• Palawan’s Underground River is now listed among Ramsar wetlands

    loQal - Thu, Nov 15, 2012

    By Anna ValmeroPUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN—The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in Palawan is now officially listed as an important international wetland by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.The inclusion of the site as Ramsar Site No. 2084 is the fifth site in the country under the Ramsar Convention, a treaty among 163 countries aimed towards the conservation of wetlands. ... More »Palawan’s Underground River is now listed among Ramsar wetlands

  • Sorsogon SMEs benefit from micro-enterprise program

    loQal - Thu, Nov 15, 2012

    By Nikka GarrigaSORSOGON CITY, SORSOGON – From just a simple hobby, Yna Espedido was able to turn her crafts into a means of livelihood for herself and her community.Yna’s Crafts and Clutter, which features handmade products made from various art forms, is among the upstart enterprises that the Rural Micro-Enterprise Promotion Program (RuMEEP) of Sorsogon was able to develop.RuMEEP is a seven-year program assisted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the lead implementing agency. ... More »Sorsogon SMEs benefit from micro-enterprise program

  • Transport show in Manila to focus on energy efficiency and ecotourism

    loQal - Thu, Nov 15, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaQUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA - As part of an ongoing effort to support the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2012, the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) Lakbay, Inc. will organize the first Asia Pacific Tourism and Mobility Conference and Exhibit.With the theme “Saving Lives, Costs, Planet” the event will highlight eco-tourism and energy efficiency in the transport business. ... More »Transport show in Manila to focus on energy efficiency and ecotourism

  • Clay pots help preserve an age-old tradition in this Albay town

    loQal - Thu, Nov 15, 2012

    By Nikka GarrigaTIWI, ALBAY – The art of pottery is a long-standing tradition in the quaint town of Tiwi, and is a skill considered to have been passed on from time immemorial.This is due primarily to its abundant supply of clay and feldspar materials sourced from different barrios and sitios, such as in Bolo and Putsan.Over the years, modern pottery and ceramic-making techniques have been introduced in Tiwi, which consequently caused a decline in the traditional method of doing the craft. ... More »Clay pots help preserve an age-old tradition in this Albay town

  • EDSA traffic inspires entrepreneur to create ‘scribbled’ bracelets

    loQal - Thu, Nov 15, 2012

    By Kaye MangabatMARIKINA CITY, METRO MANILA – Most commuters find daily traffic at EDSA exhausting yet Paula Pioquinto-Dimaano managed to squeeze some inspiration out of it.“I commute everyday going home and I never fail to notice the traffic in EDSA. So I thought of making something out of that experience,” Paula says, referring to the “Scribbled” bracelets she sells under her brand Piesa.The bracelets are made of wires and wrapped with cloth. She can finish a bracelet in about 20 minutes, though depending on how complex the design. ... More »EDSA traffic inspires entrepreneur to create ‘scribbled’ bracelets

  • A call center in prison?Taguig inmates train as agents

    loQal - Tue, Nov 13, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaTAGUIG CITY, METRO MANILA – An information and communications technology (ICT)-based training program has been initiated for detainees in an effort to provide them with the necessary skills that would make them viable workforce upon their release from prison.Incidentally, the IT course being offered is on call center training.The program, ostensibly called BILIB I.T. ... More »A call center in prison?Taguig inmates train as agents

  • Experiencing thewonders of Olango Island in Cebu

    loQal - Tue, Nov 13, 2012

    By Nikka GarrigaPegged as one of Cebu’s main attractions, the island of Olango is flocked by tourists for its vast wildlife and marine reserves.It is situated about five kilometres off Mactan and houses a diverse coastal ecosystem where mangroves, seagrass beds, and offshore coral reefs are found abundant.Olango is likewise considered one of the world's best-known flywaysfor migrating birds, thus making its Wildlife Sanctuary the island's primary highlight. ... More » Experiencing thewonders of Olango Island in Cebu

  • In La Union, go on dessert mode at Halo-Halo de IlokoBalay

    loQal - Tue, Nov 13, 2012

    By Kaye MangabatSAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION – As a kid, Xavier Mercado sold halo-halo, setting up a roadside stall during summer. His love for this all-time favorite Filipino dessert continues now that he owns a restaurant wherein he also expresses his passion for Ilocano cuisine.Halo Halo de IlokoBalay is noted for its halo-halo and is often sought by those visiting San Fernando or those visiting the beaches of nearby San Juan. ... More »In La Union, go on dessert mode at Halo-Halo de IlokoBalay

  • Pinoy expresses love of classic music thru ‘green’ art

    loQal - Tue, Nov 13, 2012

    By Kaye MangabatILAGAN, ISABELA – As an artist, Lucky Salayong first dabbled in painting. But when he discovered he can create something out of junk, sculpture became his passion.“Modernong Musikero” represents Lucky’s kind of art. Describing it as “green” art, it is made from discarded items he bought from a junk shop – including used printer cartridges, faucets tubes and colorful buttons.Putting all these materials took him a month and a half to create a life-size (almost five feet tall) robot playing a violin. It is something colorful and innovative, to say the least. ... More »Pinoy expresses love of classic music thru ‘green’ art

  • Tire firm optimistic on future of motorsports in PH

    loQal - Tue, Nov 13, 2012

    By LoQal.phROSARIO, BATANGAS—Motorsports is expected to gain more support from Filipino enthusiasts ensuring that the sport will continue to grow in the coming years.According to Marc Tagle, general manager for Philippine Allied Enterprises Corporation (PAEC) that distributes Bridgestone tires, although motorsports is expensive, more and more Filipinos are being drawn to the sport.The popularity of televised events, such as F1 racing, is one of the factors that continue to help propagate racing among Filipinos, the executive said. ... More »Tire firm optimistic on future of motorsports in PH

  • A side trip to the Botanical Garden in La Union

    loQal - Mon, Nov 12, 2012

    By Kaye MangabatSAN FERNANDO, LA UNION – If you’re looking for a serene place where you just want to relax while on a trip up north, you might want to visit the Botanical Garden in this city.Situated on a mountain top and about seven kilometers away from the city proper, the garden welcomes visitors with its lush stretch of green plants and trees.Gilbert Duclayan, the caretaker, says locals often go to the garden to take a look at many bonsai and other ornamental plants.Visitors need to pay a modest 20 pesos as entrance fee for the maintenance of the place. ... More »A side trip to the Botanical Garden in La Union

  • Export growth seen to reduce poverty and create more jobs

    loQal - Mon, Nov 12, 2012

    By Anna ValmeroQUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA—The Philippines aims to double its total export revenues to $120 billion by 2016 in its goal to achieve “inclusive growth” under the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.Achieving this target will result to increased local employment, and consequently, a better quality of life for more Filipinos, according to Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) director Senen Perlada.“In sustaining the country’s growth, our export growth rate should be at least at par with our ASEAN neighbors. ... More »Export growth seen to reduce poverty and create more jobs

  • Sorsogon entrepreneur shares her creativity thru ‘paper quilling’

    loQal - Thu, Nov 8, 2012

    By Nikka GarrigaSORSOGON CITY, SORSOGON – Even when she was younger, Katherine Espedido has always been fond of any particular item that is handmade.“I tried almost everything like cross stitching, crocheting, hand painting. You name it and I probably have tried it then,” she says.This is perhaps why it wasn’t difficult for Katherine (or Yna as she is called by her nickname) to start handcrafting all over despite having to momentarily set aside the hobby to focus on raising her own family. ... More »Sorsogon entrepreneur shares her creativity thru ‘paper quilling’

  • NGO promotes role of women in environment protection

    loQal - Thu, Nov 8, 2012

    By Nikka GarrigaSORSOGON CITY, SORSOGON – Even when she was younger, Katherine Espedido has always been fond of any particular item that is handmade.“I tried almost everything like cross stitching, crocheting, hand painting. You name it and I probably have tried it then,” she says.This is perhaps why it wasn’t difficult for Katherine (or Yna as she is called by her nickname) to start handcrafting all over despite having to momentarily set aside the hobby to focus on raising her own family. ... More »NGO promotes role of women in environment protection

  • A view of the beautiful rock formations in Ampere Beach

    loQal - Wed, Nov 7, 2012

    By Kaye MangabatDIPACULAO, AURORA PROVINCE – For many tourists, the beautiful coastline of Ampere is worth a visit whenever one is in Aurora.An hour away from the surfing capital of Baler, one will discover that the long stretch of Ampere Beach is covered by smooth rocks and crushed corals in various colors.Past the huge boulders of rocks, one will see the Okoton Cave. According to locals, they can determine the weather based on the sound produced when the strong Pacific Ocean waves hit the shoreline.If the “explosion” of the waves is louder, this is perceived to bring a harsh weather. ... More »A view of the beautiful rock formations in Ampere Beach

  • For the adventurous tourist, Lamanoc Island beckons

    loQal - Wed, Nov 7, 2012

    By Kaye MangabatANDA, BOHOL – Adventurous tourists go to this town to visit Lamanoc Island.Found in Barangay Adiang, the island is becoming popular because of its beauty and its stories of shamans and pirates from locals.Lamanoc Island is derived from the word “manoc” (fowl), which according to myths, were sacrificed by shamans to supernatural beings living in the island.At present however, the island is visited by adventurous travellers despite the steep slopes that they will need climb to pass through.A rewarding view of a long stretch of mangrove trees can be seen at the top of the hill. ... More »For the adventurous tourist, Lamanoc Island beckons

  • Excited about Windows 8? Get your hands on these new gadgets

    loQal - Wed, Nov 7, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaPASAY CITY, METRO MANILA – The hype behind the launch of Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system in the Philippines is nearly overshadowed by the first-time appearance of several new types of laptops, tablets, and hybrid devices.All of which, of course, run on the newest Microsoft OS. While a few of these devices already made landfall a few weeks before the official Windows 8 local launch, several other manufacturers were able to hold out for a little longer. ... More »Excited about Windows 8? Get your hands on these new gadgets

  • Native Mindanao tribal designs, textiles become ‘haute couture’

    loQal - Wed, Nov 7, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaGENERAL SANTOS CITY, SOCCSKARGEN – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is hoping to increase awareness for local textiles as well as the integration of indigenous designs into fashion.During the recently held 2012 National Science and Technology Week-Mindanao, the DOST Region XII held a “culture fashion show” featuring local materials and clothing designs based on the styles made by the ethnic tribes that live in SOCCSKARGEN.The fashion show, called “Dream Weave”, highlighted the tribes of the T’boli, the B’laan, Bagobo, Higaunon, Manobo, among others. ... More »Native Mindanao tribal designs, textiles become ‘haute couture’

  • Visayas to receive classroom-on-wheels

    loQal - Tue, Nov 6, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaMAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA - As part of a continuing program to provide education to far-flung areas in the Philippines, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) Foundation and the environment group HARIBON Foundation launched a second classroom-on-wheels vehicle, the HARI EcoVan.The customized vehicle is a follow up to the first HARI EcoVan that was launched just last April. Like its predecessor, the second HARI EcoVan is a modified Hyundai H100 truck, customized by Centro Manufacturing Corporation. ... More »Visayas to receive classroom-on-wheels

  • Ethnic dolls show Bukidnon’s ‘hinabol’ weaving tradition

    loQal - Tue, Nov 6, 2012

    By Nikka GarrigaMALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON— Aside from plateaus and summits, this province is also characterized by its weaving tradition called hinabol.Hinabol, in the local dialect, translates to weaving products like bags and place mats using mostly abaca fiber.It is a custom practiced in the tribal communities of Bukidnon since its early years up to present, despite the advent of modernization and technology.Established in 2005, the Bukidnon Bountry Crafts distributes handcrafted products sourced from various local and tribal communities in the province. ... More »Ethnic dolls show Bukidnon’s ‘hinabol’ weaving tradition

  • Hybrid ‘tablet-smartphone’ devices predicted to attract more Pinoy users

    loQal - Wed, Oct 31, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaMAKATI CITY METRO MANILA – So you think your smartphone is high-tech already? There are so-called hybrid devices that combine things you can do with a smartphone and a tablet PC.Such devices are becoming in-demand among Filipino users, according to Globe Telecom.While this type of devices currently serves a very specific usage model, it is expected that it would eventually draw in more users especially those that are interested in using all-in-one devices. ... More »Hybrid ‘tablet-smartphone’ devices predicted to attract more Pinoy users

  • Party-list seeks additional budget for Pinoy scientists

    loQal - Tue, Oct 30, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaQUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA – A lawmaker is requesting the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations to provide P787 million as part of the Republic Act 8439 or the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers for persons in government.In a statement, AGHAM Party-list Representative Angelo Palmones said that the additional appropriations should have been part of the Magna Carta for Scientists, as mandated when it was passed in 1997. ... More »Party-list seeks additional budget for Pinoy scientists

  • Revisiting the hanging coffins of Sagada

    loQal - Tue, Oct 30, 2012

    By Kaye MangabatSAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE- Many visitors go to the Lumiang Burial Cave to take a look at the famous hanging coffins of Sagada.An hour and a half walk from the town square and a troop downhill will lead you to Lumiang. Half-way through your hike, you will already see some of the hanging coffins. A 500-meter walk will lead you to the cave’s mouth. Railings will aid you down to the slippery slope.Expect an eerie feeling and a little discomfort because the entry point of the cave is pitch-black. Locals said the cave is deceptively deep so a light is needed to see what’s inside. ... More »Revisiting the hanging coffins of Sagada

  • Pinoy drivers urged to try 23-point check-up service

    loQal - Tue, Oct 30, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaQUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA - Despite laws on safety, the number of motoring accidents in the Philippines remains high. While many of these are blamed on driver error, a few are due to physical defects on the vehicles primarily due to wear and tear.In an effort to promote driver safety automotive company Suzuki is offering a 23-point check-up service for all its customers, dubbed Suzuki @ Work. The process looks at all the essential parts of a vehicle to ensure that these are fully operation and would not cause any problems especially during operation. ... More »Pinoy drivers urged to try 23-point check-up service

  • More Pinoy gadget users to rely more on ‘cloud’ to run apps, says Acer

    loQal - Mon, Oct 29, 2012

    By Alexander VillafaniaPASIG CITY, METRO MANILA – As Filipinos start becoming more aware of connecting different Internet-capable device, the availability of cloud-based services, particularly storage for important applications and documents is seen to grow.With the growing pervasiveness of cloud computing in the Philippines, computer manufacturer Acer says that cloud services would become an integral application for users who have multiple devices. ... More »More Pinoy gadget users to rely more on ‘cloud’ to run apps, says Acer

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