Asian Bird Fair & Philippine Bird Fest

Davao City intensified its bid to become the country’s top eco-tourism destination as it played host to the 1st Asian Bird Fair and 6th Philippine Bird Festival that started September 24 to 26, 2010 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

Davao City is the first Mindanao city that hosted the two-day Philippine Bird Festival, the country’s premier avian conservation and eco-tourism event. Various cities and provinces in Luzon and Visayas, such as Puerto Princesa, Bataan, Cebu and Quezon City, already have hosted the said annual environmental event.

More than 30 foreign and local bird-watching organizations and thousands of students from all over the region participated in the event. Delegates were welcomed with a fiesta-themed dinner hosted by City Mayor Sara Duterte at Matina Town Square.

Activities, such as lectures, exhibits, film showing, workshop, story-telling, and interactive learning included in the event’s activity.

Various talks and presentations on bird-watching were also presented by the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Bird Conservation Nepal, Chinese Wild Bird Federation, Borneo Bird Club, World Wildlife Fund, Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network, Hornbill Research Foundation, Philippine Eagle Foundation, among others. The controversial, Oscar -winning documentary, The Cove, was also shown for the first time in the city.

The festival sought to enrich eco-tourism through bird-watching and promoted the natural and cultural heritage of its host cities. It was also a significant occasion to draw attention to critical environmental preservation issues and find a common ground in protecting the birds in the region.

For further information, contact the Davao Tourism office at (6382)222-1956, telfax (6382)222-1957, email info@davaotourism.com, dabaw_madayaw@yahoo.com or visit the website http://www.davaotourism.com.

7-Eleven Tour 500

In celebration of the opening of their 500th store, 7-Eleven gave back its success to the Filipino community, who has remained faithful and staunch customers since the launch of its first store in 1984, through a special biking tour named the 7-Eleven Tour 500. The tour was held at the 7-Eleven Market Drive in Filinvest Corporation, Alabang last August 8, 2010.

This inspiring advocacy was created to provide a safe and fun venue for biking enthusiasts of all ages (experienced and non-experienced bikers alike) to enjoy the world through two wheels, while helping those in need and the less fortunate by giving back to chosen charities.

Open to all biking enthusiasts who want to enjoy the thrills of riding in a safe environment while helping your chosen charities, the 7-Eleven Tour 500 will commence on August 8, 2010 at 7:30am at the 7. The event was joined by various biking enthusiasts who want to complete their first 60km ride in serene and supportive surroundings, as well as those who wish to test themselves in a competitive environment. The first 37km of the route took riders through Daang Hari, Molino Drive, Paliparan Road and Governor's Drive. There were also choices to turn into Amadeo Road or finish at the Tagaytay Convention Center.

The first placer got P25,000 donated to a charity or NGO of his choice, while the second and third placers got P10,000 and P5,000 donated to their chosen charities, respectively. Proceeds from the biking tour will also go to Bantay Bata.

Ms. Irish Valenzuela, a 24-year-old pride of Asingan, Pangasinan took top honors in the 90.4- km. race from Alabang, Muntinlupa in a time of three hours, 18 minutes and 16 seconds.

For more information on the 7-Eleven Tour 500, contact the Philippine Seven Corporation at (632) 726-9968, (63920) 950-8651 or (63917) 871-1475, email franchising@7-eleven.com.ph or visit www.7-eleven.com.ph.

16th World Forum of the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools World Forum

The Ateneo de Manila University hosted the 16th World Forum of the International Association of Jesuit Business Schools World Forum which was dubbed with the theme Educating Champions of Sustainable Development: Best Practices of our Business Schools. The event was held last July 18 to 20, 2010.

Some highlights of the Forum were a plenary presentation on the UN Global Compact on the Principles for Responsible Management Education, plenary presentation on two panels on University-based initiatives for Sustainable Development: one focusing on Socio-economic initiatives, and another focusing on the Environment, and panel on developing a Values-Based business curriculum.

An AACSB Accreditation Workshop, lead by a panel of Deans and AACSB accreditors who talked about the benefits of accreditation and the steps to take to prepare schools for accreditation, and a Jesuit Alumni Networking Cocktail, a networking event for Philippine-based alumni of Jesuit business schools outside the Philippines, were also held in the said event.

For more details, contact the Ateno de Manila University at (+632)426-6001 or e-mail 16thIAJBSworldforum@admu.edu.ph.

Skyathon Bora Beach and Surf Run

The Skyathon Bora Beach and Surf Run was held last April 24 at the Beach Front of Guilly’s Island in Station 1 in the island of Boracay. The competition gave freedom to runners if they prefer to go barefoot or run in aqua socks when they run in the said in the said island terrains.

Participants also joined the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and Kiwanis Club of Boracay in cleaning up the area after the said competition.

This very special event was organized by Sky Cable and officiated by Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP). Sponsors supporters were Bayan DSL, Gold’s Gym, Second Wind, SEAIR, ACCEL, Alta Vista Hotel, Boracay Regency Hotel, Club Paraw, Cyma Restaurant, Guilly’s Island, Paraiso Grill Lobster House, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary-Boracay, and Kiwanis Club of Boracay.

For more information, contact the Triathlon Association of the Philippines at (632) 710-8259, (63916) 504-6513, (63915) 639-4233, fax (632) 809-2713, 850-5254, email info@triathlon.org.ph, or visit http://www.triathlon.org.ph/