Pinoy Goods Promoted in 16th Buy Pinoy Exporters Fair

SM Megatrade Hall 2 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City during the 16^th Buy Pinoy Exporters Fair held last November 27-30, 2008.

Organized by the Buy Pinoy Movement Foundation, the event aims to raise the level of consumer consciousness on the global competitiveness of Filipino made products, promote Filipino products locally and internationally, encourage indigenous talents and investors by showing them the advantages of locally-developed products, and promote sustainable development.

Showcasing Philippine-made products from all over the Philippines, visitors got a virtual experience of shopping in different cities and provinces of the country during the event. Shoppers browsed through more than 100 booths selling more than a thousand items and products all proudly made in the Philippines. Among the products were jewellery and fashion accessories from the provinces of Cebu, Albay, Iloilo, Baguio, and Bulacan; handicrafts, home décor, furniture, novelty items, Christmas decor, gift items from the cities of Albay, Bacolod, Tuguegarao, Antipolo, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Parañaue, and Pasig as well as products from Aurora province, Negros Occidental, Pampanga, Iloilo, Tarlac, Palawan, and Samar province

Food delicacies and native pastries such as buko (coconut) pie and kakanin, meat products, chocolates, smoked and dried fish, bangus (milk fish) and tuna products and local fruit juices and beverages were available from the provinces of Albay, Laguna, Ilocos Norte, Bulacan, Cavite, and Quezon province. Apparel, barong tagalog, baby accessories, footwear, and leather goods were showcased by manufacturers from the provinces of Lumban and Liliw, Laguna and Bulacan, and Metro Manila areas Las Piñas and Quezon City.

Buy Pinoy Movement Foundation President Marlane Villa-Real said the fair was set in time for the Christmas holidays. Villa-Real assured that the products are of export quality, durable, creative and sold at very affordable prices.

9th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2008

Various natural health products and beauty regiments were showcased during the 9^th Health, Wellness, and Beauty Show 2008 held last November 28-30, 2008 at the SM Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.”

With the theme “Your Health, Your Wealth”, the event aims to address the health, wellness and beauty concerns of the public and introduce new remedies, services, tools, equipment, and organic products that would help rejuvenate both mind and body. Furthermore, it seeks to increase the awareness and consciousness of healthy living and provide various options for the Filipinos to stay fit, healthy and beautiful.

During the 3-day event, participating professional health practitioners and medical doctors gave free consultations and conducted free health and wellness seminars. Also, over 60 companies offered various health and beauty products; organic, natural food and drinks, and fitness and wellness services to visitors. Others offered demonstration and product presentation of the latest organic, herbal and beauty products.

The event was organized by Fiera de Manila and sponsored by Health and Lifestyle Magazine, Aspendos International Corporation, Business Mirror, View Magazine, Friendly Alliances and Media Expressions Inc., HotOccassions.com, and HotWire.

RP Resorts, Hotels Lauded by Readers of An International Travel Magazine

The Philippines has proven once again that it is still one of the best travel destinations in the world. Recently, several resorts and hotels located in the country were included in the Top Resorts, Islands, and Hotels in this year’s Readers’ Choice Award by Condé Nast Traveler, an international New York-published magazine.

Among the winners were Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Cebu, which ranked 16th out of 25 in the Top Asian Resort Category and Cebu, which ranked 7^th for the Top Islands Category. Pan Pacific Manila (44^th), Makati Shangri-La (67^th), and The Peninsula Manila (98^th) were chosen as three of the Top Hotels in Asia.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand bagged the top spot for Top Asian Resort. Maldives was hailed as Top Island Destination in the Asia – Indian Ocean region and Oberoi Udaivilas, found in Udaipur, India was declared by Condé Nast readers as the Top Hotel in Asia.

According to Condé Nast Traveler Editor in Chief Klara Glowczewska, the Readers’ Choice Award “celebrate[s] the destinations, lodgings, and modes of transportation that manage to exceed our expectations”.

Tracing it roots in 1988, the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards is derived from its Readers' Choice Survey, the largest independent poll of consumers' preferences in the U.S. This year, 32,633 readers participated in the survey. Selected sample of its subscribers were given questionnaires containing a list of candidates. Voters will nominate the resort, island, hotel, city, car rental agencies, and cruise line of their choice. Write-ins were allowed. The candidates that reached a specified minimum number of votes were rated based on a 5-point scale and the results were averaged and tabulated.

The three Philippine hotels were judged based on food/dining, location, overall design, rooms, and service. For the resorts, the criteria used were activities/facilities, food/dining, location, overall design, rooms, and service

Hotels and resorts were sub-categorized based on their location: Europe; Mainland U.S.; Hawaii; Canada; Caribbean; Atlantic Ocean; Mexico, Central and South America; Asia; Middle East; Africa; and Australia and Pacific.

Web Philippines Inc., thanks the following sources:
Costas, Boboi. Cebu Daily News. Condé Nast Magazine's Survey. (Posted November 2, 2008) Retrieved November 16, 2006 from
http://www.cdn.ph/photostore/news_details.php?id=1134
Re posted in INQUIRER.net at
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Condé Nast Traveler: Readers' Choice Awards - Top Resorts. Retrieved November 16, 2006 from
http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice/resorts#asia

Condé Nast Traveler: Readers' Choice Awards - Top Islands (Asia - Indian Ocean). Retrieved November 16, 2006 from
http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice/islands

Condé Nast Traveler: Readers' Choice Awards - Top Hotels (Asia). Retrieved November 16, 2006 from
http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice/hotels#asia

Condé Nast Traveler: Readers' Choice Awards - Methodology. Retrieved November 16, 2006 from
http://www.concierge.com/tools/travelawards/readerschoice/methodology

'Condé Nast' poll rates Plantation Bay as one of the top resorts in Asia. Retrieved November 16, 2006 from
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=415759&publicationSubCategoryId=87

Condé Nast rates Plantation Bay as one of the top resorts in Asia. Retrieved November 16, 2006 from
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/Condé-nast-rates-plantation-bay-one-top-resorts-asia

RP Reads Pinoy in 12th Book Development Month

For the whole month of November, the country, through the National Book Development Board (NBDB) celebrates the 12^th Philippine Book Development Month through series of seminars, forums, and book fairs held in Manila and Cebu City.

Guided by this year’s theme, “Read Pinoy!”, the Board aims to uplift the competitiveness of the local book publishing industry through its creative sector, which could contribute to the economic growth of the country. Moreover, it encourages Filipinos to read Filipino-authored books and learn more about their own culture.

Event highlights include the Marathon Reading of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere; Writers’ Night, which will assist local authors publish their works abroad; poems, essays, and novel reading workshop; and the 27^th National Book Awards held on November 15 at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

All activities in Manila were held at Filipinas Heritage Library Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City. Lectures in Cebu, scheduled from November 28 - 30 will be held at San Carlos University.

Originally, the Philippine Book Development Month is celebrated every June but was moved to November by President Arroyo through Proclamation No. 1436. This is to include the National Book Week in the celebration, which is being held from November 24 – 30.

The 12^th Philippine Book Development Month is in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Filipinas Heritage Library, Ayala Malls, Yuchengco Museum, Manila Bulletin, Cebu Daily News, Anvil Publishing, Fuji Xerox Philippines, University of San Carlos, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., Galerie Joaquin, and National Book Store.

11th Annual Convention Workshop for the Gifted and Talented

In celebration of the National Week for the Gifted and Talented, the Philippine Association for the Gifted urges parents, psychologists, educators, and professionals to join the 11^th Annual Convention-Workshop on November 26 -27, 2008 at the EDSA-Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City and Pocket Full of Kids in Pasig City.

With the theme, “Nurturing Potential Towards Achieving Excellence”, the convention on November 26, 2008 will be held at the Garden Ballroom of EDSA-Shangri-la Hotel. Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dost.gov.ph/) Secretary Estrella Alabastro will give the keynote speech during the event. Doctors and notable personalities will discuss various topics which can enhance the skills of gifted children. Dr. Carmencita Padilla of the Philippine Children's Medical Center will answer the question “Does Genius Run in Families?”, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca, will talk about “Leadership: Nature or Nurture”, and Chess Grand Master Eugene Torre, will discuss “Chess: Gymnasium of the Mind”.

On November 27, 2008, a seminar-workshop will commence at the Pocket Full of Kids, 15^th Floor, Strata 2000 Bldg., Ortigas Center, Pasig City. This will be headed by Dr. Leticia Peñano – Ho, President of the Philippine Association for the Gifted.

For both events, a seminar fee will be charged which includes convention kit, lunch and snacks. Discounted rates apply for early registrants and students. For more information, contact the Philippine Association for the Gifted at 687-1122 or call/text 0915-6800753 or email them at pagifted@yahoo.com.

This event is presented by Promil Pre-School, in cooperation with Smart and MSA Academic Advancement Institute.

Health Aficionados Assemble for Fitness Convention

Health and fitness conscious participants gathered during the 15^th National Fitness Convention held at the Ruby Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila in Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City last October 3-5, 2008.

Guided by the theme, “Fitness in the Age of Change“, the convention featured group exercise, personal training, and fitness management topics that aim to update fitness professionals with the latest trends and studies on staying healthy

Various seminars gave trainers and instructors new insights on how they conduct their training class, which includes choosing more vibrant exercise music, monitoring heart rate, training ethics, membership retention, nutrition and hydration tips and presentation development for trainers.

These topics were discussed by some of the best names in fitness and health. Among those who shared their knowledge are Lluis Noguer, Director of Sport at Club Q in Barcelona; Randy Huntington, former US Olympic Training Center Coordinator (Track and Field); Anthony Peterson, Vice President of International Sales and Marketing at Keiser; and David Velez, International Fitness Presenter for California Fitness.

This event was presented by Fitness Network Philippines and Keiser in cooperation with Gatorade Sports Science Institute, Cybex (http://www.cybexintl.com/), Sport Fit Inc., Walter Sugar-free Wheat Bread, and Business World.

Taiwan Showcase Food and Machinery at WTC

A total of 31 different Taiwanese exhibitors brought their native delicacies, products and machineries to the World Trade Center (WTC) Manila in Pasay City for the Manila Food Show - Taiwan Food & Food Machinery Show 2008 from November 6 – 9, 2008.

Organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council and Taiwan Association of the Philippines, the event aims to boost trade between the two neighboring countries and give the Filipinos easy access to Taiwan food products and machinery which can aid in their business.

Suppliers presented various products like noodle makers, packaging materials, food additives, homogenizers, farming enhancers, crop supplements and others during the fair.

Exhibitors were members of various groups such as Taiwan Confectionery, Biscuit and Floury Food Industry Association, Taiwan Food & Pharmaceutics Machinery Manufacturers' Association, and Taiwan Tea Producers Association.

The Food and Food Machinery Show is sponsored by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs, ROC, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, and Taiwan Overseas Compatriot Affair Commission, ROC.

First Philippine Caregiver Summit

Hundreds of caregivers and students attended the Conference and Expo of the First Philippine Caregiver Summit held simultaneously at the Mandarin Oriental Suites and at the Gateway Mall in Araneta Center, Quezon City last August 29 – 31, 2008.

Organized by Elite Consultancy Services, in partnership with Mandarin Oriental Suites and Gateway Mall, the event carried the theme, “Caring for the Filipino, Caring for the World”. The summit tackled the opportunities and challenges faced by the care giving industry today. It also gave valuable information needed by care givers when seeking for employment abroad.

During the conference held at the Sapphire Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Suites, experts from various fields gave lectures on English proficiency, job opportunities, employment tips, and contract assessment for those who wish to join the caregiving industry.

The event was sponsored by Community Health Education Emergency Rescue Services Foundation Inc., Philam Life, and 9.0 Niner IELTS Review and Tutorial and supported by Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippines News Digest, Amerika Atbp., JobMarket Online, Health and Lifestlye Magazine, Work Abroad, Job1 Global, and Virtual Route Distribution Philippines Corporation.

Actuaries Met in Cagayan de Oro for Riskploration

Actuarial practitioners discussed the current financial crisis and other challenges during the 49th Annual Convention of the Actuarial Society of the Philippines (ASP) held last November 13 – 14, 2008 at the Xavier Sports and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro City.

This year’s theme, Riskploration: Discovering Solutions to Risks, aims to recognize the challenges brought about by the financial turmoil experienced by the global economy in the past months. "Riskploration" is a term coined to summarize their major undertaking as actuaries. It represents the complex and cyclic process of identifying, measuring, presenting key indicators, giving early warnings, and introducing optimal risk management solutions.

Different topics on actuarial science were tackled during the event. Subjects include interest rate risk for financial service companies, social insurance, application of behavioral science to actuarial science, current pressures and growth opportunities in the actuarial profession and others. The two-day event was concluded with the election and induction of the 2009 ASP Officers and Board of Governors. The new Officers and Board of Governors are: Ma. Asuncion Martin, President; Rina Velasques, Vice-President; Joanne dela Cruz, Secretary; Peter Godfrey Darvin, Treasurer; Jocelyn Fadri, Dulce Nevado, Jasper Cheng, Maria Edita Elicano, Sharon Maranan and Orly Manalang, governors.

The 49^th Annual Convention of the ASP was sponsored by Reinsurance Group of America Inc., Munich Re Group and Axis.

Geographic Info Gaining Demand in RP

Geographic information system (GIS) is now gaining the interest of both local and international business groups. This was revealed during the 8^th Philippine ESRI GIS User Conference held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Quezon City Philippines last October 8 – 9 2008.

This year’s theme, “GIS: Innovative Solutions in a Challenged Environment” aptly focuses in introducing how GIS can benefit government and private organizations through location intelligence, thus meeting today’s environment challenges.

GIS, as defined by the Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc.,(ESRI) “integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information”. For business establishments, GIS can assists marketing strategies implemented by the company, particularly in building a new branch of the business. For government, GIS can display data of crime hotspots or earthquake movement and history which are both vital for security and safety purposes.

The two-day event featured technical track session, product display and plenary sessions through the joint effort of Geodata Systems Technologies, Inc., and ESRI organized by Events@Work.

Web Philippines Inc., thanks the following sources
ABS-CBN Global News Demand for Geographic Information Systems growing (Posted October 14, 2008) Retrieved November 4, 2008
http://www.abs-cbnglobal.com/ItoangPinoy/News/GlobalNews/tabid/139/ArticleID/3463/TargetModuleID/515/Default.aspx

Asian Biztimes Geodata appoints MediaG8Way Corp. as media partner for GIS Confab. (Posted September 1, 2008) Retrieved November 4, 2008
http://www.aseanbiztimes.com/viewpage.php?id=68&page=infotech

GIS.com What is GIS? Retrieved November 4, 2008
http://www.gis.com/whatisgis/index.html

GIS.com Why use GIS? Retrieved November 4, 2008
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Valmero, Anna INQUIRER.net RP next hotbed for GIS deployment Retrieved November 4, 2008
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20081009-165514/RP-next-hotbed-for-GIS-deployment

Coop Leaders Gather in Bicolandia Summit

Cooperatives throughout the archipelago met at the Convention Center in Pili, Camarines Sur from October 22 - 25 2008 for the 9^th National Cooperative Summit (NCS).

Organized by the Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC), around 2,000 cooperative heads sought partnership from local and international cooperatives in order to introduce new products and establish trading relations with one another. The summit also discussed the challenges currently faced by cooperatives and searched for the most viable solutions.

According to Mr. Felix Borja, Secretary-General of the Cooperative Union of the Philippines, the theme, “Cooperatives: Breaking Through Barriers and Beyond” is a response to acknowledge and search for solutions regarding the issues cooperatives, both local and international, face today. This goal will become more feasible with the assistance and cooperation of policy makers.

NCS secretary Daniel Ang added that the Summit wishes to give recognition to the achievements made by cooperatives through their innovation in the realm of management, government, and enterprise.

The event was sponsored by Land Bank of the Philippines, Peace and Equity Foundation, Metro South Cooperative Bank, AMKOR Tech Phils Employees Cooperative, Ating Koop Party List, National Cooperative Movement, Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines, National Confederation of Cooperatives, and Nationlink.

Web. Philippines, Inc. thanks its following sources:
Ang Budyong. (Vol. 2 Series 01) In .PDF Format entitled Official Publication of the 9th National Cooperative Summit - March – April 2008 Retrieved October 27, 2008
http://www.philcoopcenter.org/news.html

Manila Bulletin. Coop summit leaders seek policy, program reforms (p. B-11) Published October 21, 2008

Naga City Official Website. Coops to hold national summit in Naga Retrieved October 27, 2008
http://www.naga.gov.ph/journal2/?module=popup&page=2&id=1443

Naga City Official Website. Bicol to host 9^th Nat’l Cooperative Summit Retrieved October 27, 2008
http://www.catanduanestribune.com/NewsArticle/Detail.aspx?newsID=4638

Philippine Star, The.Co-op leaders push 17-pt agenda for development Retrieved October 27, 2008
http://beta.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=409814

Two Luzon Provinces seen as next BPO sites

Two provinces in Luzon are seen as the next venue for outsourcing companies according to a joint ranking made by government and private sector.

This ranking was released by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT); Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry; and Business Process Association of the Philippines.

Metro Laguna, which encompasses Sta.Rosa, Calamba, Los Banos, Cabuyao and San Pablo got the highest ranking while Metro Cavite, representing Dasmarinas, Bacoor, Imus and Cavite City ranked second. Other provinces included in the list are Iloilo, Davao, Bacolod, Angeles-Clark-Mabalacat, Baliuag-Marilao-Meycauayan, Cagayan De Oro, Malolos-Calumpit and Lipa.

Areas such as Baliuag-Marilao-Meycauayan were grouped together due to the proximity of these provinces to each other.

The top 10 provinces are said to have a large pool of talents, land for infrastructure, good business environment and low cost in doing business. These four elements were the basis of the three organizations in ranking the provinces of the country.

Ms. Celeste Ilagan, Executive Director of the Investment Promotion Group of BOI, stated in her interview with ABS-CBN News that the ranking aims to show investors that there are several choices for their business venues aside from Manila and Cebu.

Furthermore, CICT Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III told the press that relocation of BPOs outside the two major cities will boost the economy of the “new wave cities” and provinces and give chance to jobseekers living in these areas to earn higher salaries.

Web. Philippines, Inc. thanks its following sources:
Casiraya, Lawrence. INQUIRER.net. Laguna, Cavite promising areas for BPO Retrieved November 4, 2008
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view/20081103-169982/Laguna-Cavite-promising-areas-for-BPO

CICT News. CICT, BPAP, DTI name Top Ten Next Wave Cities for Outsourcing Retrieved November 4, 2008
http://www.cict.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=194&Itemid=1

Montecillo, Paolo Luis G. Business World. ‘Next wave’ outsourcing centers cited Retrieved November 4, 2008
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Llanto, Jesus F. abs-cbnNEWS.com, Newsbreak Laguna, Cavite top next wave of locations for BPOs Retrieved November 4, 2008
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/03/08/laguna-cavite-top-next-wave-locations-bpos

Empowerment and Human Rights, Main Focus in Second Migration Forum -- (Press Release)

From October 27 to 30, 2008, delegates from all over the world convened for the 2^nd Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Metro Manila.

Guided by the theme, “Protecting and Empowering Migrants for Development”, the agenda of the 2nd Global Forum was based on the findings of the First Global Forum conducted at Brussels, Belgium in July 2007. The Brussels Forum concluded that special emphasis should be given to the protection and empowerment of migrant workers all over the world, placing high importance on the protection of human rights and promotion of regular migration.

The Forum was divided in to two general meetings, namely the Civil Society Days, scheduled from October 27 to 28 and Government Meeting from October 29 to 30.

The event’s roundtable discussions were divided into three topics: Migration, Development, and Human Rights, Secure, Regular Migration can Achieve Stronger Development Impact, and Policy and Institutional Coherence and Partnerships.

The Department of Foreign Affairs acted as lead agency for the Philippine Government for the 2^nd GFMD. Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, Esteban B. Conejos Jr., served as the Special Envoy for GFMD, and the Overall Chairman of the Philippine GFMD Preparatory Committee.

Members of the private sector, academe, and the civil society comprise the Philippine Organizing Committee for the Civil Society Days. These include the Ayala Foundation, Inc., which was enlisted as the secretariat; SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co., Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, University of the Philippines, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos Philippines, Inc. (ERCOF), Migrant Forum in Asia, Manpower Resources of Asia, Inc., and Alliance of Progressive Labor.

The objective of the GFMD is to assemble government officials and experts from all over the world to enhance dialogue, cooperation, and partnership in the areas of migration and development. Moreover, it is intended to mutually identify and solve international migration issues that affect development of countries.

Tourism Heads Focus on Climate, Poverty and Women at International Cebu Forum -- (Press Release)

Representatives from different countries tackled issues on climate change, poverty alleviation, and role of women in tourism at the 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities (ITF-PLA) held last October 22-25, 2008 at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, Cebu.

Delegates from 157 countries attended the biennial Tourism Forum, made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Tourism (DOT), City Government of Cebu, the Philippine Congress, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo during the opening ceremony stated that the ITF-PLA should not only focus on current issues affecting the tourism industry but to attend to the dilemmas that will continue to influence and have an effect on tourism in the years to come. Furthermore, she emphasized to “keep our faith in tourism as a powerful instrument to alleviate poverty.”

UNWTO Secretary General Francesco Frangialli, DOT Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano, and House Representative Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia gave the keynote addresses on Policy and Legislation for Tourism Development.

First held at Cadiz, Spain in 1995, the ITF-PLA assembles tourism heads, representatives and lawmakers from 154 member states and more than 350 affiliate members categorized under Business, Destination, and Education Council.

Web Philippines, Inc. thanks the following:

UN World Tourism Organization. Affiliate Members Directory. Retrieved on October 24, 2008
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Cruz, Irene Sino. Visayas Bureau, INQUIRER.net. International tourism meet seen to boost Cebu, Bohol. Retrieved on October 24, 2008
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Office of the President. PGMA's Speech during the Opening Ceremony of the UN-WTO 6th International Tourism for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities (October 22, 2008). Retrieved on October 24, 2008
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Gov.Ph News. PGMA to open 6th U.N. tourism forum in Cebu Wednesday. Retrieved on October 24, 2008
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