldiers to help, reports from Balitang’s office said.

The Ifugao government has prepared new maps and geographical data to guide farmers and engineers in their work on the terraces.

The terraces are unique as they were the result of ancient engineering practices that prevent the mountain from eroding.

Ifugao is a rainforest so the paddies act as soil and runoff water trap, while layers of forest cover in the mountains serve as watersheds, the Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office said.

On March 10, Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on cultural communities, inspected the damaged terraces.

Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr., chair of the House committee on cultural communities, has sponsored a billthat provides a stable source of funds for restoring and maintaining the rice terraces. Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon