Manila Channel tight up with various groups in Tourism and Technology

Manila Channel's connection is growing as it recently unites with groups in the field of travel and tourism
and with EVFIT-DOST-ICTO. The road map for Philippines next wave cities.
MANILA, Philippines, July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Manila Channel, the fastest growing online
news site, is increasing its connection. It recently teamed up with travel and tour companies and with
Eastern Visayas Department of Science and Technology Information and Communications Technology
Office (DOST-ICTO).
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130709/CG44254)
According to Bryan Cinco, the founder of Manila Channel, they are growing their network not only to
connect with more people and to deliver news and current events but also to help the government on
various programs and to boost the tourism of the country.
On tourism
Cinco said that Manila Channel is driven with a goal to provide information that will make the
Philippines one of the best travel destinations in the world.
"Manila Channel has several objectives right now. But our top priority is to deliver information to
Filipinos and foreign tourists about the best places in the country. We will highlight travel destinations
that are worth visiting," Cinco said.
He said that through this effort, they can help the government in promoting the country's tourism. He also
explained that they will be providing a complete guide that will be very beneficial to travelers.
"We really want to boost Philippines' tourism that is why we came up with an idea of connecting with
travel and tour companies. We guarantee that what we will deliver is a complete travel guide," Cinco
stated.
"Our readers will get relevant information such as how to go to the country's premier travel destinations,
details about hotels and resorts, foods, the possible amount to spend when traveling and other relevant
stuff," he added.

Cinco further stated that they aim to visit thousands of travel destinations in the country to ensure that
they cover all the tourist spots that will interest and encourage Filipinos and foreign tourists to travel
in the Philippines.
On EVFIT-DOST-ICTO
Cinco confirmed that Manila Channel is now a member of Eastern Visayas Federation for Information
and technology (EVFIT). It is an organization of Department of Science and Technology that unites IT
enthusiasts in Leyte, Samar and Biliran.
"We are now in partnership with EVFIT and we are very happy about it. We are also in the field of
information technology and to be part of such organization is a must for us, for our team," Cinco said.
Cinco however clarified that the need to be part of the said organization is not only to boost their network
but also to support the programs and goals of DOST and EVFIT.
"Manila Channel will try to support the programs and objectives of the organization especially in terms of
information technology. Currently, they are working on the Philippine Next Wave Cities and we want to
assist them in every possible way," he stated.
Cinco explained that the Philippine Next Wave Cities is DOST's IT-BPM and ITPRENEURSHIP Road
Show in the country. It is a program that aims to bring more job opportunities and to develop the
economy in the countryside.
He further stated that the said road show will cover different cities including:

Naga City on August 8-9

Cagayan de Oro on August 22-23

Laoag on September 5-6

Tacloban on September 12-13

Butuan on September 19-20

Puerto Princesa on October 10-11

Baguio on October 24-25

Tarlac on November 7-8

Ilo-Ilo on November 18-19

Rizal on November 25-26

The founder
Bryan Cinco is the founder of Manila Channel. Aside from this, he is also a Search Engine Optimization
(SEO) Specialist, an Online Reputation Management (ORM) Consultant and an expert in the field of
Search Engine Marketing (SEM).
He already handled various clients and helps them establish their brand and reputation online. These
include Article Writes, an article writing service that provides quality articles to website owners all over
the world; Phare Consulting, a security consulting firm that supports manufacturing companies in every
aspect of their business; and Reputation Executives, an ORM company that helps individuals, businesses
and organizations in protecting their online reputation.
His success in these fields can be attributed to the method he used in his work which is quite similar
to Agile Manifesto. Like the Agile Methodologists, Cinco understands that a business is about delivering
good products and he considered "people as the most important asset."
About Manila Channel
Manila Channel is an online news site that delivers quality news and current events to Filipinos all over
the world.
Media Contact: Nancy Almasco, Manila Channel, +63 929 615 6458, business@manilachannel.com
News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com
SOURCE Manila Channel

Celdran plans vibrant Manila tourist district

Manila, Philippines --- A lot has been said about Manila that leaves much to be desired. Actress Claire
Danes called it a "ghastly and weird city," Bourne Legacy writer-director Tony Gilroy found it "colorful
and ugly and gritty, raw and stinky and crowded," and most recently novelist Dan Brown graphically
described it as the "gates of hell."
And whenever these negative facets of Manila life are strewn globally, regardless of its truth, Filipinos
turn to the government for defense or turn to social media to express their own righteous anger.
Ironically, however, these negative facets that Filipinos try to obscure are the same facets that make
Manila so interesting. You can expect recently appointed Manila City tourism consultant Carlos Celdran
to relate an interesting and extraordinary story of Manila. He wants more Filipinos to know more about
the city's heritage, to get under Manila's "gritty" skin, in order to understand its complex history.
"We need to promote heritage tourism to make Manila's tourist district viable again. Culture and heritage
play an important role in the promotion of Manila as a premier destination," said Celdran. He is known to
have changed the way one looks at Manila through his walking tours of various heritage spots in the
capital city.
In his blog, celdrantours.blogspot.com, Celdran shared that "Manila can be chaotic and spiritual, dirty and
divine, gritty and gorgeous all at once. If you don't find beauty and poetry here, you will never find it
anywhere."
But now, as tourism consultant to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Celdran is well aware that beauty and
poetry alone won't bring in tourists and businesses to Manila until infrastructure and security bottlenecks
are alleviated.
"Problems on cleanliness, crime, vagrants, safety and poor infrastructure are just some of the obstructions
that dampen tourist activity in Manila, especially heritage tours that require a lot of walking," said
Celdran. "Mayor Estrada already expressed his plans for urban renewal and heightened public safety so
I'll leave that to him."

If Celdran's tourism plans push through, Manila will have a vibrant well-connected tourist district that
stretches from the landmarks fronting Manila Bay CCP Complex, Rizal Park and the historic Manila
Hotel), passing through the neighborhoods of Ermita and Malate, the landmarks of Intramuros, Binondo,
Sta. Cruz and all the way to Quiapo and Divisoria.
In an earlier television show interview, the celebrated tour guide mentioned his plans to transform
Manila's baywalk strip into a "pedestrian Broadway." "The baywalk could be a two-prong promenade
connected. Two walkways with lights and directional signs, with that you will create a big difference how
people perceive Manila," he explained.
The big difference, hopefully, could translate to tourist influx. More than the Philippines' main tourism
hub, Manila remains one of the top destinations for foreign visitors in the country because of its varied
lifestyle options like entertainment, shopping, dining, night life, concerts, exhibitions, shows and
spectacles.
According to statistics from the Department of Tourism (DOT), 1,729,862 foreign tourists visited the
National Capital Region (NCR) from January to December 2011. Inbound tourism demand has
significantly increased since then as reported by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., citing the roughly
two million foreign tourists who visited the country since January to May 2013.
"Manila is teeming with tourism potential," Celdran said. "Mayor Estrada wants me to look at possible
touristic areas that may have been overlooked by the past administration. With the right projects I'm
optimistic that we can revive Manila's former glory."

Tourism in Manila
Tourism in Manila is an important contributor to the Philippines' growing economy. As of 2010, Manila
is the second most visited destination in the Philippines with over 2 million visitors per year. In terms of
foreign visitors however, the city and its region remain the most popular destination in the country with
overseas visitors numbering 1,480,871 in total (2010).

Metro Manila contains several notable attractions including a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 45 other
cultural heritage landmarks. These cultural attractions are mostly concentrated in the City of Manila and
offer a glimpse into the city's Malay, Spanish, and American origins. Popular sites include the Spanish
colonial buildings in Intramuros, the World Heritage Site of San Agustin Church, Rizal Park, and a
few Art Deco and Revival style buildings like Manila Metropolitan Theater and the National Museum of
the Philippines. There are also modern attractions such as the Manila Ocean Park, the integrated resort
complex of Resorts World Manila, and the newly opened Solaire Resort & Casino.

ATTRACTIONS:
Within the City of Manila

Intramuros - a historic fortified complex that is home to the city's oldest structures, such as San
Agustin Church, Fort Santiago, and the Manila Cathedral.

Fort Santiago - a Spanish citadel located at the mouth of the Pasig River near Intramuros.

Manila Cathedral - a 19th-century ecclesiastical building in Intramuros and seat of the Roman
Catholic Archdiocese of Manila.

San Agustin Church - a World Heritage Site in Intramuros and the Philippines' oldest church.

Rizal Monument - Memorial to the Philippine national hero, Jos Rizal, located at the center
of Rizal Park(Luneta).

National Museum of the Philippines - home of the National Art Gallery.

Museum of the Filipino People - Anthropology and Archaeology museum.

Museo Pambata - a child-oriented museum.

Metropolitan Museum of Manila - a premier museum of modern and contemporary visual arts.

Manila Zoo - the oldest zoo and botanical garden in the Philippines.

Ermita - located outside the walls of Intramuros near Luneta, this district is home to major
government buildings and many hotels.

Malate - the tourism center of Manila famous for Baywalk and the Remedios nightlife district.

Binondo - an old district of Manila that is home to Manila Chinatown established since 1521. Its
main attractions are Binondo Church, Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arch, and Seng Guan Buddhist
temple.

Paco Park - a recreational garden that was once a Spanish cemetery located in Paco district.

Malacaan Palace - the official residence of the President of the Philippines.

San Sebastian Church - the only all-steel Gothic basilica in Asia.

University of Santo Tomas - the oldest university in Asia.

Plaza Miranda - the main public square of Quiapo district.

Manila Ocean Park - an oceanarium with a marine-themed mall and hotel.

Around Metro Manila

Makati - one of Southeast Asia's biggest financial hubs noted for its cosmopolitan culture.

Bay City - an entertainment and leisure hub situated in the Manila Bay area that is home to SM
Mall of Asiaand the Entertainment City complex.

Cultural Center of the Philippines - an arts and culture district by the bay adjacent to Bay City.

Ayala Museum - the largest private museum of Philippine art and culture.

Bonifacio Global City - a 440 hectare development with upscale shopping malls, condominiums,
and modern offices.

Ortigas Center - the second biggest financial district in the metropolis that is home to the Asian
Development Bank headquarters.

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - the largest U.S. cemetery in the Asia-Pacific region.

St. Joseph Parish Church, Las Pias - located south of the capital, the church is home to the Las
Pias Bamboo Organ.

Solaire Resort & Casino - a world class integrated casino complex and the newest gaming
destination in the Entertainment City.

Resorts World Manila - the country's first integrated entertainment and casino resort located
across from the Ninoy Aquino International AirportTerminal 3.

Star City, Manila - the city's foremost amusement park.

Close to Metro Manila

Tagaytay - a mountain town south of Manila famous for its cool climate and views of Taal Lake.

Taal Volcano - the smallest active volcano in the world.

Camaya Coast - a beach resort and residential development in Mariveles, Bataan known for its
pristine beaches and several waterfalls.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone - the country's first free port and a major beach and water sports
destination north of Manila

Barasoain Church - a historical church and the birthplace of the First Philippine Republic.

Clark Freeport Zone - the former U.S. Air Base in Angeles where Clark International
Airport, Expo Filipinoand many inland resorts are located.

Mount Samat National Shrine - a historical shrine near the summit of Mount Samat built to honor
Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II

Lake Pinatubo - is the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo located near Angeles.

Puerto Galera - a small town on Mindoro Island known for its numerous pocket beaches and
many snorkeling and diving spots.

Nasugbu - a popular seaside community near Tagaytay with massive resorts developments such
as Punta Fuego, Hamilo Coast and Fortune Island.

Los Baos - a university town south of Manila known for its abundant natural hot springs.

Aguinaldo Shrine - a national shrine in Kawit, Cavite converted into a museum.

San Antonio - a laidback beach and surfing community in Zambales near Subic Bay with
attractions such as Capones Island Lighthouse, Pundaquit Beach and Anawangin Cove.

Anilao - a popular spot for divers in southern Batangas.

Corregidor Island - an important historic tourist site located at the mouth of Manila Bay.

Pagsanjan Falls - a famous cascade that was declared a national park.

Villa Escudero Plantations - a working coconut plantation converted into a resort.

Enchanted Kingdom - Located in Santa Rosa, Laguna, it is the biggest theme park in the
Philippines.

SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Manila

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/celdran-plans-vibrant-manila-tourist-district-164255306.html

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