December 26, 2008

DOT Aims at $6.6 B Japanese Wedding Market


The Department of Tourism DOT) has been working to take part in the estimated $6.6 billion Japanese wedding market.

The initial step to tap the Japanese wedding market began last September 18 – 21 when the Department participated in the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA) World Tourism Congress and Travel Fair 2008 held at the Conference Tower of Tokyo Big Sights in Tokyo, Japan.

Based on several published articles, reports from the Japan Tourism Board, Japanese couples who hold their weddings abroad spend an average of ¥1,474,400.00 or $15,930.00 for the entire package. Couples spend an average of ¥566,000 or $6,115.00 for air fare and accommodations and another ¥215,000 or $2,320.00 for their wedding outfits. These couples spend as much as ¥791,000 or $8,550.00 for the wedding details. Most Japanese couples prefer beach and island destinations, making the country a possible venue for their special day.

DOT Secretary Ace Durano has made Cebu as the wedding capital for Japanese couples. Aside from the Queen City of the South, other destinations in the Philippines which include Boracay, Bohol and Davao are being marketed by the Department as a wedding destination.

In response, Dir. Benito Bengzon Jr, head of DOT Team Japan, said, during his interview with the press, "Compared to other countries, the Philippines offers a complete array of quality wedding products and services at a reasonable cost. Our magnificent views and picturesque beaches also offer the perfect mood and setting for weddings.” He adds, “We are certain the Philippines is indeed an attractive and ideal wedding location for Japanese couples; our beach resorts all have the necessary services such as experienced wedding coordinators which effectively caters to the needs of the clients.”

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:


Manila Bulletin. RP wants bigger slice of 6.6 billion Japan wedding market (Posted October 14, 2008) Retrieved December 8, 2008 from
http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/10/14/TOUR20081014137904.html

Philippine Daily Inquirer. RP to get bigger slice of $6.6 billion Japan wedding market (Published November 2, 2008)

Business World. Manila targets Japan’s $6.6-B wedding mart (Vol. XXII, No. 54) p. 6/S1
Posted at GMANews.tv at
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/126150/Manila-targets-Japans-66-B-wedding-mart

December 22, 2008

Tips for a Lucky Wedding in 2009


As 2008 comes to a close, most of us would start consulting Feng Shui experts and clairvoyants about their predictions for 2009. Common questions would be “Will this be a prosperous or difficult year?”, “What are the lucky dates to do business this year?” and others. For couples who are starting to prepare for their wedding, your concern would be “What are the auspicious dates and lucky colors for weddings in 2009?"

LUCKY COLORS
Whether it’s an extravagant celebration or an intimate occasion, you see to it that every detail of your special day is well taken care of. You may want to pay attention to the theme and color motif of your wedding. Based on Feng Shui, colors should produce harmony between the bride (Yin) and the groom (Yang). Furthermore, black, the color of Yin in the Tai-Chi symbol, represents a woman while white, the color of Yang, represents a man. Their respected energies should harmonize with their partner’s energy. To do so, one has to bear his or her opposite color. This is why a man usually wears a black suit and a woman wears a white dress during their wedding.
Yin Yang symbol
Image courtesy of George Maxwell, Wikimedia.org

Aside from personal colors, the color of your environment may affect your relationship in the future. Creating a color palette that conveys a positive energy may contribute to marital happiness. Here are some color combinations and their meanings.

Represents Yin and Yang:
  • Red and Pink
  • Dark Blue and Light Blue
  • Purple and Lavender
  • Dark Green and Light Green
  • Purple and White
Other Combinations:
  • Black and white - male and female, harmony
  • Red and green – happiness, luck and success (Great for Christmas weddings)
  • Yellow (ochre) and red - perfect feng shui pairing for harmony, good social standing, and wealth
  • Metallic colors (white, silver, gray, gold) with yellow - creativity/children
  • Green and blue - prosperity, growth, good health and wealth
  • Blue with metal colors – peace and prosperity
  • Black and green - wealth, growth and longevity
SAVE THE DATE

As for dates, the auspicious dates for weddings depend on several factors. One is your Chinese birth signs, represented by the 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig); the other is the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). 2009 is the Year of the Earth Ox. This year may be advantageous or may be challenging depending on yours and your partner’s birth signs. But generally, here are the fair and lucky dates to get married in 2009.


Lucky Dates

January
January 3, 2009
January 9, 2009
January 15, 2009
January 21, 2009
January 25, 2009
January 28, 2009

February
February 6, 2009
February 15, 2009
February 18, 2009
February 21, 2009
February 27, 2009

March
March 2, 2009
March 16, 2009
March 18, 2009

April
April 6, 2009
April 9, 2009
April 22, 2009

May
May 8, 2009
May 16, 2009
May 20, 2009

June
June 14, 2009
June 19, 2009
June 25, 2009
June 26, 2009

July
July 8, 2009
July 20, 2009
July 26, 2009

August
August 1, 2009
August 2, 2009
August 8, 2009
August 11, 2009
August 14, 2009

September
September 9, 2009
September 20, 2009
September 21, 2009
September 30, 2009

October
October 2, 2009
October 12, 2009
October 25, 2009
October 28, 2009

November
November 15, 2009
November 19, 2009
November 21, 2009

December
December 25, 2009
December 26, 2009
December 28, 2009
December 29, 2009

Fair Days

January
January 1, 2009
January 5, 2009
January 7, 2009
January 10, 2009
January 13, 2009
January 17, 2009
January 19, 2009
January 24, 2009
January 31, 2009

February
February 5, 2009
February 7, 2009
February 9, 2009
February 16, 2009
February 19, 2009

March
March 1, 2009
March 4, 2009
March 6, 2009
March 9, 2009
March 10, 2009
March 13, 2009
March 15, 2009
March 22, 2009
March 25, 2009
March 28, 2009
March 29, 2009

April
April 7, 2009
April 10, 2009
April 13, 2009
April 15, 2009
April 16, 2009
April 17, 2009
April 19, 2009
April 21, 2009
April 26, 2009

May
May 3, 2009
May 7, 2009
May 10, 2009
May 11, 2009
May 15, 2009
May 19, 2009
May 21, 2009
May 22, 2009
May 26, 2009
May 28, 2009
May 29, 2009
May 30, 2009

June
June 2, 2009
June 4, 2009
June 5, 2009
June 7, 2009
June 8, 2009
June 10, 2009
June 11, 2009
June 13, 2009
June 16, 2009
June 22, 2009
June 28, 2009

July
July 4, 2009
July 5, 2009
July 10, 2009
July 14, 2009
July 17, 2009
July 23, 2009
July 30, 2009

August
August 4, 2009
August 9, 2009
August 21, 2009
August 23, 2009
August 26, 2009
August 27, 2009
August 29, 2009
August 30, 2009

September
September 4, 2009
September 10, 2009
September 14, 2009
September 24, 2009
September 26, 2009
September 27, 2009
September 29, 2009

October
October 6, 2009
October 9, 2009
October 14, 2009
October 15, 2009
October 16, 2009
October 22, 2009
October 23, 2009
October 24, 2009
October 27, 2009

November
November 2, 2009
November 5, 2009
November 10, 2009
November 12, 2009
November 18, 2009
November 24, 2009
November 25, 2009
November 30, 2009

December
December 1, 2009
December 5, 2009
December 6, 2009
December 7, 2009
December 10, 2009
December 11, 2009
December 13, 2009
December 15, 2009
December 17, 2009
December 18, 2009
December 23, 2009

Whether aiming for a prosperous or successful marriage, what is important is that you should enjoy your special day. You should choose based on your preferences and what will make you happy. But a few adjustments won’t hurt, especially if it gives out good luck. Congratulations to 2009 weddings!

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:


Weber, Katryn, The Red Lotus Letter Auspicious Wedding Feng Shui: Selecting Wedding Colors for Good Luck. Retrieved December 17, 2008 from
http://www.redlotusconsulting.com/Wedding.html

Tchi, Rodika, About.com Feng Shui Color Guide - How to Use Colors in Feng Shui Retrieved December 17, 2008 from
http://fengshui.about.com/od/fengshuicures/qt/fengshuicolor.htm

Wang, Mike, The Spiritual Feng Shui. Significance of Colors in Feng Shui practice Retrieved December 17, 2008 from
http://www.thespiritualfengshui.com/feng-shui-color.php

Chinese Fortune Calendar.com Find Event Lucky Days - Wedding Day
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/

Tsai, Allen, Chinese Fortune Calendar. Why Yin Yang Symbol Yin Yang looks like this way? Retrieved December 17, 2008 from
http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/YinYang.htm

December 12, 2008

DOT Taps Youth Market via MTV


The Department of Tourism (DOT) has forged a partnership with MTV Networks to attract young travelers around the world to come and experience the Philippines.

MTV Networks’ new “hip contemporary” global campaign – MTV Revelations – set to be launched in February 2009, features 12 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, U.K. and U.S.A.

MTV Revelations will use a series of TV spots featuring MTV VJs who will talk about their personal experiences in these countries. In addition, a variety of web activities, which include MTV's Music Mixer and MTV Video Widgets, synergized with local relevance, will reflect the different style, culture and tone of each country.

The partnership was announced by DOT Secretary Ace Durano and Bill Roedy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MTV Networks International during the World Travel Market held last November 10 -14 at ExCel London.

According to Sec. Durano, as stated in his interview with the press, the partnership is a “strategic fit” because it will enable the Department to reach out to the youth who enjoys a higher disposable income as well as being the most avid travelers of today. "MTV know its demographic best. Its VJs and onscreen personalities, for instance, have the credibility to reach out to the same youth market we are targeting. “Mr. Durano adds.

On the other hand, Mr. Roedy said, “We are delighted that through the international reach of MTV, they can work with the DOT to promote the Philippines to such a targeted youth audience across so many countries."

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:


PR Newswire.com Philippines Department of Tourism Partners with MTV Networks for 2009 Global Campaign (Posted November 10, 2008) Retrieved December 1, 2008
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=ind_focus.story&STORY=/www/story/11-10-2008/0004922183&EDATE
Re-posted (November 12, 2008) by Examiner National at
http://www.examiner.com/p-258752~Philippines_Department_of_Tourism_Partners_with_MTV_Networks_for_2009_Global_Campaign.html

Hein, Kenneth. Brandweek. Philippines Tourism Taps MTV (Posted November 12, 2008) Retrieved December 1, 2008
http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/automotive-travel/e3i4e32a4ca5b3c4e13a34805507a0f0f70
Re-posted (November 12, 2008) by AdWeek at
http://www.adweek.com/aw/content_display/news/account-activity/e3ibfc872c5b952c69b5dfd350149e0f42f