Enchanted Kingdom Gives 17 New Reasons to Come Back and See Its Magic

Written By
KC Canlas

When in Manila, and you want to experience the “magic”, Enchanted Kingdom is the place to be — the country’s world class theme park where kids and kids at heart have fun and excitement under one roofless location.

This September 2012, Enchanted Kingdom celebrated its 17th anniversary. How time really flies when you’re having fun. I still remember the first time me and my family went to this magical place. That’s probably over a decade ago now. Enchanted Kingdom made it possible to have a taste of premiere theme park experience without flying out of the country.

Looking back, some of the rides I used to love are still at the park. For one, the super thrilling Space Shuttle is still standing majestic in one corner of Enchanted Kingdom but it was renamed as “Space Shuttle Max” that sports new coach rides from Holland. If you have been in this theme park and have not taken a shot at the Space Shuttle Max then you’re missing out a lot. Space Shuttle Max is a triple loop roller coaster ride that is not for the faint of heart.

Space Shuttle Max

One of the Three Loops of Space Shuttle Max, Riders Upside-Down

Another ride that gives me the chills but still enjoy taking is Anchors Away. This large anchor swings back and forth for a couple of minutes, making your stomach flip the same way.

Anchors Away

A chill ride in Enchanted Kingdom that can be relaxing for most but scary for people with acrophobia is the Wheel of Fate. This Ferris wheel used to be the king in terms of size in thePhilippines until the Mall of Asia Eye was opened. Still, the Wheel of Fate is an icon in this theme park. According to them, there have been several momentous “yes” answered back on this ride. The question is “Will you marry me?” and its variants. Sweet!

Wheel of Fate

In celebration of its 17 fun years of existence, Enchanted Kingdom gives everyone 17 additional reasons to witness its magic. From a new ride to new enchanting amenities, there will be something from these 17 reasons that will make you want to see Enchanted Kingdom again.

17 New Reasons to Visit Enchanted Kingdom

The inauguration of these 17 reasons was marked by a media event entitled “Spinning and Rocking at 17 – The NEW MAGIC Begins..” and opening of their newest ride called DISK-O-MAGIC.

Spinning and Rocking at 17 – The NEW MAGIC Begins at Enchanted Kingdom

DISK-O-MAGIC is a family ride that literally does what Enchanted Kingdom has been doing for the past 17 years, spinning and rocking. It’s a one-of-a-kind ride that will make your heart beat faster. Woohoo!

DISK-O-MAGIC

Testing the DISK-O-MAGIC

When in Manila, the magic is only a 2-hour drive to Laguna, where Enchanted Kingdomis.

 When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com to complete your trip.

Filipinos Rule World Surfing Contest

Filipinos Rule World Surfing Contest

GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte – Filipinos ruled the weeklong 2012 World Men’s Surfing Cup that ended here on Thursday as they dominated the sporting events participated in by foreign surfers.

Edito “Piso” Alcala was declared the over-all champion of the 18th International Men’s Surfing Cup. Bonifacio Figuran was first runner up while Philmar Alipayo and Mike Escultora both placed second.

On the other hand, the Filipino team Sandugo Sandals placed first in the three-day 2012 Women’s National Beach Volleyball Tournament. MOTOPOSH took second lace while San Sebastian College took third place.

All the winners of the surfing and volleyball competitions received cash prizes and trophies.

General Luna town Mayor Jaime P. Rusillon expressed heartfelt gratitude to the winners and sponsors of the sports events.

In another development, the city government of Surigao, through the City Tourism Office bestowed awards of excellence to individuals and firms who contributed in the promotion and enrichment of the city’s tourism industry.

For achieving the highest numbers of hotel guests from October 2011 to July 2012 among hotel establishments in the city, recognitions were given to Hotel Tavern with 20,220 guests; Aden Apartelle, 13,307; E.Y. Miner Suites, 13,164; RSY Pension, 9,602; and Mt. Bagarabon Resort, 7,230.

For the highest hotel occupancy rate recorded from October 2011 to July 2012, recognitions were given to Philippine Gateway Hotel with 53.93; Aden Apartelle 35.60; E.Y. Miner Suites with 81.75; Gunter Pension 78.14 and Miwa Beach Resort with the rate of 72.94.

XL Pension House, Le Chard Place, Bed and Breakfast, Miami City Suites, Moon Café and D’Resto Bar & Grill received awards for promoting tourism and demonstrating positive economic impact. A certificate of recognition was also awarded to Conching Apartelle for the untiring support to tourism data collection activities exemplified in the prompt submission of monthly tourist arrival data from the period of October 2011 to July 2012.

Also, a certificate of acknowledgement and recognition was given to Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Officer-in-Charge Evangeline Babate and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Surigao Port Manager Isidro Butaslac for setting the standards and providing improved airport and port facilities to all the passengers and guests that created a tourist-friendly atmosphere.

Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Roselyn Armida B. Merlin said under the administration of City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas and through the cooperation of the private sector, Surigao City will soon be known all over the country and eventually the whole world for its amazing and pristine tourist spots.

 The awards were given in line with the National Tourism Week celebration in the city

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com

Firm produces coconut sugar

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

THE coconut business is not all about copra. Benjamin Lao proved this when he produced coconut sugar, coconut syrup, cacao with coconut sugar, ginger brew or salabat, sweet and spicy seasoning and many others.

Lao’s business started when he inherited five hectares of land in Barangay Eman, Bansalan, Davao del Sur from his parents. He said he realized then that not only did he inherit land, he also inherited his parents’ passion for farming. While Lao worked in government, he spent his weekends developing the farm two hours away from Davao City where he works.

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At first the coconut farm only yielded 300 to 400 coconuts per quarter. After extensively researching on farming he learned that planting nitrogen-fixing legumes is a good form of fertilizer. His coconut harvest improved to 15,000 nuts per quarter.

Lao, the 2005 awardee for most outstanding farmer in Davao del Sur, then launched the Lao Integrated Farms Inc. that also ventured in goat and hog raising.

This also marked an increase in the production of coconut-based products, particularly the sweetener under the product name Donnabelle.

He said coconut sugar and syrup are more tolerable for people with diabetes.

While Lao’s market is largely based in Davao, the coconut products are slowly making their way to Cebu particularly in stores catering to health-conscious individuals. The products are available in Oats and Berries at Robinson’s Cybergate, Tindahang Pinoy, Wellnessland, Librando BioMedical Clinic, SugarFree Haven, BHMC, Pardis Chiropractic Clinic at Ayala Center Cebu, Hmart, Fair Trade, Fooda Saver’s Mart.

The products will also be available in selected pharmacies in Cebu.

Last April, Lao opened his satellite office on F. Llamas St., Cebu City, managed by Lilah Marie Gatchalian, in connection with its goal of expanding in the area through more dealership. (PR)

When in Cebu City, please visit also gregmelep.com for a more complete and enjoyable vacation or retirement.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 27, 2012.

Tourism sector eyes bigger market

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By Mia A. Aznar

AS THE World Tourism Organization sees the Asia Pacific region as the next region to see in 10 to 20 years, local tourism stakeholders are aiming to get the Philippines on the large global tourism market.

Research, Education and Institutional Development (REID) Foundation vice president Cherrylyn Rodolfo, who presented to local stakeholders the state of Philippine tourism, said the country is ready to take advantage of this due to its strategic location in the Asia Pacific region and in Southeast Asia.

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The Asia Pacific region has an annual tourism growth rate of 6.3 percent while Southeast Asian countries grew 6.8 percent.

She said that if the Philippines wants to catch up with its neighbors, it has to come up with new products to offer tourists. Rodolfo said the country had a “dismal performance” from 1980 to 2010.

They learned that it takes a visitor several years to realize his desire to travel to the Philippines. When they determined to find out why, she said there were indications that tourism suppliers had to turn guests away at certain times of the year due to a lack of capacity to accommodate them.

There is also a lack of products to lure them.

These, she said, were mostly during peak season.

Constraints

“So even if the Philippines was number one in their list, the visit was not realized because of the constraints they faced,” said Rodolfo.

Still, she believes the landscape of Philippine tourism is about to change, with the government completing its National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) to come up with competitive tourism products, enhance connectivity and strengthen governance.

Rodolfo noted that in the product portfolio of the Philippines, which are sun and beach, culture, nature and cruise and nautical tourism, Cebu is able to offer all of these. “The question now is, do we want to part of that growth or are we content to watch at the sidelines?” she told those present.

Following the NTDP, she said some provinces have begun setting up their own tourism plan. Rodolfo said Cebu seems to have a major role for many of these provinces.

She explained that the Mactan-Cebu International Airport serves as a major gateway to many provinces and that the success of these destinations will also depend on how well the airport is positioned. She was glad to hear of the plans to expand it and added that the airport still has room for expansion so that it can serve other tourism development areas.

Rodolfo cited Bohol as a province that considers its linkage with Cebu as critical to their tourism plans and that there have been moves to work on tourism loops similar to what Hong Kong and Macau have. She said this can be explored by improving the ferry services and the port facilities and offering online bookings.

Competitors

Despite Cebu’s critical role in the development of other provinces, Rodolfo warned that even if they can be allies, these other provinces could also become competitors if Cebu does not work on its own tourism plan. Currently, there are plans to complete an international airport in Panglao, Bohol while other airports are also being improved. She added that Iloilo, which is the third busiest airport in the country, currently has no international flights. However, it will start its international flight to and from Hong Kong by November.

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Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 28, 2012.