by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jul 6, 2019 | Travel
Corregidor Island holds historical narratives of war that represents the fight for the country’s freedom. Known as the “Isle of Valor” or “The Rock”, the 358-kilometer island holds more treasures apart from the history carefully preserved in the island.
The Corregidor Foundation (CFI), the Department of Tourism (DOT) through its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA), unveils the new brand of Corregidor … Corregidor Now.
Corregidor Now
Corregidor Now seeks to entice tourists to live and experience Corregidor Island in more ways than one! It invites guests to learn the unique story of Corregidor Island and explore spots around the island that are waiting to be experienced, making it a unique and exciting tourism destination.
With the campaign, they seek to actively promote the island’s various attractions, such as:
- middle-side barracks
- battery grubs
- Pacific war memorial complex
- Cine Corregidor
- Spanish lighthouse
- Japanese garden of peace
- Filipino heroes memorial
- Malinta tunnel, and
- Lorcha dock
Beyond historical relics, the island boasts of a multitude of opportunities for every type of traveler to enjoy biking, bird watching, camping, fishing, hiking, island runabout, and kayaking are just some of the fun activities in the island.
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Corregidor Foundation Inc. Chairperson and CEO Cynthia Carrion in spearheading the new strategic campaign, dubbed “Corregidor Now,” which aims to deliver a stronger and unified voice for the whole island, bringing it to greater heights as a tourist attraction.
“For years, Corregidor Island seemed to be perceived solely as a popular historical site, with its idyllic features unknown to many,” Carrion said. “With our campaign, we hope that it will usher in a new era for this eco-historical location, making it known as a place of sanctuary where one can enjoy a relaxing opportunity to revel in the past.”
This initiative, according to TPB Chief Operating Officer Marie Venus Tan aims to attract more domestic and international tourists to visit Corregidor Island.
In support of this endeavor. TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas said they greatly recognize the island’s historical value and strong tourism potential, which can make it a flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ).
TIEZA is developing a comprehensive master plan for the redevelopment of Corregidor and the proposed rehabilitation of the Corregidor South Dock Pier. Under the marketing campaign, they will implement more proactive promotional efforts in various forms of media to inform the public and entice target markets to visit the island.
With all the tourist destinations in the Philippines, Corregidor Island is the only one where you can truly dive deep into history while enjoying the best of tropical Philippines. it is the picture-perfect showcase of the variety of fun and adventure offered on its land, sea, and air. Carrion invites Filipinos to come together, enjoy, and explore the historical paradise that is the ultimate relaxation and fun adventure sanctuary.
To book a tour or know more about Corregidor, please email in**@******************om.ph or visit www.corregidorisland.com.ph or call +6328233281.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 11, 2018 | Stories
Ayala Museum and Gallery of Prints, with the support of The International Map Collectors Society (IMCoS) and the Philippine Map Collectors Society (PHIMCOS), present the 36th International Map Collectors Society (IMCoS) Symposium on October 15-17, 2018 at the Ayala Museum, Makati City.
For the first time in Southeast Asia, foreign antique map collectors and collectors with their Philippine counterparts will gather in Manila to attend in a series of lectures centered on the role and importance of historical cartography of the Insulae Indiae Orientalis or the East Indies Islands, which reveal the European knowledge of the region as early as the 16th century.
Focused on historical issues and unexplored accounts reflected in the antique maps and prints, the symposium will present papers that will deepen appreciation for these significant documents.
International speakers include Mrs. Martine Chomel Harent, former curator of the Mexico National History Museum, who will talk about the galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco from the Mexican perspective, supported by antique maps that outline the historical trade route.
Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo will discuss the emergence of the Filipino Nation through displayed ancient and manuscript maps, while Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio will share his knowledge about the pivotal role of antique maps in the controversial South China and the West Philippine Sea dispute.
The symposium includes afternoon visits and special viewing of numerous collections of the Ortigas Foundation, Lopez Museum, and the University of Santo Tomas Heritage Library (curated for the Symposium).
Special Exhibit of Rare Philippine Maps
Finally, a special exhibit at the Ayala Museum will showcase antique originals of the maps presented in the lectures, some of which have never been seen in the Philippines. A significant feature of the exhibit is the “MURILLO ROOM”, which will display the largest number of Murillo maps, regarded as the Mother of all Philippine Maps, together in one room, including the famous acquisition of Filipino technology entrepreneur Mel Velasco Velarde.
The Murillo Velarde map of 1734 was drawn by the Jesuit Father Pedro Murillo Velarde with the help of two Filipinos: Francisco Suárez and engraver Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay.
The exhibit will be open to the public ahead of the event from October 9, 2018, until October 14, 2018. It will be temporarily closed during the symposium and will resume on the 18th until the 28thof October.
International Map Collectors’ Society (IMCoS) Philippine representative Rudolf J. H. Lietz, FRGS Curator, Gallery of Prints
IMCoS Philippine representative and 2018 symposium organiser, Mr. Rudolf J. H. Lietz of the Gallery of Prints, who is also the curator of the exhibit states that “I am very happy to present an exhibition of over 150 original maps and prints assembled from the collections lent by presenters from the Philippines and overseas, my personal collection, fellow members of PHIMCOS, the Gallery of Prints.”
The 36th IMCoS Symposium 2018 is a two-part event in Manila and Hong Kong. The Hong Kong part is organized by the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library and runs on Oct 19 to 20.
For more information on The 36th IMCoS Symposium – Manila, please contact us via email: sy*******@*****om.ph or via telephone: (+632) 821-7181 | press 5 on the voice prompt.
You may also visit the website dedicated for this event at https://www.imcos-2018-manila.com, or the official website for IMCoS at https://www.imcos.org and PHIMCOS at https://www.phimcos.org.
Gold sponsors for this event are Aboitiz Foundation and Unionbank. Bronze Sponsors are Mapfre Insular and Alsons Insurance Brokers Corporations, with ANC as official media partner.
Located at the heart of the Makati Central Business District, Ayala Museum boasts a notable collection of archeological artifacts; an impressive selection of trade ceramics from Southeast Asia; and contemporary art. Ayala Museum also initiates partnerships with schools, government offices, malls, and cultural sites in Metro Manila and other regions for its traveling exhibition program on Philippine arts and history.
Established in 1996, The Gallery of Prints is the first and only remaining gallery in the Philippines exclusively dedicated to antique printed material. For more than two decades, GoP has become an internationally renowned specialist in the original historical printed material in the Philippines with emphasis on Filipiniana selections that would date back to the 16th century.
The International Map Collectors Society (IMCoS) with its headquarters in London, UK holds an annual symposium in major international cities on alternating continents, which serves as an opportunity for map collectors and enthusiasts across the globe to gather in one venue, further broadening their perspectives on the significance and impact of historic and important maps from all over the world.
Founded in 2007, the Philippine Map Collectors Society (PHIMCOS) is committed to educating the public about the importance of cartography. PHIMCOS also collaborates with museums, libraries, and universities in the Philippines to provide cartographic education along with information on proper restoration and storage of antique maps and prints.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jun 9, 2017 | Business
While commerce has remained a core function in society, the process and nature of the way people do trade have changed greatly throughout the centuries.
The History of Philippine Trade
In the Philippines, it all started with what we know as barter – a manual exchange of “item for item”, oftentimes without the use of money. Neighboring tribes in the country would use barter to trade items or services of equal value, such as 3 hours of labor for a meal.
Chinese merchants
This changed in the 2nd Century AD, upon the arrival of the Chinese as the first foreign traders in the country. Local products were exchanged for corals, gold, cotton, and pearls, some of which can be considered early forms of currency.
The Arrival of the Spaniards
In 1565, the Spaniards marked their first settlement in Cebu when they sought to acquire a share in the lucrative spice trade. It was during this same period that the Royal Company of the Philippines was abolished, making Manila an open port for global traders. This welcomed business from all corners of the world, dubbing the Philippines as the center for commerce in the East.
Americans land on Leyte
During the American period, a distinct advantage that Filipinos gained was access to education. No longer reserved for the privileged, education and a grasp of the English language propelled even the average Filipino further forward into the trade market, allowing him to sell local crops and goods to foreign bodies.
The Millenial Filipino
photo credit to Philstar.com
Through years of exposure to both local and foreign trade, the modern-day Filipino was born with an entrepreneurial spirit; according to research, millennial entrepreneurs have launched at least twice as many businesses compared to their Baby Booming predecessors.
In fact, 55% of millennials in a local study indicated owning a successful business and reaching financial independence as an important value in their lives. Luckily for this generation, they are equipped with a highly distinct tool that allows them to fulfill their entrepreneurial aspirations – the internet.
The internet has changed the way people live, think, and do business. With the emergence of e-commerce, international trade became possible on an individual level. The definition of a free market has found itself in its truest form, with sellers at liberty to position their own products and pricing, and consumers at free reign to choose what they buy.
Lazada opens in the Philippines
In 2012, e-commerce was made known to the Philippine landscape through the entry of a company named Lazada. In the beginning, Lazada sold goods to Filipinos from its own warehouses. After just a year of operations, however, the business model evolved into a marketplace, inviting third-party brands, retailers, and individuals to sell on the site. Today, the e-commerce giant enjoys market leadership in Philippine e-commerce, with a significant portion of its sales brought in by marketplace deals.
Inanc Balci
A key factor that has allowed Lazada to maintain its position as the market leader is the convenience it provides not just to buyers, but also sellers. It is a one-stop shopping and selling destination that makes it easy for Filipinos to trade across cities, across the archipelago, and even across the globe, all with a few simple clicks. Through this, it may be said that Lazada has paved the way for many Filipinos to fulfill their dreams of entrepreneurship, and reach financial independence.
While competition in the e-commerce playing field is tough, Philippines’ CEO Inanc Balci remains confident of the future. In an interview with Anthony Pangilinan of The Boardroom, Balci states “Lazada will continue evolving. We went from being an e-commerce site, to now an m-commerce (mobile-commerce) site. We will increase the social aspects of it, the assortment, the service, etc.”
“In every way possible, we will continue to evolve the company and be the market leader for years to come. It is one of my life goals to make the Philippines a top e-commerce company in the world”.
About Lazada
Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph) is the Philippines’ largest online shopping mall and is pioneering e-commerce by providing a fast, convenient, and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets, and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion, and sports equipment.
Lazada is continuously striving to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience with multiple payment methods including cash on delivery, extensive warranty commitments, and free returns.
Lazada mobile applications for Android, iPhone, and iPad provide additional convenience to its consumers’ allowing them to shop anywhere, anytime.
For more information, please visit http://www.lazada.com.ph. For updates on Lazada’s latest innovations, as well as activities, contests, and promotions, connect with us via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LazadaPhilippines).
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Mar 8, 2017 | Entertainment
Gateway Gallery celebrated the second year of its “Sining Saysay: Philippine History in Art” exhibit by launching a digital interface that utilizes augmented reality (AR) to recount Philippine history and make it more interesting to an increasingly digital-savvy generation.
On February 22, the Gallery launched “Sining Lakbay: Philippine History in Augmented Reality,” a project that marries art and technology to give visitors a more enhanced experience of its long-term collection.
The event was attended by guests of honor like:
- Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas, president of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation president and vice chairman of the Araneta Center, Inc.
- Manolo Roxas, grandson of Philippine president Manuel L. Roxas
- Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc chairperson Stella Marquez-Araneta
- esteemed painter Betsy Westendorp
- Divina Gracia Pascua, OIC of the Culture and Tourism Affairs Office
- Dinky Soliman, former DSWD secretary
- as well as Binibini queens Nicole Codroves, Jennifer Hammond, and Nichole Manalo
- and 2016 Miss International Kylie Verzosa.
During the event, guests were able to test the AR feature and were encouraged to go around the Gallery to experience it first-hand. Ten DOT-accredited history teachers from various Quezon City schools served as Gallery Guides.
Art and AR
The “Sining Lakbay” project is a product of careful and creative implementation spearheaded by artists, filmmakers, historians, curators, editors, and technology providers.
It aims to be a platform for gallery guests to have a more enriched experience of “Sining Saysay”, a collection of 30 large history paintings that resulted from the collaboration between the University of the Philippines and the Araneta Center.
“Sining Lakbay” also aims to create awareness of history among the youth by appealing to their interest in digital technology.
Watching Philippine History unfold on their devices
To Gallery visitors a more immersive experience, 10 paintings from the collection will “come to life” on their WIFI-enabled digital devices like mobile phones and tablets using the Layar app that can be downloaded for free (on iOS and Android).
Users will then be able to scan the selected paintings on their device to watch the video and hear the narration on chapters of Philippine history.
The videos are accurate historical accounts of events depicted in the paintings. Each video lasts roughly three minutes, with the whole tour lasting about 30 minutes total.
This launch is just the first phase of an even bigger project of making all 30 paintings in the collection AR-enabled.
Gateway Gallery: Here and now
Gateway Gallery opened on November 21, 2014. Its long-term exhibit, “Sining Saysay: Philippine History in Art,” opened to the public on Feb. 18, 2015.
The Sining Saysay artists are:
- Grace Alfonso
- Don Artificio
- Bim Bacaltos
- Adi Baen-Santos
- Grandier Bella
- Angel Cacnio
- Romy Carlos
- Cris Cruz
- Dennis Dasco
- brothers Simkin and Vincent de Pio with their father Gig de Pio
- Neil Doloricon
- Norman Dreo
- Ding Hidalgo
- the late Abdulmari Asia Imao, National Artist for Visual Arts
- Ben Infante
- Junyee
- Aileen Lanuza
- Romy Mananquil
- Norly Meimban
- Jonal Salvosa
- Julius Samson
- Randy Solon
- Michael Velasco
- and Janice Young
In over two years of operations, the Gallery has grown its art collection to 50 artworks donated by various artists. Attendance has also risen to an average of 200 visitors a day in the same period.
Last year, it received an accreditation from the Department of Tourism.
The Gallery will continue to expand its horizons this year, providing artists a home to hone and showcase their craft, and giving the Filipino public a haven of learning and creativity. Projects lined up for this year include:
- the Reading Nook, a mini library for all ages, highlighted by story-telling sessions for kids in partnership with Adarna Publishing;
- and Bravo Weekend, which showcases Filipino culture through music and dance.
With its vision to make arts and culture accessible to ordinary Filipinos, Gateway Gallery will continue programs that introduce arts to young children, holding art workshops for hobbyists, portrait sketching sessions for professional artists, and hosting talks by artists and historians.
Located at the 5th level of the Gateway Tower at the Araneta Center, Gateway Gallery is free to the public and is open Mondays to Sundays from 10am to 7pm. It is supported and managed by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, the CSR arm of the Araneta Group.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Feb 4, 2017 | Advocacy
Philippine Veterans Bank Lauds WWII Heroes, Sets Bataan Freedom Run on Bataan Death March Trail
In time for the 75th Year Anniversary of the Bataan Death March, the Philippine Veterans Bank, together with its partners, once again revisits history by organizing a couple of events to be held in honor of the country’s World War II heroes – the 4th installment of the marathon Bataan Freedom Run, and a new event for running and biking enthusiasts dubbed the Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail.
Bataan Freedom Run on April 2
Slated on April 2, the Bataan Freedom Run will feature a 42-kilometer full marathon, a 21-kilometer half-marathon as well as 10-kilometers, 5-kilometers, and 1-kilometer courses for running aficionados, kids, and pets. As in previous years, the BFR follows the route of the Bataan Death March and will start at Kilometer Zero in Mariveles, Bataan.
Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail for teams on April 10 and 11
image taken from https://cdn-az.allevents.in
This event is for bikers and runners. The Freedom Trail will feature a punishing 160-kilometer run with individual and team relay categories for marathoners as well as similar-distanced bike run. The new event will be held from April 10 – 11 and will cover the Death March route from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac.
Roberto F. de Ocampo – President, Philippine Veterans Bank
“Once again, Philippine Veterans Bank, together with our partners, is putting a segment of our nation’s history into the forefront of our national consciousness with the Bataan Freedom Run and the Freedom Trail,” said PVB Chairman Dr. Roberto F. de Ocampo, OBE.
“These events are not only challenging physically but also mentally to the runners and bikers but they are doing this to honor the World War II veterans who endured and made the ultimate sacrifice during the Death March seventy-five years ago.”
The 75th Anniversary of the Bataan Death March will be celebrated worldwide and the twin events are PVB’s contribution to the worldwide remembrance of this infamous chapter in WWII history.
Since 2014, the Philippine Veterans Bank, its partners, and the Provincial Government of Bataan as well as the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) have held the Bataan Freedom Run in honor of WWII veterans who endured the death march in 1942. With the new Freedom Trail event this year, organizers expect to bring together an estimated 5,000 participants apart from local spectators, mostly from Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac, and in Manila, as well as descendants of the Death March survivors here and abroad.
The Bataan Freedom Run, organized by Without Limits, is presented by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Provincial Government of Bataan, Freeport Area of Bataan Investor Locator Association (FABILA), History Channel Asia, ANC News Channel, and WhenInManila.Com. Proceeds from the Bataan Freedom Run will be used for the maintenance of Death March markers located in Bataan province.
On the other hand, the Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail, also presented by PVB and organized by Without Limits, is also in partnership with PVAO, Capas Freedom March, Automobile Association Philippines (AAP Travel), and the local governments of Mariveles, Bataan; San Fernando, Pampanga; and Capas, Tarlac.
To register and find out more about the Bataan Freedom Run and the Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail, visit http://www.withoutlimits.ph/component/k2/item/66-bfr2017.html.
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Corregidor Foundation Inc. Chairperson and CEO Cynthia Carrion in spearheading the new strategic campaign, dubbed “Corregidor Now,” which aims to deliver a stronger and unified voice for the whole island, bringing it to greater heights as a tourist attraction.
For the first time in Southeast Asia, foreign antique map collectors and collectors with their Philippine counterparts will gather in Manila to attend in a series of lectures centered on the role and importance of historical cartography of the Insulae Indiae Orientalis or the East Indies Islands, which reveal the European knowledge of the region as early as the 16th century.
The 
Founded in 2007, the 
This changed in the 2nd Century AD, upon the arrival of the Chinese as the first foreign traders in the country. Local products were exchanged for corals, gold, cotton, and pearls, some of which can be considered early forms of currency.
Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph) is the Philippines’ largest online shopping mall and is pioneering e-commerce by providing a fast, convenient, and secure online shopping experience combined with an extensive product offering in categories ranging from mobiles & tablets, and consumer electronics to household goods, toys, fashion, and sports equipment.
The event was attended by guests of honor like:
During the event, guests were able to test the AR feature and were encouraged to go around the Gallery to experience it first-hand. Ten DOT-accredited history teachers from various Quezon City schools served as Gallery Guides.
The “Sining Lakbay” project is a product of careful and creative implementation spearheaded by artists, filmmakers, historians, curators, editors, and technology providers.
To Gallery visitors a more immersive experience, 10 paintings from the collection will “come to life” on their WIFI-enabled digital devices like mobile phones and tablets using the Layar app that can be downloaded for free (on iOS and Android).
In time for the 75th Year Anniversary of the Bataan Death March, the Philippine Veterans Bank, together with its partners, once again revisits history by organizing a couple of events to be held in honor of the country’s World War II heroes – the 4th installment of the marathon Bataan Freedom Run, and a new event for running and biking enthusiasts dubbed the Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail.
Since 2014, the Philippine Veterans Bank, its partners, and the Provincial Government of Bataan as well as the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) have held the Bataan Freedom Run in honor of WWII veterans who endured the death march in 1942. With the new Freedom Trail event this year, organizers expect to bring together an estimated 5,000 participants apart from local spectators, mostly from Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac, and in Manila, as well as descendants of the Death March survivors here and abroad.
The Bataan Freedom Run, organized by Without Limits, is presented by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Provincial Government of Bataan, Freeport Area of Bataan Investor Locator Association (FABILA), History Channel Asia, ANC News Channel, and 
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