Aboitiz partners with City Hall, eco group in celebrating Earth Hour 2012

Aboitiz partners with City Hall, eco group in celebrating Earth Hour 2012

The Aboitiz Group is taking its efforts to reduce carbon footprint a step higher by partnering with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Cebu City Government in celebrating Earth Hour 2012.

On March 31, the Aboitiz Group and its partners will join the rest of the country and the world in shutting off lights for an hour, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., as a way to conserve energy and lessen carbon dioxide emissions.

In line with this year’s Earth Hour theme “Uniting Filipinos to Protect the Planet,” the WWF will present a live streaming broadcast of the other Earth Hour activities taking place in Manila and Davao.  It will also show video messages of President Benigno Aquino III and international leaders of WWF.  

Also before lights will be shut off, Earth Hour co-founder Andy Ridley will deliver his keynote message, which will also be shown through live streaming.

Activities in Cebu will kick off with essay-writing and poster-making contests among high school and college students, respectively, at The Persimmon Plus in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.  There will also be an eco-bazaar that will display items from recycled waste and organic food. 

At 5:30 p.m., Aboitiz Group team members and residents of Cebu City’s 80 barangays will walk from the Fuente Osmeña to the Plaza Independencia as their way of supporting global environmental initiatives.

Aboitiz Group President & CEO Erramon Aboitiz will lead Group executives in the shut-off ceremony.  He will be joined by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, Miss Cebu 2012 Pierre Anther Infante and her court, and WWF representatives.

The Aboitiz Group has adopted sustainability as a strategic goal in the operations of its various businesses. Sustainability is striking a balance among People, Planet and Profit. Various activities are being developed across the Group through its five sustainability pillars of Reduce, Reuse/recycle, Rejuvenate nature, Renewable energy and Recharged communities. 


Caption: Erramon Aboitiz, President and CEO of Aboitiz Equity Ventures joined by Ms Cebu 2011, Mia Faridoon during the ceremonial switch off last year held at The Persimmon.
Photo contributed by Danny Ybanez 

Popular Tourist Spots in Cebu City, Philippines

Cebu - called the Queen City of the south. It is the second most important city after Manila. The island of Mactan boast of beautiful beaches, dive spots and 1st class facilities. Other tourist attractions of Cebu are: the Sto. Niño Basilica, Fort San Pedro, the Lapu-lapu shrine and the Sinulog Festival held during January every year. 

Explore Cebu City

Things to Do 

1.Basilica Del Santo Nino

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino Cebu is the oldest Roman Catholic Church of 16th century in Cebu city. Located in the center of the city and is a perfect example of combination of three different architecture styles. The church was built at the exact location where the image of Santo Nino that means the Black Holy Child Jesus was found.

2. Magellan's Cross 

 

 

You should not miss the Magellan’s Cross being the famous landmark in Cebu and having its contribution in the history of the Philippines. This cross was planted as a symbol of the arrival of the Portuguese and Spanish explorers headed by Ferdinand Magellan upon arrival in the city.

3.Taoist Temple

 One of the most beautiful spots of Cebu ....

Up on the hill in which u can take amazing pictures of the Temple and also looking down from temple to Cebu City nice photos to take ... As its not so crowded w tourists, nice spot to enjoy ...

4.Lapu Lapu Monument

 

Just a brief history, after Magellan’s (the Spanish invader) visit with the cross, he came for the 2nd time and this time, he planned to invade the country. Unfortunately, we have Lapu-Lapu, the First Filipino Patriot who showed his love for the country and killed Magellan with his men and the place later known as the Lapu-Lapu Shrine. 

The spot in the Lapu-Lapu Shrine where Magellan was killed by Lapu-Lapu wasn’t hard to find because a tombstone (actually, it’s not that really a tombstone) was built on the actual spot with a plaque of a written history on it. On the wall, at the back of what it seems like a tombstone is a long painting of the fight between the Spaniards and the Filipinos. Lapu-Lapu’s monument is a 66ft bronze standing very tall in the island. When you get to the monument of Lapu-Lapu, you’ll see a fishing village and there’s these Indiana like statues outside that looks like you’re in a Survivor island. 

5.Fort San Pedro 

 

Fort San Pedro is the smallest and oldest Spanish fort in the country. It was built in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and served as the core of Spanish settlement in the Philippines. The fort is triangular in shape, with two sides facing the sea and the third side fronting the land. The two sides facing the sea were defended with artillery and the side with a strong palisade made of wood. There are information walls inside w many old / new photos describing the development and history of Cebu and the Fort ... There is a small Museum in the Fort but not all the times open.

6. Sky Experience Adventure

 

 

5 Reasons to Visit the Sky Experience Adventure

1. Edge Coaster – This interactive ride is the first of its kind in the world. The Edge Coaster moves you around the edge of the tower and tilts at about 55 degrees. At times, you’ll feel like you will literally fall off your seat. Not to worry, though: the rides are provided with joysticks to control the tilt level. The Edge Coasters are definitely not for the faint-hearted but perfect for those who want to defy their fear of heights!
2. Skywalk – Located on floor 37 of the Crown Regency Cebu, the Sky Walk Extreme lets visitors walk along the edge of the tower. Certainly the highlight of the entire Sky Experience Adventure, the Crown Regency is noted as the tallest hotel building in the Cebu. The platform looks intimidating but the management assures safety with a harness that will be securely strapped around you. Wearing the orange jumpsuit and white sneakers, tourists will surely feel their jaws drop with the magnificent scenery provided by the Skywalk. You’ll instantly forget about your fear and just marvel at the view. It becomes both a cheering and thrilling experience.
3. 4D Theater – Tourists are given 4D glasses to experience the full 4D effect of a movie or show. With this kind of technology, you’ll get to experience ultimate adventure with all your senses. Get submerged under the sea, travel back through time when dinosaurs ruled the earth, or get lost in an island and discover the dangers that it brings. The 4D theater undoubtedly adds to even more heart-racing action.
4. Sparkz Restobar – Hungry for more thrilling spectacles or are you just plain hungry? Well, the Sparks Restobar lets you dine with ambience-setting lights and the sounds of live bands on the 37th floor. Feast on sumptuous Asian and internationally-inspired cuisines that are simply delicious. Some packages of heading up to the tower include a dinner buffet while you enjoy the breathtaking view of the city.
5. Vivo Game Zone and Sky Observatory – This three-level playroom makes it perfect for the energetic young ones. Get the kids to enjoy unlimited access to the rainbow-colored playroom. While the children get to mingle with other little ones, step out to the platform and get a hold of a coin-operated telescope and binoculars for a glimpse of the spectacular view of the city and the radiant nightscape. 

Sounds exhilaratingly fun, right? The Sky Experience Adventure is a great addition to the many attractions found in Cebu. Be swept away by pure pleasure in an exciting escape to the tower and get to experience a different level of excitement.

7. Kawasan Falls

 

If anyone can walk around a mall for more than two hours simply window shopping, then walking for 15-30 minutes to reach Kawasan Falls with all its breathtaking scene would be easy and definitely worth it.

Kawasan Falls is a 15-30 minute walk (depends not just on how fast you can walk but on how quick you can get over the beautiful scenery) from Barangay Matutinao, south of Badian. Badian is found at the south of Cebu Province. From Cebu city, you have to travel about 98 kilometers, that’s two and a half to three hour trip. From Badian, that 15-30 minute trek would be through rivers and wooden bridges. An additional treat would be to reach the second drop and enjoy the sights from there and also the spring near the top. This would require another walk through a steep passage. But again, all worth it!

 

8. Sinulog Festival

 

 

Caracteristics of the  festival

The famous Sinulog festival in Cebu City is held every year on the third Sunday of January. The festival is characterized by a  very long parade with many groups of persons dressed in colourful costumes, finding their way through the streets while dancing the Sinulog. To distinguish the festival from the popular Ati-Atihan Festival on Panay island, this festival is characterized by a different dance. This Sinulog dance, is now the traditional and ritual dance in honor of Santo Niño. The dance is accompanied by the sound of the drums:  all the time moving two steps forward followed by one step backward. Though the dance is already very old, the parade  is rather young! 1980 was the first year that the parade was organized.  

The origin 

The Sinulog was already danced by the locals in honor of their wooden statues in the period before the Cebuanos were baptized. Later on, after the image of the famous Santo Niño was brought to Cebu and  the Catholic faith was established in the region, the dance was made a part of the yearly fiesta in honor of the Santo Niño. While dancing, people are shouting  petitions and thanksgivings to the Santo Niño. Shouting is necessary because the pilgrims have to be sure that they will be heard by the Santo Niño.“Pit Señor! Señor Santo Niño, Manoy Kiloy...." The Sinulog became indeed a dance ritual in honor of Santo Niño!

9. Colon Street

 

Colon Street is considered as the first and oldest street in the Philippines. It is located in downtown area of Cebu City, Cebu and has been the witness of so many events that happened during the Spanish settlement. It was named after Cristopher Columbus, a navigator, colonizer, and explorer from Genoa, Italy. The original plan of the town’s design was made by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a Spanish explorer who arrived in the Philippines to constitute a settlement in 1565 on a fleet composed of the vessels San Pedro, San Pablo and San Juan.
Colon Street is still one of the most crowded parts of Cebu. It is an area with a wide variety of commercial sites, such as shopping malls, restaurants, fashion shops and movie theaters. Most of the jeepneys coming from different barangays in Cebu City usually pass by Colon Street which sometimes makes a clogged up traffic.

10. Malacanang de Sugbu

 

The Malacañang sa Sugbo is the official residence of the President of the Philippines in the Visayas region. Located in Cebu City, it is named after the Malacañan Palace (colloquially known as Malacañang), the official residence of the President in the capital city of Manila. The building was originally built in 1910 and previously housed the Bureau of Customs office in the Port of Cebu City. It was restored in 2004 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at a cost of Php 700,000.

 

11. Cebu Provincial Capital

 

The provincial capitol of Cebu is the main building in a compound located along Osmena Boulevard. There is also a building behind the capitol which houses other provincial government offices. The Cebu Provincial Capitol is where the Governor and members of the Board hold their office. An edifice of pre-war vintage which was considered a replica of the American White House.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cagayan Province Attractions

1. The CALLAO CAVES

 

The major tourist attraction of Cagayan Province is caves, in particular, the famous seven chambered Callao Caves, which contain a chapel for those who wish to meditate on these wonders of nature. Other popular caves among the more than 300 that are around the region include Jackpot Cave, San Carlos Cave, Sierra Cave, and the Odessa-Tumbali Cave System.

2. The PALAUI ISLAND

 

Palaui was declared a marine reserve (Category: Protected landscape and seascape) in 1994. A volcanic island, it has a diverse ecosystem of coralline beaches, mangroves, cliffs, springs, waterfalls, rainforest, and endemic flora and fauna. Of which, some species are yet to be named.

Palaui island’s extensive coral reef is perfect for snorkeling and diving. The island is also a perfect site for fishing, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities.

3. The RIO GRANDE DE CAGAYAN

 

 

Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the Philippines' mightiest watercourse - the longest and widest river in the country. Small streams originating from Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra Madre Mountains meet other streams and rivers.

4. The PORTABAGA FALLS

 
PORTABAGA FALLS in Sta. Paxedes is one of the tallest falls in the Province of Cagayan. Approximately fifteen meters in height, it has three drop off points and a big manmade catchbasin for swimming. Sta. Praxedes is 194 kilometers from Tuguegarao and the falls is about 100 meters from the highway. 

5. The BUNTUN BRIDGE

 

THE BUNTUN BRIDGE is 2.5 kilometers from Tuguegarao town proper. Its length, 1.124 kilometers is the longest river bridge in the country and offers an unobstructed view of the Cagayan River. This is the first bridge to span the Cagayan River the other one is the Magapit Suspension Bridge in Lallo. 

6. The MAGAPIT SUSPENSION BRIDGE 

MAGAPIT SUSPENSION BRIDGE is the first of its kind in Asia. It spans the Cagayan River at Lallo and is 0.76 kilometers long. The hanging bridge links the first and second districts of Cagayan going towards the Ilocos Region via the scenic Patapat Road on the Ilocos Norte-Cagayan Inter-Provincial national highway. Travellers can have a good view of the hanging bridge on their way to Aparri. Barangay Magapit in the town of Lallo is about 74 kilometers from Tuguegarao City, one hour travel time on an aircon bus or van and fare is about P100.00 

 

 

10 Must See Places In Ilocos Norte, Philippines

All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it. And here are some beautiful places that found in Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

1. Blue Lagoon or Maira-ira

 It’s a kind of the most beautiful secret beach resort in the northern area.  It was named as Blue lagoon since the sea water is bluish and its stillness can really be witnessed.

2. Bangui Windmills

 

The Bangui farm is usually stated as the first wind farm in the Philippines and the largest in Southeast Asia (no other country in SEA has the wind potential of typhoon-ravaged Philippines). Europeans are sick and tired of seeing windmills but in the Philippines where these tall, sleek, and white towers of power and beauty are still a novelty, the Bangui windmills are a veritable tourist spot in this otherwise unremarkable Ilocos Norte town.

3. Saud Beach Pagudpud

 

Saud Beach has been hailed as the "Boracay" of Northern Philippines. Since it boast of beautiful white beach backed by rows of coconut palms minus the noise and nightlife of Boracay. In fact you can call it either serene or boring depends on how you want to look at it. 

4. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse 

                           One of the Oldest and Most Visited Spanish Lighthouse in Ilocos Norte.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse - This is the fantastic facade of the Caoe Bojeador also known as Burgos Lighthouse. This is a perfect portrait place and I must admit that for heritage places, we need to turn to the experts at Heritage Conservation Society to accurately describe its beauty.

 

The view from the tower of the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse

You must be wondering what is the big deal with this lighthouse? This magnificent view of the jagged coastline facing the South China sea awaits anymore who patiently waits their turn to go up the lighthouse. You can also opt to go here to view the magnificent sunset in Ilocos Norte!

5. Fort Ilocandia 

 

 Fort Ilocandia - is the only rated hotel in the Ilocos Norte Region. This was originally constructed by the Marcos Family for their daughter Irene’s wedding reception. This spanish inspired resort mainly attracts taiwanese gamblers but it still never fails to charm the first-time Filipino tourist. It is best suited for hosting conferences and events but it could be quite expensive to stay here for your family’s vacation or use it just as a stopover. If you decide to stay here, might as well maximize the facilities and even walk to the famous Sand Dunes of Suba.

6. Sand Dunes of Suba

PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE – If you think you’ve seen the best of Ilocos, you’re probably missing a lot if you haven’t experienced a sunset (or sunrise) yet in the majestic sand dunes of Suba. Ilocos Norte’s unique sand dunes and stretches from the municipality of Currimao in the north and winds it’s way to La Paz in Laoag City then to Suba in Paoay and finally in Pasuquin in the south.

7. Paoay Church 

 

St. Augustine Church, or more popularly called Paoay Church, in Ilocos Norte is one of the the oldest churches in the Philippines and is among the major attractions of the province. The Paoay Church in particular is famous for its distinctive Gothic, Baroque and Oriental architecture. Its facade reveals Gothic affinity, its gables show Chinese elements, while the niches topping the walls suggest Javanese influence (reminiscent of the famous Boroboudur Temple).

8. Patapat Viaduct

 

The now famous Viaduct snakes around the coast at the foot of the North Cordillera Mountain Range. This concrete winding viaduct is 1.2 km in length and is also known as the Viaduct, and as it has a cousin in France its also known as the French Riviera of the Northern Philippines. As you traverse the bridge you pass the Mabugabog Falls that is the water power for the mini hydroelectric plant. When its been very wet and raining the falls are spectacular to watch.

9. Vigan

 Vigan – is an island, which used to be detached from the mainland by three rivers – the great Abra River, the Mestizo River and the Govantes River. It is unique among the Philippine towns because it is the country’s most extensive and only surviving historic city that dates back to the 15th century Spanish colonial period. The town of Vigan will let you experience the time in the past since it is a well-preserved Spanish Colonial Town with small rounded paving stone edges along its street.

10. Chavit Singson’s Baluarte Zoo @ Vigan

 

Baluarte is becoming famous stopover for tourists visiting Vigan where people can see and interact with animals on display at the Chavit Singson's mansion cum mini-zoo, with animal interaction scheduled everyday with several wild animals.