MikeLigalig.com

Top 25 Beaches in the World: Boracay > Rank 2

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCBeaches-g1-World.html

Top 10 Beaches in Asia: Boracay > Rank 1

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCBeaches-g2-cTop10-Asia.html

More Infos: http://www.tripadvisor.de/PressCenter-i4642-c1-Press_Releases.html

Fire hits store in Boracay

QuoteWhile everybody was busy making noise and joyfully welcoming the New Year on Boracay Island, an establishment in Boracay Station 3 was reportedly hit by fire early Friday morning.

According to initial investigation, the fire started when a firecracker landed on the roof of the store selling plastic garments during one of the fireworks displays for the New Year celebration at around 12:30 a.m..

The blaze, which reached first alarm, was declared fire out after 15 minutes.

There were no reports of either injuries or fatalities.

The estimated cost of damage ranges from P50,000 to P100,000.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/01/01/11/fire-hits-store-boracay

QuoteThe M/V Mary the Queen, owned by the Romblon Shipping Lines, will have its first voyage from Manila to Caticlan and vice versa today.

Based on the documents submitted by the company, they will stay permanently on their Manilaâ€"Caticlan route, Caticlan Jetty Port administrator Niven Maquirang said.

"Tourists bound for Boracay will have another alternative route to go to," said Maquirang.

Aside from the airplanes, tourists bound for this resort island can also take the Strong Republic Nautical Highway or the roll-on, roll-off passenger barges as their medium of transport.

Also, the Negros Navigation has its scheduled similar voyage from Caticlan to Manila and vice versa every summer.

The M/V Mary the Queen is formerly owned by the MBRS Lines.

QuoteThe central bank yesterday doubled the ceiling on foreign currencies a resident may buy from banks from $30,000 to $60,000, one of five measures intended to ease the outflow of foreign exchange.

Quote
The Monetary Board also increased the ceiling of $200 to $5,000 for foreign exchange that departing tourists or balikbayans may reconvert at airports or other ports of exit without need for proof of sale of FX for pesos.

Full article here: http://www.malaya.com.ph/10292010/busi1.html

Isarog Lines is the first bus company in Bicol to offer this kind of service for Bicol-Manila-Bicol route > http://isaroglines.nagabusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout= blog&id=5&Itemid=5

Smoking and littering are prohibited on all beaches here.

According to Mayor John Yap of Malay town, violators will be fined P500.

Specifically, the prohibition on littering is embodied in Malay’s Anti-Littering Ordinance No. 100 Series of 2009.

Yap said they have already launched the information campaign regarding the prohibition, which was participated by residents, tourists and business organizations in this resort island.

"Streamers and posters are now posted in several areas all over the resort island as part of the ‘For Boracay I Will’ campaign," said the mayor.

‘For Boracay I Will’ aims to encourage tourists and residents to promote cleanliness here.

At least 20 municipal auxiliary policemen were detailed to monitor residents and tourists who may be violating the prohibition.

QuoteCebu Pacific (CEB) is set to launch its 16th international destination on September 5, with the airline’s maiden Manila-Beijing-Manila flights.

CEB’s thrice weekly service will commence when the flight departs Manila at 7:35 pm and arrives in Beijing at 12:05am. The return flight will depart Beijing at 1:00 m and arrive in Manila at 05:30 m.

To promote further awareness for its China flights, CEB slashes up to 82 percent off the airline’s lowest year-round "Go Lite" fares in a China and Hong Kong seat sale from August 30-31 or until seats last.

For travel from October 1 to November 30, 2010, passengers can travel from Clark to Hong Kong on P599 "Go Lite" seats. Those going from Manila to Hong Kong can avail of P799 "Go Lite" seats, while those from Cebu traveling to Hong Kong can avail of P999 "Go Lite" seats.

Meanwhile, for travel from December 1 to 31, 2010, guests traveling from Manila to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou can avail of P888 "Go Lite" seats.

Those with check-in luggage will just add P100 upon booking.

Full article: http://www.malaya.com.ph/08312010/busi13.html


+ Promo info:

QuoteThe Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) is set to launch its 16th international destination this September 5, 2010, with its maiden Manila-Beijing-Manila flights!

We are excited to begin our Beijing operations and so we are slashing up to 82% off the lowest year-round ‘Go Lite’ fares in a China and Hong Kong seat sale from now until August 31, 2010 or until seats last!

For travel from October 1 to November 30, 2010, you can travel from Clark to Hong Kong on P599 ‘Go Lite’ seats. From Manila to Hong Kong, fly on P799 ‘Go Lite’ seats, while those from Cebu traveling to Hong Kong can avail of P999 ‘Go Lite’ seats.

Guests traveling from Manila to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou can avail of P888 ‘Go Lite’ seats for travel from December 1 to 31, 2010!

Hurry, the Major, Major Low Fares are available now at www.cebupacificair.com!

Rising Sun, Setting Fares! CEB slashes Osaka and Kota Kinabalu seats by 33%!

Seat Sale as low as P599 to five destinations!

QuoteEnjoy our seat sales to Osaka and other destinations! We're offering fares for as low as P599 to five domestic and international destinations from now until August 25, 2010 or until seats last. This is for travel this October 1 to November 30, 2010.

We dropped our fares by 33% for flights from Manila to Osaka with the ‘Go’ seat sale fare of P3,999, and from Manila to Kota Kinabalu with the ‘Go Lite’ seat sale fare of P999.

P599 ‘Go Lite’ seats are also up for grabs for flights from Manila to Calbayog and Catarman, and from Manila and Cebu to Tacloban.

For bookings and inquiries, go to www.cebupacificair.com!

PAPA'S Day: A Father's Day Special

QuoteAirphil Express is gearing up Father’s Day with a special promo that’s sure to make everyone celebrate! The Papa’syal Day promo offers amazing fares to take your dad on that much deserved family vacation.

Make Father’s Day this year more extraordinary with this unique gift to let him know how much you appreciate him â€" Buy him a trip to any of Airphil Express’ destinations for as low as Php299 and Php499! From June 20-22, book and buy your flights through www.airphilexpress.com, your favorite travel agency or call the Airphil Express Reservations Hotline at (+632) 855-9000.

Flights from Manila to Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Kalibo, Naga, Ormoc, San Jose (Mindoro), Surigao and Tuguegarao are up for grabs at Php299 only. This includes flights from Cebu to Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Tacloban and from Busuanga to Puerto Princesa. Flights on the airline’s brand new A320s are also on sale at Php499 that covers Manila to Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo and Puerto Princesa. Travel between July 15 to October 15.

Recently launched A320 destinations from Manila to Cebu and Davao are also available at Php499 for travel between July 21 to October 15.

Airphil Express Corporate Communications Manager, Bettina de Vera happily announces, “We are taking this opportunity to thank all the dads out there for doing such a great job! Taking him on a vacation to any of our destinations is the perfect way to celebrate and show how much we appreciate him. In fact, this sale will have something for the whole family! So treat dad to the best father’s day gift, with a trip that he will never forget… he’ll love it!”

Still the only airline to provide 15 kilos FREE baggage allowance, Airphil Express is committed to putting its customers’ needs first by ensuring an easy purchase and great overall flight experience.

Promotional rates are exclusive of VAT and a minimal Aviation Security Fee of Php15. Hurry while seats are still open! Bookmark us at www.airphilexpress.com, where it’s easy to buy and great to fly!

QuoteOperators of the fog-wrapped Loakan Airport here have not seen a commercial plane land for three years now, due to a weather that has become a serious navigational concern for the airline industry.

But all this will change as Sky Pasada will start flying to the summer capital three times a day. With two 19-seater Russian-made LET 410 UVP-E passenger planes, Sky Pasada owned by the WCC Aviation Co., has officially reinstated Baguio in the flight plans for Northern Luzon.

In 2007, Baguio almost lost its only airport when domestic airlines stopped landing here after they expressed concern that the city’s daily afternoon fog was potentially hazardous to routine air navigation.

But the Arroyo administration invested in upgrading Loakan Airport as part of the government’s P100-million Aeronautical Highway of the North project.

Ramon Guico III, president and CEO of WCC Aviation, described Sky Pasada as “a rural airline that will connect the rural destinations all over the country.”

Guico says WCC Aviation intends to make the Baguio route as its Northern Luzon hub because it is strategic to servicing a market in Manila, Cauayan, Tuguegarao, Batanes and Boracay in Aklan.

Sky Pasada’s aircrafts can land in short-field, semi-prepared or unprepared runways, and can take off and land even in the harshest flying conditions, Guico says.

He says Sky Pasada would reroute flights to a WCC Aviation airfield in Binalonan on days when the Loakan Airport is not available.

Source: here






http://www.skypasada.com/destination_baguio.html: 

Sky Pasada flies Manila - Baguio every Tues, Thurs and Fri.

QuoteCEB offers best buy with P999 seat sale to the Visayas! - Low fare offer includes Boracay, Cebu and Bohol

We're giving even more opportunities for budget travellers to fly with a P999 seat sale from Manila to the Visayas and vice versa starting now until May 28, 2010. This is for travel from July 1 to September 30, 2010. This seat sale offers the best value for guests who are planning to travel this July to September!

Fly from Manila to Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Calbayog, Catarman, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Roxas, Tacloban or Tagbilaran and vice versa for only P999 on 'Go Lite'seats.

http://www.cebupacificair.com/

CNN choosed 20 idyllic beach getaways; also recommending Boracay:

Quote20 idyllic beach getaways
So many beaches in Asia, so little time, so we've picked out our faves for their seclusion, watersport action and local flavor.
Life's a beach, and in Asia there's a whole lot of good living to be had. We've researched and uncovered the top beach destinations to be found in the region. We've even broken them down into three categories -- secluded beaches, action beaches and local flavor -- so all you need to do is decide exactly how much coastal paradise you can handle.

Boracay may be a pimped-out tourist central but there’s a reason why it remains a superlative on travel rankings.
Tourism and development have crept up on the tiny island but it still lays a respectable claim to its “tropical paradise” name. Boracay has something for everyone, from powdery beaches to water sports and spas. And while the famous White Beach is lined with luxury resorts and kitschy souvenir shacks, watching the sun go down over the water still rates as a very special moment for many.

Source: cnngo.com

Congratulation to Boracay ! Members of Tripadvisor voted and choosed Boracay as Number 1 of the Top 10 Beach & Sun Destinations in Asia !

1. Boracay

2. Malediven
3. Ko Lanta, Thailand
4. Khao Lak, Thailand
5. Ko Phangan, Thailand
6. Koh Samui, Thailand
7. Miyakojima, Thailand
8. El Nido, Philippinen
9. Ishigaki, Japan
10. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

QuotePolice rescued yesterday morning an 18-year-old girl who was being advertised by her sister as a “willing sex partner for a fee” through the Internet in an entrapment operation inside a mall in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

A male browser reported to Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut that he discovered the advertisement of the girl with her photos through the overdose.ph account as an 18-year-old virgin willing to have sex for P20,000. When he contacted the girl through the cellular phone in her resume’, he said it was the girl’s elder sister he had talked to and who facilitated their “eyeball.”

Armed with P20,000 marked money, an undercover policeman acted as the interested customer and met with the two sisters at a fastfood court in a mall in Sta. Cruz wherein Yabut and his men posted nearby.

After a brief introduction, the elder sister, identified as Aleli Gutierrez, 24, received the marked money and was about to leave her sister when the cops pounced in.

During interrogation, Aleli said she was a regular model in overdose.ph and pinoypsp.org, two Internet sites offering sex services for a fee. She said she got her clients from males who visited the two sites.


She admitted posting her younger sister’s profile at the overdose.ph due to financial problem. “I told my sister her problem will be solved since the site’s male visitors are mostly professional and rich men,” Aleli told The STAR. “I was not wrong since just three days after posting my sister’s photos and profile she had already received a lot of calls.”

The girl said she did not pose for the site but her photos were lifted from her facebook account which was furnished by her sister to the moderator.

Yabut said charges of sex trafficking will be charged against Aleli, while her sister will be turned over to welfare authorities for counseling. Yabut is also tracing the whereabouts of the Internet sites’ moderators as conspirators in the trafficking of women for sex.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=567497&publicationSubCategoryId=65

By the way, this are the photos of the girl, who was "advertised":




And this the snapshot of the forum posting:

Some events at Boracay in April / May

April 17th,  2010, Enervon Sports Party, @ La Carmela de Boracay




April 28th, 2010, 1st Events Asia 2010 Golf Tournament, @ Fairways & Bluewater Resort



Mr & Miss Boracay Bodybuilding Contest from April 29 - May 2, 2010 @ La Carmela de Boracay Resort



April 20 - 24, 2010, 4th. Int. Dragonboat Festival

The Caticlan Jetty Port in Barangay Caticlan, Malay, Aklan is on track to become a world class tourism facility with its new improvements.

The port now has Wi-Fi and boat transportation is available 24/7.

There are also three bay watchtowers in this resort island to secure the tourists who are swimming at sea.

Caticlan Jetty Port Administrator Niven Maquirang said these developments are part of their endeavor to elevate their firm to meet global standards such as providing tourists free access to the Internet.

“We have posted the Internet connection password on the tourism information center so everyone can have free access to the Internet,” he said.

Maquirang said the free access to the Internet helps tourists, who come to this resort island for business or pleasure, communicate with their families and relatives.

Meanwhile, the jetty port management considered a 24/7 availability of motor bancas in cooperation with the Boracay Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative to ferry tourists in and out of Boracay Island any time of the day.

The Caticlan Jetty Port is the official entry and exit point of all tourists coming in and out of Boracay Island.

Maquirang disclosed that the Kalibo International Airport is now also considering 24/7 flights because of the continuous direct flights from Hong Kong, Korea, China and Taiwan.

“SMART communications has also approved our request of donating three bay watchtowers for Boracay Island. The tower will be used by our bay watch volunteers in cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Department of Tourism,” Maquirang said.


Source: Panaynews

Seen yesterday in SM Robinson

Budget one way fare .. around 1,100 Php

Zipline Boracay is at Fairways & Bluewater. Free shuttle service. Price per ride 700 Php, Tel. 09297037599

QuoteZipline Boracay is an outdoor adventure activity that consists of a pulley suspended on a cable mounted on an incline. It is designed to enable two users to simultaneously traverse from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by being physically attached to the cable by harness, which is then attached to a pulley.
Since safety is our main concern, Zipline Boracay utilizes two cables per person. Our cables are 12mm thick with a capacity of 1 ton per cable. We only use top of the line equipment from Petzl, a French company that is the leading manufacturer of climbing and work-at-height equipment
Beginning above the tenth hole at Fairways & Bluewater and landing on the beach below, with an elevation of 80 feet above sea level combined with a cable length of 300 meters and a slope of 30 degrees

Quote
Manila  or Clark to Bangkok     Php 1,499

    * Qouted fares are one way.
    * Limited availability.
    * Fare are exclusive of government fees and taxes.
    * Fares are non-refundable.
    * Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
    * Go Lite Fares are available upon booking for guests traveling without check-in baggage.
    * Add P 100 to fare upon booking if traveling with check-in baggage.

More details: Cebu Pacific

Bernadeth Sonido (far left), Michelle Alejo Bacorro (centre) and Ma Lourdes Dela Cruz (right) were fined $1,000 each

QuoteTo entice their customers to buy them drinks, three Filipinas bared their breasts in a Duxton pub, Singapore.

On Friday, Bernadeth Sonido, 35; Michelle Alejo Bacorro, 28, and Ma Lourdes Dela Cruz, 26, were fined $1,000 each.

A district court heard that on June 5 last year, the three foreigners were working as performing artistes at the Knights Pub & Karaoke along Duxton Road. At about 1am, the trio asked the three men they were sitting with to buy them ladies' drinks so they could earn commissions.

To encourage the men to do so, the Filipinas pulled down their blouses and exposed their breasts and nipples. The customers turned out to be undercover police officers and the women were arrested.

Asking the court to impose a light fine, the women's lawyer Gurdaib Singh said that his clients regretted committing the offences. They were also unlikely to be allowed to return to Singapore by the immigration authorities, he added.

The three women could have been fined up to $2,000 each and/or jailed for up to three months.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_506872.html

QuoteBORACAY ISLAND, March 23 (PNA) â€" The Boracay Special Tourism Police Office (BSTPO) has warned of the increasing cases of sea traffic accidents in this resort island due to recklessness of some boat operators.

The warning was issued amid the increasing tourist arrivals in the island.

Latest victims of the traffic accidents were Melchor delos Reyes, 26 a bartender of a resort and Myrna Bautista, 51, a government employee of Leyte province.

A report said the two victims on separate occasions were swimming at the beach when they were accidentally bumped by a motorized banca.

Both sustained physical injuries and were brought to the hospital for treatment.

Suspects in the said accidents immediately surrendered to the police authorities and promised to aid in the hospitalization of the victims.

Police authorities are trying everything to minimize if not eliminate sea traffic accidents while swimming in this resort island.

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=265907

QuoteBORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, March 23 (PNA) - The Boracay Special Tourism Police Office (BSTPO) is reminding foreign and local tourists coming to this resort island to be wary of the Salisi gang.

Police S/Inspt.Rolando Vilar, Boracay police chief said that some members of the Salisi gang are from Metro Manila while the others are locals.

"We are planning to place streamers in strategic locations of Boracay Island to remind tourists to take care of their personal belongings and be vigilant so that they will not be victimized by the syndicate," Vilar said.

It was learned that since November of last year, scores of tourists and even residents have been victimized by the series of robberies on Boracay Island.

Although some of the suspects were arrested, some of the victims were not interested in pursuing a case against them. "

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=6&sid=&nid=6&rid=265908&nga_Session=cec30a24254095875efa754a2489302c


Yeap, thats true.. we had guests and cell phone + camera was stolen on the beach within seconds by tricky thiefs.

Ocean Breeze Inn offers a family managed Guesthouse with groundfloor, 1st or 2nd floor rooms and Cottages for the budget minded traveller at Boracay.

We are located at Station 3 area, around 2 - 3 minutes walk from White Beach. Red Pirates - the best Paraw Ride at Boracay - or Mandala Spa are not far from Ocean Breeze Inn.

Each Guesthouse room has double beds or single beds or additional double deck (bunk) beds, aircondition, TV, Radio, hot / cold water, CR and balcony or verandah. Certain bigger rooms also have refrigerator, dvd player, HiFi mini components, safety deposit box etc. Rooms are suitable for solo travellers, couples or families due to different sizes.

The Nipa Hut Cottages have double bed or additional double deck bed, TV, Radio, Shower / CR and a balcony.

We also have a Guest Kitchen with all needed cooking facilities for self catering.

Internet wlan access is available in all rooms per request; we offer free coffee in the morning or optional breakfast.

Pick up service through our staff from Kalibo or Caticlan is well organized.

Ocean Breeze Inn has a 24 hours standby Generator.

Accomodation rates depend on room type, season and number of guests, starting already from 590 PHP on for a Nipa Hut Cottage in low season (2 guests / per night). Simply contact us for an individual quote via email; we usually reply immediately .. but not later than 24 hours.

More details at our website ...

Welcome to ...

QuoteIn celebration of its 15th anniversary on March 25, Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR) is offering special promos.
Free airfare is available for couples celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary and teenagers turning 15 on the same day.
They simply need to present necessary documents such as marriage and birth certificates upon purchase in any SEAIR ticketing office. Selling period is from March 25 to March 31, 2010, and travel period is from June 16 to October 15, 2010.

Source: abs-cbn

QuoteSoutheast Asian Airlines (SEAIR), the Philippines' premiere leisure airline, announces irresistible lean season promos in celebration of its 15th anniversary this March 25, 2010.  

Boracay one-way tickets can be purchased for as low as PhP 1,235 ++ per way and Batanes one-way tickets for as low as PhP 2835 ++ per way for travel from June 16- October 15, 2010. The selling period is up to May 15, 2010 but the promo is for limited seats, so interested holiday makers are advised to book early to get a better chance of availing the special rates.

Source: flyseair

The 1st. international kiteboard competition tour (from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Philippines to Thailand) is from October 2009 - March 2010. According to the organizer Boracay is one of the most establish kite locations in Asia with an already well established world reputation for top class wind and kiting conditions.








Round 4 was from Febr 24 - Febr 27 at Boracay, Bulabog Beach with 59 riders from 20 countries.
Current leader of this competition is Narapichit Pudla from Thailand with 2710 Points, followed by Sedat Celenk from Turkey with 2450 Points and Christopher Ken Nacor from Philippines with 2425 Punkten.








http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-FdEaRmIXY

Boracay SKYATHON slated in April

QuoteThe first beach and surf run on the paradise island of Boracay in Aklan is set to take place next month with 10-kilometer and 5-kilometer race categories.

The SKYATHON Bora Beach and Surf Run:
Run for the clean-up of Boracay will be held on April 24, 2010, Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Participants can race barefoot or in aqua socks when they run from Station 1 to Station 3.

The start and finish points will be at the Guilly's Island beachfront at Station 1.

Moreover, net proceeds from the race will help fund the cleanup programs of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and Kiwanis Club of Boracay.

The SkyCable event is organized by by Keep Me Posted Inc. (KMP) and officiated by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

Entry fees are P500 for 10K and P300 for 5K (March 1 to April 4), P700 for 10K and P500 for 5K (April 5 to 20) and P900 for 10K and P700 for 5K (April 21 to 23).

The 10K male age groups are 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 and above, while the 10K female age groups are 18-29, 30-39, and 40 and above.

Interested runners can visit SKYCABLE's Site or register at the TRAP head office at the PhilSports Complex (formerly ULTRA) in Pasig City, KMP office at Greenbelt Mansion in Makati City, Bike King at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City, Second Wind Running Store in Teachers Village and Ortigas Home Depot, and any Gold's Gym branch except for Walter Mart.

The male and female 10K champions will receive P3,000 each plus a medal and winner’s shirt. They will also get a one-year membership at Gold’s Gym.

Source: abs-cbn