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(The Manila Times) TOURISM is an important economic driver for the Philippines, and with each change of administration, the new tourism secretary and the Department of Tourism (DoT) launch an enthusiastically ambitious plan to attract more visitors to the country and expand the tourism sector.

The current DoT under Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco is no different, but faces much tougher challenges than its predecessors. In order for its tourism strategy to be successful, the DoT and tourism stakeholders will need to be keenly aware of market conditions and adjust their plans to match.

Some of those challenges were revealed in a webinar on Thursday presented by the economic analysis and advisory group Oxford Economics and the International Air Transport Association. The current reality and medium-term prospects for the air travel industry were laid out in detail and they are somewhat discouraging… Read More

(Interaksyon) It’s a dream come true for Ivy Aguas’ fans.

Popular revenge drama series “Wildflower” will stream on Netflix Philippines next week after it has ended its run four years ago.

Fans of the Kapamilya show alerted the public when they saw the series appear on the streaming platform with a notice that reads: “Seasons Coming September 9.”

The post was accompanied by a preview of one of the series’ episodes which features a young Lily Cruz, the protagonist, encountering governor Julio Ardiente on the road as their car breaks down.

A Twitter fan account dedicated to Maja Salvador was among those that shared the announcement.

Fans expectedly expressed their elation upon learning of the news.

“LET’S EAT THIS CAMPY SHOW UP,” a Twitter user said.

“YASSSS WILDFLOWER ON NETFLIX, FINALLY. DASURV,” another user exclaimed.

“Finally, pwede na i-binge watch,” a different Pinoy commented with a clapping emoji.

Others also hoped that another Kapamilya drama starred by Maja, “The Killer Bride,” would also be streamed on the platform.

“The Killer Bride [naman] sana next,” a Twitter user said in response to the development.

“‘YUNG KILLER BRIDE DIN. DESERVE NUN MA-NETFLIX!!!!” another online user exclaimed.

“The Killer Bride” is another hit TV series of Maja where she played the role of a falsely accused woman bent on exacting revenge on those who have wronged her… Read More

(Mongabay) Balintang, PHILIPPINES — “Seaweeds are important to me because they give me joy when we plant them,” says Melinda Gimotea, as she crouches down among the pile of seaweed seedlings under her stilt house on the southwestern coast of the Philippines’ Palawan province. Facing the teal blue sea on a fine July morning, the 55-year-old ties the olive-green plant cuttings to ropes with floaters, each spanning 25 meters (82 feet).

In her village, Balintang, seaweed farming builds a sense of community and strengthens family ties, as it gives opportunities for community members to connect with each other, Gimotea says: “It’s a time when we get a chance to bond with my neighbors, with my family.”

Early the next morning, she hops with her husband on a 2-meter-long outrigger boat and paddle a few meters offshore until she reaches her 2,500-square-meter (0.62-acre) farm. There, they drop the prepared seaweed lines and leave them until they’re ready for harvest in 45 days… Read More

(Bulatlat) Upper Katablangan in Conner, Kalinga enjoys 20 years of nearly uninterrupted power supply from the community’s micro-hydro project this year. This remote community located 20 kilometers from its nearest neighboring barangay could be reached with an eight-hour trek up a perilous foot trail when it is rainy or two hours on expertly-driven motorcycles when the road is dry enough. It is one of the first barangays in Abra, Kalinga and Apayao provinces to build a micro-hydro power plant for electricity, a vital service often taken for granted in lowland communities.

Building a micro-hydro power project—it took the indigenous Isnegs of Katablangan six long years—is one thing, keeping it dependably running is another however. Maintaining a 7.5kw power plant where destructive typhoons often wreak havoc on lives and property, where replacement parts are hard to purchase and deliver, and where engineers of the Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya (SIBAT, their project partner) usually takes weeks to reach for repairs is hard. When these happen, these are the times that Katablangan reverts to dark nights, save for good old-fashioned kerosene lamps… Read More

(Interaksyon) MANILA— The Philippines is open to new talks with China on oil and gas exploration, the Southeast Asian country’s foreign affairs chief said on Wednesday.

A deal with China or any other country on joint oil and gas exploration, however, should comply with Philippine laws, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, said during a congressional hearing on his department’s 2023 budget.

Talks over joint energy exploration between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea had been terminated, Manalo’s predecessor said in June, citing constitutional constraints and issues of sovereignty.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who took power in June, said last month he would try to “find ways to work to resolve the conflicts that we have” with China, so ties could normalize after years of maritime disputes… Read More

(Bulatlat) MANILA – Farmers can feed the nation if only the government will prioritize agriculture and food production.

In a forum titled “Economic Briefing on the Food Crisis,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson emeritus Rafael Mariano called on Marcos Jr. to address the food crisis. “It is already of national concern. What follows the food crisis will be the worsening hunger of the people.”

Prices of rice, onion, sugar, flour, and vegetables continue to increase. There is also a possible shortage of salt and sweet potatoes.

The Philippine government, according to independent think tank Ibon Foundation, needs to be more determined as the contraction of the economy in the second quarter of 2022 shows that economic recovery “remains weak.” This, IBON added, is a sign that Filipino households are struggling.

“To get out from this vicious cycle of food insecurity and hunger, the government must decisively reverse its liberalization policies that bolster food import dependency. Local food production must seriously be strengthened than food importation,” Mariano, a former agrarian reform secretary, said.

Mariano said that instead of turning to importation, the government should strengthen local production and provide much-needed significant aid to farmers, fisherfolk and food producers. “We are an agricultural country of more than 100 million. Farmers can feed the population if the government prioritizes agriculture and food production.”… Read More

(Manila Bulletin) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday acknowledged the suggestion of former Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao to jointly yet legally explore oil and gas in the West Philippine Sea, although it deferred the conduct of its process to the Department of Energy (DOE).

While the Philippines did not object nor agree with the proposal, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said DFA “is guided by the Constitution” on the possible exploration as well as on development and utilization of natural resources located within the exclusive economic zone, continental shelf and jurisdiction of the Philippines.

So, DFA welcomed the appointments of former Chief Justices Artemio V. Panganiban and Reynato S. Puno as co-chairs of the DOE’s Law and Energy Advisory Panel to guide the legal process moving forward, she added.

“The Department looks forward to working with the DOE on a way that is anchored in the Constitution and with the protection and promotion of Philippine national interests as the paramount consideration,” Daza said… Read More

(Daily Tribune) Jordan Clarkson knows the sky’s the limit for his Gilas Pilipinas teammate Kai Sotto.

Seeing Sotto’s development after two games in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Clarkson advised the 7-foot-3 Filipino youngster to continue making strides on his dream of still making it to the National Basketball Association.

The Utah Jazz stalwart said Sotto still has a lot of time to catch up and turn into the best version of himself.

Sotto led Gilas’ interior defense by posting a double-double game of 16 points and 13 rebounds to support Clarkson’s 23-point outing in their 84-46 win over Saudi Arabia late Monday.

“Sky’s the limit for him, he just got to keep putting the work in and keep making strides in his career path,” Clarkson said.

“I think he’s 20 years old, I didn’t make it to the league until I was 21 or 22 years old. I think he’s going to Australia to play against pros at a young age and really learn the game.”

Sotto can definitely seek inspiration from Clarkson… Read More