Spectacular Sorsogon

For an ordinary tourist—foreign or local—a popular Philippine tourist fare would be to snorkel somewhere in Palawan or a night’s out in Malate. Been there, done that. But for an intrepid adventure seeker, traveling to the southernmost tip of the island of Luzon is a whole new experience.

Let me enlighten those who haven’t been to that exotic part of the archipelago. Yes, Sorsogon is that peninsula in southern Luzon jutting out into the Pacific Ocean and is one of the six provinces that comprise the Bicol region. Sorsogon comes from the vernacular word “sosogon” meaning “to follow”.

An ecotour paradise

The name of the province tells of a story of a group of Spaniards lost in the relenting wilderness of the Bicolandia. Coming across a raging river, they asked—with much effort—a native where they could find the nearest settlement. The native answered “sosogon” and pointed to the river. From then on, history and legend intertwined and facts got lost. One could only surmise if the Spaniards did find the settlement. Nevertheless, they could very well be the first tourists to a majestic land of volcanic terrain, marshy undergrowth, orchid-festooned woods and white sand beaches!

Fast forward to the present and Sorsogon still has that pristine quality that tourists are longing for in a dream vacation. Its 14 towns and capital city, also named Sorsogon, are pictures of unspoiled beauty despite modernizations which are—for the most part—complementary rather than inimical. The province still boasts of green and lush mountain forests that are sanctuary to rare flora and fauna and bountiful and crystal-clear seas showcasing magnificent coral reefs and tropical fishes. Cecilia H. Duran of the Sorsogon Tourism Council says that the province is one big ecotour paradise.

One-of-a-kind Pacific adventure

Because the province is almost completely surrounded by water, the geography offers exciting coastal and sea-based ecotour activities that cover most of the towns. Bask under the warm sun of the beaches of Gubat, Sta. Magdalena, Prieto Diaz and Bacon as you curl your toe fingers between fine grains of white sand. Or better yet, be tingled with the feel and sight of the pink sand island beaches of Matnog as you wander along primordial coves and inlets.

For the thrill-seekers in you, indulge in your favorite aquasports like scuba-diving, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, surfing and jet-skiing. Not yet satisfied, then travel to Donsol and witness for yourself the phenomenon that has brought this once sleepy town to its feet. Marvel at the gigantic “Butanding” or whale shark as it glides harmlessly on the water. These gentle creatures, considered as the largest fish, are also seen off the shores of Pilar, Castilla and Magallanes from the months of October to May.

Exotic nature trek

If you are a nature enthusiast, you should not also miss the land-based ecotour that the province has to offer. At the forefront of this activity is the breath-taking trek in the Bulusan Mountain Lake Resort and the Mt. Bulusan Volcano and National Park.

Be enthralled by the calm, turquoise waters of the lake cradled by lush vegetation. Or brave the tempting and picturesque lure of an active volcano through mountain biking. It also doesn’t hurt to explore the mystical caves in the area. To cool it off, why not take a dip in the neighboring Irosin, reputed to be sitting on top of a vast reservoir of geothermal power.

There’s also the agro-forestry tour in which you can have an ocular inspection of the vast tracts of agricultural lands with its various products and resources. Here, there is special focus on the “Pili” tree plantations. Ever tasted the sweet pili-nut candy? Well, it’s just one of the by-products of the highly versatile Pili tree which is indigenous to Sorsogon.

A cultural wonder

Like any other places in the country, Sorsogon also showcases its socio-historical legacy via festivals held annually. These are glimpses into the cultural heritage of which each town has an abundance of. An example is the “Bandalaan sa Bulan” every 31st of May, a festival showcasing the many uses of the “abaka”, a fiber which for some time during the Spanish colonial era was a major worldwide export.

Also, regale in the old houses or “bahay na bato” of Juban and Barcelona (the Spaniards who eventually colonized this part of the country named it so for it reminded them of their own picturesque coastal hometown in Spain). Also, try not to miss the reputed oldest church established in the province at the town of Casiguran. Because the province is home to one of the country’s most devout peoples, “visita iglesia” or church visit is definitely a worthwhile component to a tour as Sorsogueños take good care of their churches.

In the capital city of Sorsogon, the “Kasanggayahan” Festival is celebrated from the 10th to the 17th of October in commemoration of its foundation as a province. Join the highlight of the festival, the incomparable “Pantomina sa Tinampo” or dancing in the streets and be swept off your feet by this coquettish dance of love. “Pantomina” is replete with strutting, whirling, swirling, swinging, kneeling and even rolling as it imitates the movements of pigeons engaged in an amorous courtship ritual. Truly, a reflection of a hot-blooded Bikolano.

Fiery cuisine & classy accommodation

And talking about heat and passion, never leave the province without ever savoring the fiery cuisine of which “Bicol express” is legendary. This is a spicy concoction of sautéed pork, fish or shrimp; chili pepper; a generous dash of herbs and simmered in coconut milk. Other local specialties include boiled crabs and lobsters which can also be bought fresh from local seafood stalls or requested at resorts, caught straight from the sea. Also, taste the tangy and delicious “kinilaw na sira”, raw fish fillets soaked in vinegar and chili.

These cuisines are also served in the several fine hotels and pension houses in the province. There’s the Fernandos Hotel just across the city hall compound of Sorsogon, a perfect jump-off point for a tour of the province. It offers excellent accommodation in its elegant executive suites and comfortable twin rooms. But if you want to get closer to nature, try Veramaris Resort Hotel in Gubat and awaken your senses to the soft murmur of waves at the famous and perfect beach cove that is Rizal beach, named after the nation’s national hero.

How to get there

Now, itching to go to Sorsogon? Easy. The Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines have daily morning flights from Manila to Legazpi City in the neighboring province of Albay. There are also flights from Cebu to Legazpi. From Legazpi, you can take a bus or rented car to Sorsogon which is only 45 minutes away. Provincial buses operating from Pasay and Cubao in Metro Manila also has daily trips to Sorsogon. If you’re coming from the Visayan islands of Samar and Leyte, you can take a ferry boat and drop anchor at Matnog Ferry Terminal.

Once there, getting around Sorsogon is a breeze. Just flag down taxicabs or for-rent tricycles to go to points of interests. There are also jeepneys and air-conditioned buses available all hours of the day in most towns. You can also go coast-to-coast hopping around the peninsula on rented motorized “bancas” or boats.

Truly spectacular

What better word to describe the province of Sorsogon, a land steeped in physical and cultural beauty, than spectacular. While it is lacking in stupendous shrines and monuments so common in other tourist destinations in the country, it has certainly in abundance of natural attractions. If you’re tired of the usual tourist fare of crowded city streets and overrated resorts, try the unpretentious charm of the countryside and escape to Spectacular Sorsogon.

Travel destinations: Tagaytay City, Philippines

Tagaytay City is an ideal destination for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila being that it is only 60 kilometers away. Perched at more than 650 meters above sea level, this town on a mountain ridge offers breath-taking views of Taal Lake that surrounds Taal Volcano. From its highest point, one can get a glimpse of several provinces in Southern Luzon: Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and Quezon. Because of its cool climate, it is the perfect place for leisure activities such as golf, picnics, horseback riding, and camping. It is also a popular destination for sightseeing because of it breathtaking view of the Taal Lake and Volcano. Numerous hotels, spas and restaurants have set up home in Tagaytay making it one of the most tourist friendly destinations in the Philippines.

The weather in this mountaintop haven offers a splendid clime to many dining hangouts and tourist havens. The place is also synonymous to fabulous food, spiritual retreat or communing with nature. Urbanites also drive up to Tagaytay to simply buy locally grown fruits, honey, flowers, vegetables, plants and handicrafts.

A trip to Tagaytay and its neighboring areas is not complete without sampling its many specialty restaurants. Here are some:

Sonya’s Garden –

Just off the road to Nasugbu-Lemery, Sonya’s Garden is a restaurant inside what is virtually a greenhouse.

The dining area, wrapped in a mix of plastic, galvanized iron sheet and fish net, lies next to a flower garden. The smell of fragrant flower wafts in the air as one walks into the hall.

The set menu includes home-made pasta with a choice of two sauces (white sauce with chicken and a sprinkling of mango and a red sauce with sun dried tomatoes). Bottomless “dalandan” (a local citrus with a cross between an orange and lime) is served along with a generous bowl of salad and a choice of dressings.

Shrimp (or chicken), mushrooms, nuts and other ingredients you can put on your pasta or munch separately are thrown in, plus a small bowl of jackfruit.

Sonya’s people grow some of the vegetables and ingredients in the menu. The dessert-grilled sweet potatoes soaked in caramel sauce-is quite a delight to the palate.

Josephine’s-

Josephine’s is a glitzy restaurant overlooking Taal Lake. Its reputation goes a long way, built over a decade of indulging Pinoys’ taste for home-cooked dishes.

The restaurant’s ambiance is a cross between modern and traditional, but dining at Josephine’s offers a touch

The top five sightseeing spots in San Francisco

It’s almost impossible to choose the best five sightseeing spots in San Francisco. Just about everywhere you look in all directions is a beautiful view. Years ago, we were on a Northern California tour with our kids. When the bus was crossing the Oakland Bay Bridge and we could see the magnificent vista of the City by the Bay grow out of the fog before us, the driver played the perfect song by Tony Bennett. Remember how the lyrics began?

I left my heart in San Francisco.

High on a hill, it calls to me.

To be where little cable cars

Climb halfway to the stars!

So, that ride across the bridge would be my first choice for top sightseeing spots in San Francisco. My second choice goes back, way back to December 1945, and it is for another bridge. After service in the Philippines, and with the war ended, I was on a troop ship returning about 5,000 Navy and Marine veterans to the States.

Some of the guys had been overseas for more than three years, including some former POWs, and as we entered the bay and saw the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge loom in front of us, we knew we were home. Most of us lined up on the sides of the ship and waved and yelled at the top of our voices. Others just stood there silent, while they brushed away tears.

We had made it through the war! I can also remember just months before in the Philippines, when we were assembling an enormous fleet and half a million troops for the final battle, the air and amphibious assault on the Japanese home islands. D-Day, along with staggering casualties, was expected to be at about that same month in 1945. The cynical poem then was: Golden Gate in 48.

The other three? I must name Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s an obvious tourist trap, with all kinds of souvenir clothing, overpriced restaurants and knicknack shops. However, it still has the look, smell and feel of a fishing village, and if you get to the right (and reasonable) restaurant, you can order delicious meals of super-fresh seafood just hauled in a few hours ago. The pier itself is enjoyable, and has beautiful views of the Bay, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. When we were there, an outdoor music festival was all around us, including everything from rock to Bach, as well as brightly dressed magicians, jugglers and clowns.

My next favorite attraction is the one Tony Bennett sang about, the famed, ancient but still thrilling, cable cars of San Francisco. To see the city from the very top of Nob Hill to bottom at Market Street or Fisherman’s

Asia Tour Guide

You think of a great holiday? Asia could be the perfect destination. Asia offers a great holiday experience to the knowledge of different cultures and attraction – especially now that you can hire a private tour guide who offers custom tours. Over the past few decades, travel in Asia has become very sophisticated, with birding guides in Thailand and fashion guides in Tokyo, diving guides in the Philipines to sailing cruises in Bali and Komodo.

Beach holiday in Asia are popular for many Westerners. When you visit the countries of Southeast Asia particularly, your holiday will never be complete without surfing and beach party. You will certainly enjoy the natural beauty of the white sand, which are rare in these parts of the world.

A vacation trip to Asia will allow you to discover its natural beauty. If you are planning a vacation, the Asian countries would be the perfect destination. You can discover new cultures and will be fascinated hospitality and Asians are friendly. Here are some very good reasons why you should provide for a holiday in Asia.

1. This is an excellent way to spend a long holiday in Asia. You will have a great time in spending your budget. You will have the advantage of the dollar exchange rate. You will have the best time and all the time in the world all your spending money.

2. You can find tours and travel packages that are inexpensive. Travel agencies offer reasonable prices for your entire Asian experience. You can also find plenty of vacation rentals that offer a relaxing experience that you would not forget in your whole life.

3. Asian countries such as China and India have large tracts of benchmarks that are considered to be wonders of the world. In addition to watching the Great Wall of China and the Taj Majal in India, you must also be educated to the different regions. You can make your vacation China and Tour India, a scenic, cultural, religious or historical travel.

4. The region of Southeast Asia offers travelers with a lot of beaches. In Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia have the most beautiful beaches in the world. Apart from the beaches, you will also be surprised with the tropical climate of the region. Tourists especially from the western countries have experienced great treatment of fun and people.

5. Hong Kong is the place to visit. The new Hong Kong Disneyland is a new attraction for the country, especially for those who have brought their families. You can also take advantage of their purchases in markets close to the river from Hong Kong. Their restaurants serve another taste of Cantonese cuisine you surely appreciate.

6. With the natural beauty of its mountains and rivers, Taiwan would be a perfect choice for the holidays in Asia. Asia tropical climate is responsible for the beauty and diversity of the continent’s wonderful and abundant forests. Taiwan is also known as a major destination for bird watching especially during the months of September and May.

Hottest Beachfront Real Estate in the Philippines

 

The Philippines are a beautiful set of thousands of islands situated in South East Asia. The beauty of these islands is what makes them so popular for residents and holiday goers alike. The Philippines are actually over 7,000 islands but only 2,000 of them are inhabited. The area of all the islands are split into three main groups; Luzon, Mindanao and Visayas. The hottest beachfront real estate in the Philippines can be found in a variety of places across the whole area. 

Luzon has a great range of beachfront real estate in the Philippines and is one of the most popular areas to live. Luzon is the largest and northern most island and is very popular for beachfront property. The capital city of the Philippines, Manila is also located on this part of the islands and is extremely popular for condos and single family homes. Beachfront property is very exclusive and extremely sought after here. Most of the beachfront homes available here are beautiful homes with a great deal to offer; land, large bedrooms and amazing views across the sea and sands. 

The Philippines also has a great range of beachfront property elsewhere and the majority of these follow the same pattern of being high quality, large and with breathtaking views. If you’re planning on moving to the Philippines or even planning on purchasing a holiday home then Beachfront real estate in the Philippines is your best bet. You can spend the summer relaxing and recharging and most of the properties are only a short distance from the capital city or nearby towns so you don’t have to be completely secluded.

For more information on beachfront real estate, visit http://www.beachfront.asia.

For more information on oceanfront hotel property, visit http://www.oceanfront.asia.

 

Eye Bag Surgery Philippines

 

Eye bag Removal / Blepharoplasty

Double Eye Lid Surgery / Slit Eye Surgery / Eye Fold Creation

Rejuvenation of the eyelid area is technically called Blepharoplasty, it is a procedure used to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, restoring firmness to the area surrounding the eyes and making you look more rested and alert. A lot of patients that seek consult to improve the appearance of their eyes complain that they have a lot of loose and excess skin at their eye area thus giving them a tired and aged appearance that does not reflect their actual age.

The changes that occur upon aging at the eyelid  area are very noticeable and often affect patients’ self esteem. These changes can be fullness and hooding of the upper eyelid skin, poor definition of the upper eyelid folds and puffiness or bagginess of the lower eyelid. These changes are very prominent and affect the facial profile or appearance of the patient thus gives a tired, sad and haggard appearance.

Eyelid surgery can treat loose or sagging skin of the periorbital area, it may also redefines or creates the upper eyelid folds or hides the natural contour of the upper eyelid, excess skin that hangs  from the upper eyelid (sometimes impairing vision), excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids or bags under the eyes, droopiness of the lower eyelids, and excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid.

Unlike Brow lift, the effects of blepharoplasty procedure are more localized on the eyelid area. The skin surrounding the eyes is the area where the first signs of aging set in. As early as 2nd to 3rd decade of life, skin redundancy and fat protrusion in the periorbital area can be noted. And through time this may progressively becomes deep wrinkling with hooding of upper eye lid skin, puffy lower eye lids and may be accompanied by drooping of the eye brows. Theses give the face a tired, sad or angry expression. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that addresses these issues in the eyelid area . It can brighten the face, improve the definition of the upper eye lid folds and restore a more youthful appearance. This is attained by removing the loose, sagging skin of the eyelids and the excess fat that bulges from the upper and /or lower lids.

This procedure is done  under local anesthesia and will take 2 to 3 hours to complete. The incision is oriented along the natural fold or crease of the upper and lower eyelids so that the result will be a very inconspicuous scar. Patients should not worry on the final appearance of the scar since this is much concealed and hardly noticeable. Excess skin and protruding fats are excise to create a smooth and crispier appearance of the eyelid skin. This will also improve the definition of the upper eyelid fold. This procedure is usually performed in a fully equipped out patient surgical facility without compromising patient’s health, safety and results. After this, patient may go home or stay at their hotel to rest and recuperate. Patients must be aware and willing to accept that there will be mild swelling and bruising for 2 to 3 days after the procedure however, this will start to subside on the 4th day onwards. Thus patients’ eyes are socially presentable by the 7th to 10th day after the surgery since much of the swelling had subsided.  Sutures are removed on the 4th to 5th day after the surgery.

Patients planning to have this procedure are  required to allot 10 to 14 days for the initial consultation, laboratory, medical clearance, surgery, follow up, suture removal and early recuperation. After these,  patients are safe to travel since wounds are already dried and healed.

Possible risks and complications:

 

            0.Unfavorable scarring
0.Temporarily blurred or impaired vision
0.Dry eyes
0.Difficulty closing your eyes
0.Lid lag, a pulling down of the lower eyelid may occur and is often temporary
0.Ectropion, rolling of the eyelid outwards
0.Bleeding (hematoma)
0.Poor wound healing
0.Infection
0.Fluid accumulation
0.Blood clots
0.Numbness and other changes in skin sensation
0.Anesthesia risks
0.Eyelid disorders that involve abnormal position of the upper eyelids (eyelid ptosis), loose eyelid skin, or abnormal laxness of the lower eyelid (ectropion) can coexist with sagging forehead and eyebrow structures; brow lift surgery will not correct these disorders; additional surgery may be required
0.Pain, which may persist
0.Skin discoloration and swelling
0.Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
0.Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
0.Possibility of revisional surgery
Loss of eyesight
 

 

 

 

For more information you may visit www.philippinecosmetic.com or www.cosmeticplasticsurgeryphil.com    

 

Author:   Dr Peregrino R Lorenzo VII  Plastic Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgeon  Certified and fully trained Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, with 6 years of formal training in the field of Aesthetic, Reconstructive and Burn Plastic Surgery.   

  Disclaimer: “Webmasters are free to reprint this article provided that it is not edited, the author’s information is included, and the links are included as live links.”   

    Resource box text: “Dr P Lorenzo is the author of http://www.philippinecosmetic.com  , a free guide to affordable cosmetic plastic procedures, choosing the right surgeon and safety tips in cosmetic plastic surgery”   

  

 

 

 

Tagbilaran, Philippines: Both Merriment and Monumental Tours Await the Traveler

Located at the southwestern area of Bohol, Tagbilaran City is one of the super competitive and vastly improving areas in the Philippines. Proud to have 15 barangays, this fabulous area has a quickly growing economy, up to date infrastructure, as well as interesting tourist attractions. Additionally, this area is also a very proud host to numerous outstanding colleges and universities, a growing tourism market, and many one of a kind festivals.



The History of Tagbilaran



Just like all the important cities in the Philippines, Tagbilaran City is a popular place where native Filipinos primarily resided even before its colonization. This area became one of the most historic locations in the province, particularly after the Blood Compact between Datu Sikatuna and Spanish conqueror Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in 1565. Since then, this local has developed vastly into one of the most modern places in the Philippines, especially after it became one of the charter cities of the country on July 1, 1966.



Economic Factors



As one of the growing cities in Bohol, many local and foreign investors foresee great economic potential in Tagbilaran City. Today, it plays host to numerous hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls. Aslo, people can also find numerous banking institutions located all over the city. Few of the most notable and highly regarded business and commercial establishments within the area are Island City Mall, Plaza Marcela, and Metropolitan Banking Corp.



Tagbilaran Education



Aside from its booming economy and modern infrastructure, Tagbilaran City also has excellent universities and colleges. Three of Tagbilaran’s most popular world-class universities are AMA Computer Learning Center, BIT International College, and Holy Name University, all who are famous for their first rate curriculums. In the meantime, students who are looking for high quality education with super affordable tuition fees, can enroll at places like University of Bohol, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, and Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology.



Tagbilaran Tourism



Besides the presence of competitive universities and colleges, Tagbilaran City is also a haven of super interesting and beautiful tourist spots. More importantly, two of its pristine natural tourist sites are Elley Hill and Banat-I-Hill. In the meantime, those who want to visit beautiful, historical and cultural tourist areas, can check out wonderful places such as Saint Joseph Cathedral, Park Rizal, and Bohol Museum. Likewise, the city also has a lot outstanding resorts and hotels such as Hotel La Roca, Gie Gardens Hotel, and CoCo Grove Tourist Inn.



Tagbilaran Festivals



Many tourists also love to travel to the city to experience many lively, entertaining, and captivating festivals. Three of its most popular festivals are Ubi Festival, Anniversary of the Blood Compact or Sandugo Festival, as well as the City Fiesta. Simultaneously, these festivals also holds a lot of fun and very exciting festivals at the barangay level, some of which are the feasts of San Roque, Santa Cruz, and Our Lady of Guadalupe.



A Look at Transportation



To satisfy more visitors, the city ensures that it has an modern transportation infrastructure. Besides sea transport, travelers can also travel conveniently and comfortably via air. Aside from its Tagbilaran’s extensive transport system, travelers can also take cabs, buses, and jeepneys in exploring the numerous interesting and very attractive historical landmarks in the area.

When Your Lover Comes Over From The Uk To Visit You For The First Time It Can Be A Nightmare Knowing

When your lover comes over from Britain to visit you for the first time, it can be a nightmare knowing what to do in specific situations. So I have put together 4 tips on what to do.
1. Be prepared – create a plan for the complete holiday. Discuss with your fiancee the locations you wanted to show him. In my part I looked for the hotel myself and made the reservation. You will not need to pay in advance, just give them your fiancees name, dates and what type of room you sought to reserve. If its in Manila I prefer to stopover in Makati so that its nearer to the major shopping mall, such as Ayala Centre, and additionally not too far from the airport. Even he can make his reservation online but you can not always rely on what it shows in on web. Of course you know your country more than he will, so you can always provide your suggestions. During my boyfriend`s initial visit here, I took him to the Baguio City,The Pagsanjan Falls and Rizal House in Laguna and of course we stay most of the time here in my hometown, Manila. We spent the first and the remaining two days here in Manila so that we have time to be with my family and make sure that he will not miss his flight.

2. Be considerate – How many hours will you going to spend with him or will you be there with him all through the entire holiday? Make certain that you are free in the course of his visit. How would you visualize yourself in the air over 12 hours or more and just discover that the person you want to see or be with is having other commitments or have other appointment? Be considerate, your man has clearly been on a long journey and spent a lot to come to see you, consequently your job is to give him your quality time and make his holiday the most memorable one. Decide how much time you require to remain in the hotel, I mean your fiancee of course will be extremely excited to see more of the country and not just stay inside the hotel all day, except when the weather is awful but at least you must have another choice ready in case there is a typhoon and you cant go somewhere. When it is raining hard or storm it is best go to the Bowling Alley in SM Malls.
3. Be resourceful – Have a plan where to go, which place you are going to show him, ask him his interests, historical, entertainment, nature and etc. Remember to find a map or travel guide, you can purchase one from the National bookstore. Educate yourself about the main tourist attractions of the Philippines so that you do not look like a stranger in your own country. Last July, we went to the surfing area in La Union, The Heritage Village in Vigan Ilocos Sur, Cebu City and a couple of the days in Manila. We did it all in exactly 8 days. It was strenuous but we had a fantastic time together. By the way, if you would like adventures I suggest you go to The Pagsanjan Falls. It costs around 5000 pesos to rent the craft. Two boatmen will push you through the raging river to the waterfalls. It was fantastic and great joy.
4. Be friendly – It is very important to know his food preference so that you will have your research which restaurant to go to. Inquire his favourite foods, if he likes highly spiced, sweets and etc. If he wants to taste our pinoy specialty foods, you had best proceed to the Buffet Dinner in Glorietta Mall, its a restaurant that serves western, Japanese and Filipino buffet dinner which cost nearly 500 pesos per person, or go to Barrio Fiesta Restaurants and benefit from the Filipino folk songs with the singing cooks and waitress. Unless you just wanted to feed him hamburgers and fried chicken every day, no problem just go to Mc Donalds or Jollibee which I do not recommend because for me I rather let him eat our own distinctive dishes, such as sinigang, kare kare, adobo, lechon, etc. But take into account, he is your guest do not make him to eat the food he does not want to eat. Ive heard that a large amount westerner prefers to have fish fillet than fish with the head remaining on it. Some think that Krispy pata is disgusting, and also the dried fish and shrimp paste. In Baguio City we like to dine in The Sizzling Restaurant alongside the Session Road, they serve Sizzling Boneless Bangus.
I trust you have found these tips informative, and wish you luck in your future relationship.

Summer Resort Island in Canadian Arctic

CURRENCIES

U.S. Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged, but Korea and Canada raised their interest rates this week…all the more reason to hold currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

OUR CLIENTS’ PORTFOLIOS

We are holding resource and foreign companies for our clients. We hold very few U.S. stocks that are not involved in resource industries.

AS WE HAVE SAID RECENTLY…A GLOBAL MARKET RALLY IS UNDERWAY

Take your pick. Most countries are enjoying a good summer rally with many new highs. Let’s start with the I’s, India and Indonesia, then Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Korea, and even Japan is flirting with multi-year highs. China has had a good rally but it is still below the highs of May and June.

How about the Americas? Canada, Brazil and Argentine are at new highs. Even the U.S. is in new high territory. Europe also has many markets hitting new highs.

Global liquidity patterns are strong. Central banks are supplying excess liquidity and someday it will all come to an unpleasant end. However, the sun is out today and we will enjoy the good financial weather and keep an eye our for rain clouds. The year has been a good one and we will want to protect our profits. We expect a good market rally through August and then we will watch for a fall correction, so we expect to take a lot of profits in mid to late August, and then recommit after the expected seasonal pullback.

U.S. MARKET

As many of you may know, the last six decades the mid October to mid May period has been the best for U.S. stocks, with May and June usually weak and July-August often providing a summer rally, followed by a decline in September and early October. This pattern is not a guaranteed annual event but it sometimes works out that way.

GLOBAL MARKETS

Other parts of the world have different patterns and are driven by a much different, and currently much better, fundamental backdrop. Globally corporate profits are growing much faster than in the U.S., global economic growth is much faster than in the U.S. and so on.

We expect a continued uptrend in the better global markets punctuated with periods of correction. For the past several years, the wise approach has been to buy during these periods of correction. We plan to continue that approach.

Thanks for listening

For More information on global investing visit http://www.howtoinvestglobally.com and for More information on Guild Investment Management Services visit http://www.guildinvestment.com

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These articles are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a solicitation, offering or recommendation of any security. Guild Investment Management does not represent that the securities, products, or services discussed in this web site are suitable or appropriate for all investors. Any market analysis constitutes an opinion that may not be correct. Readers must make their own independent investment decisions.
The information in this article is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation, or which would subject Guild Investment Management to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country.

Any opinions expressed herein, are subject to change without notice. In addition, there are many market, currency, economic, political, business, technological and other risks that are beyond our control. We make reasonable efforts to provide accurate content in these articles; however, some content and some of the assumptions, formulas, algorithms and other data that impact the content may be inaccurate, outdated, or otherwise inappropriate. In addition, we may have conflicts of interest with respect to any investments mentioned. Our principals and our clients may hold positions in investments mentioned on the site or we may take positions contrary to investments mentioned.

Guild’s current and past market commentaries are protected by copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act, you must not copy, frame, modify, transmit or distribute the market commentaries, without seeking the prior consent of Guild.

Dangers Of Dengue

Even the Asia’s cleanest city cannot escape deadly mosquito bites. Singapore reached a record high of dengue incidence in 2005, reaching 12,700 and nine deaths. But the cleanliness-obsessed Singaporean government is not taking the matter with no serious efforts. The government has taken the fight against dengue in a higher level by going down the ranks. The battle to curb mosquito bites has been waged on a house-to-house basis with the search-and-destroy campaign.

The campaign will run with almost a thousand health officers and volunteers going to every household in areas where incidence of dengue are high. Manual household checks will be done to determine breeding spots and living areas of dengue-carrier mosquitoes. The rationale behind the campaign is that individual household checks can yield to specific preventive measures believed to be more effective than blanket policies used in the past. People and travelers alike, who are already diagnosed with dengue, will be required to use insect repellents so as to prevent more transmission from happening.

The recent outbreak of dengue in Singapore is believed to have resulted in more damages than what SARS did in 2003. The uncontrollable rise in dengue incidence has left the government clueless for some time on what else is needed to be done, given all the existing measures they have been relying to, which in fairness succeeded in mitigating the extent of cases in the past years. The new improved per-household campaign has 30 million Singaporean dollars for its budget and multi-lateral efforts from local and foreign health agencies.

Actually, it is not only Singapore that is suffering from increased rates of dengue incidence and dengue-related casualties. Indonesia, with the most cases, had 80,837 cases and 1,099 deaths during the entire year of 2005. Malaysia had 32,950 cases and 83 deaths. The Philippines islands, with 21,537 cases and 280 deaths, is also on the record for the year 2005 alone. But the increase in the rates of cases in Singapore is the highest in the Asian region, resulting in cancellation of hospital surgeries to give bed spaces for dengue patients.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue fever are acute febrile diseases transmitted by mosquito bites by mosquitoes from the Aedes aegypti group. The term “dengue” is traced to a Spanish attempt at the Swahili phrase “ki denga pepo,” which means “cramp-like seizure caused by an evil spirit.” The first outbreak is believed to have occurred in the Caribbean in 1827-1828. The dengue virus belongs to the genus Flavivirus of the family Flaviviridae.

This deadly infectious disease is manifested via recurring fever, extreme headaches, rashes, and muscular pains. The rash is distinctly bright red petechia, usually appearing on the lower limbs at the beginning, and the chest later on. But in some cases of severeness, the rashes can spread all over a patient’s body. Other signs like gastritis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting can also be observed. A typical dengue fever will last about six up to seven days. The fever will peak before it ends.

When a patient is suffering from a dengue case, the platelet count in the blood drops, resulting in further health hazards. As of now, there is still no commercially available vaccine for the flavivirus. The Pediatric Dengue Vaccine Initiative (PDVI) initiated in 2003 is yet the farthest scientists have gone in coming up with a vaccine to directly combat the virus causing dengue fever. The current measures being undertaken to cure dengue-inflicted people are mainly of supportive measures only. High oral intake of fluids or the supplementation of intravenous fluid are prescribed to prevent dehydration. In worst cases where in the platelet count is alarmingly low, blood transfusion is the last resort.

Still, as a cliche goes, prevention is still better than cure. This is especially true in the absence of a specific cure as in the case of the deadly dengue. Basic prevention measure is the elimination of hubs, where mosquitoes thrive. This will not only deny existence for dengue-carrying mosquitoes but it will also affect those that carry malaria virus. Individual, community, and governmental efforts should play hand-in-hand to ensure the effectiveness of this basic measure. Spraying of insecticides in public areas, cleaning of clogged drainage systems in the community, and keeping each household free of breeding spots are the most practical steps in protecting the community from dengue. Personal prevention may be in the form of using mosquito nets, applying repellents, covering of exposed skin, using bed nets, and avoiding endemic areas. Other governments can also come up with innovative measures like what Singapore initiated.

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