RP Hailed as Asia's Most Popular Destination in World Trade Fair 2009

In the advent of wedding destination, the Philippines has just given soon-to-wed couples from all over the world a better reason why they should hold their special day here. More than its beautiful churches, beaches and sceneries, professional local wedding suppliers, and popular wedding culture, the country has recently been named as the most popular destination in Asia at this year's World Travel Fair (WTF) in Shanghai, China.

Held last April 9 – 11, 2009 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, the Philippines was recognized as the most popular destination in Asia after a public vote and an evaluation process done by professional jurors from the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration and VNU Exhibitions Europe.

In a statement released by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano attributed the win to the country's competitive tour pricing, the remarkable progress of the transportation sector, and the Filipino's friendliness and hospitality to visitors.

Furthermore, Sec. Durano said, “the Philippines is one of the fastest growing destinations in China’s outbound travel industry, recording a 74% month-on-month growth rate in visa issuances for February of this year. We are also the nearest tropical beach country for the Chinese, as Manila is only 2 hours away from Guangzhou, while Cebu is only 3 hours away from Shanghai.”

DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. added that during last year’s World Trade Fair, the Philippines garnered the Best Leisure Destination for Boracay; Top 10 Island Getaways for Chinese Summer Travel for Bohol; the only Asian entry in the list of premier destinations in the acclaimed World Traveller Magazine; and Top 10 Most Searched Destination among Shanghai online users in Baidu, the biggest search engine in China.

Ms. Arlene Alipio, head of DOT Team China, disclosed that the outbound travel of China has been profitable for the country. Ms. Alipio cited that recent statistics from the China National Tourism Administration shows that the number of Chinese travelers reached 34.4 million in the first nine months of 2009.

Meanwhile, Turkey was awarded as The Best Leisure Tour Destination while Switzerland was hailed as the Most Popular Tourism Destination in Europe.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:
Department of Tourism. RP is Asia’s Most Popular Destination, Makes mark in World Travel Fair 2009 (Posted April 17, 2009) Retrieved April 18, 2009 from
http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph/news/news2.asp?id=560

Philippine News Agency. RP: Asia's most popular destination. (Posted April 17, 2009) Retrieved April 18, 2009 from
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?&sid=6&pfn=199182&arch=1&go=Go&search_arch=destination&andor=and&mdte_arch=4&ddte_arch=19&ydte_arch=2009

Manila Bulletin. RP is Asia’s Most Popular Destination. (Posted April 18, 2009) Retrieved April 18, 2009 from
http://mb.com.ph/articles/202838/rp-asia-s-most-popular-destination

ABS-CBN News. RP most popular destination in Asia. (Posted April 18, 2009) Retrieved April 18, 2009 from
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/04/18/09/rp-most-popular-destination-asia

Travel Biz Monitor. World Travel Fair names Philippines ‘most popular destination in Asia. (Posted April 18, 2009) Retrieved April 18, 2009 from
http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/world-travel-fair-names-philippines-most-popular-destination-in-asia-6112

Goode News Pilipinas. RP is voted Asia’s most popular destination (Posted April 19, 2009) Retrieved April 19, 2009 from
http://goodnewspilipinas.com/wp/?p=5032

FCAP Cooks up its 6th Taste of Manila

Soon-to-wed couples, foodies, and guests are in for a sumptuous treat this May 8 to 10, 2009 as the Food Caterers Association of the Philippines (FCAP) holds its annual Taste of Manila 2009 at the Megatrade Hall 2 of SM Megamall.

Now on its sixth year, Taste of Manila 2009 is a collaboration of the country’s leading food caterers, restaurateurs and canteen/food concessionaires. The event will present creative best table set- ups, sumptuous buffet, fashion show for the uniforms of their service crew, edible flower for salads and main courses, entertainment, and food tasting.

On May 8-9, 2009, Taste of Manila will highlight wedding set up and menu. On the other hand, the last day of the event will serve as FCAP’s Mothers Day celebration; with activities such as make-over for moms, pottery, painting, and a fashion show of wedding gowns and party outfits. Mothers and their families will be serenaded by a string chamber.

Last year, Taste of Manila generated a large attendance of over 13,000 in three days. This year will surely be bubbling with more exciting food presentation styles and buffet set-ups.

The Taste of Manila 2009 is supported by Manila Bulletin, KLG International, Inc., Kasal.com, and Evian. For more information, contact FCAP at (632) 371-4830, 410-0394, 0916-1400351 or 0908-4162730.

Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos Has Tied the Knot

After months filled with anticipation, celebrity couple Ryan Agoncillo (real name Kristoffer Ryan Agoncillo) and Judy Ann Santos (real name Judy Anne Lumagui Santos) has said their ‘I do’s’ today, April 28, 2009 in a private wedding somewhere in Southern Luzon. The wedding ceremony took place at San Juan Nepomuceno Church in San Juan, Batangas.

According to the article posted at ABS-CBNNews.com, the newlyweds decided to hold their wedding early morning to signify the new start of their relationship as husband and wife. Fr. Tito Caluag served as the celebrant of the Agoncillo-Santos wedding. The report also stated that several showbiz personalities were present in the wedding including Senator Francis Pangilinan, Sharon Cuneta and daughter KC Concepcion, GMA-7 Morning show host Suzy Entrata and husband Paolo Abrera, singer-couple Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid, and directors Joyce Bernal and Rory Quintos.

For the past few weeks, showbiz news reports have released ‘official’ wedding dates of the Ryan Agoncillo-Judy Ann Santos wedding. Showbiz news columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal, in her article yesterday at the Philippine Daily Inquirer stated that the two were bound to tie the knot on May 2, 2009, a Saturday. Carvajal’s undisclosed source said that Ogie Alcasid and Agot Isidro will sing at the wedding rites and the reception is set at Le Souffle in Rockwell Makati.

In their recent interview with the press, the newlyweds have requested to let their wedding be a private event. Close friends and relatives of Ryan and Judy Ann kept mum on the wedding details, especially Judy Ann’s mother, Carol Santos.

Ryan proposed to Judy Ann on her 30th birthday celebration held last May 11, 2008 at the Antulang Beach Resort in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

The two plans to spend their honeymoon in Mexico. Last year, the couple disclosed that they plan to put up a house before they get married.

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Kasal.com thanks the following sources for this article:

ABS-CBNNews. Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo tie the knot. (Posted April 28, 2009) Retrieved April 28, 2009 from
http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/04/28/09/judy-ann-santos-and-ryan-agoncillo-tie-knot

Inquirer.net. Juday and Ryan Agoncillo say 'I do' (Posted April 28, 2009) Retrieved April 28, 2009 from
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090428-201875/Juday-and-Ryan-Agoncillo-say-I-do

Santiago, Erwin, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo tie the knot this morning.
http://www.pep.ph/news/21609/Judy-Ann-Santos-and-Ryan-Agoncillo-tie-the-knot-this-morning

Carvajal, Dolly Anne, Philippine Daily Inquirer. Tagaytay wedding for Judy Ann, Ryan (Posted April 27, 2009) Retrieved April 28, 2009 from
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080512-136068/Judy-Ann-Santos-Ryan-Agoncillo-officially-engaged--source

Franco, Bernie, Showbuzz, ABS-CBN.com. Showbiz personalities support Judy Ann Santos’s request for a private wedding Posted April 26, 2009) Retrieved April 28, 2009 from
http://www.abs-cbn.com/Feature/Article/3238/Showbiz-personalities-support-Judy-Ann-Santos-s-request-for-a-private-wedding.aspx

Almo, Nerisa, Philippine Entertainment Portal. Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo confirm their engagement in "YES!" (Posted June 18, 2008) Retrieved April 28, 2009 from
http://www.pep.ph/news/17939/Judy-Ann-Santos-and-Ryan-Agoncillo-confirm-their-engagement-in-YES!
Re-posted by GMANews.tv at
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/102060/Judy-Ann-Ryan-confirm-their-engagement

Philippines Became First Host of World Health Tourism Congress in Asia

In the effort to place the country as the premier health and wellness tourism destination in Asia, the Philippines was the first country in Asia Pacific to host the World Health Tourism Congress held last March 26 – 28, 2009 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

Organized by Aura International, in partnership with the Department of Tourism http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph, the World Health Tourism Congress is an exclusive congress where buyers and vendors of medical and wellbeing services have the opportunity to interact in a one-to-one meeting format as well as during workshops and informal gatherings.

During the event, corporate buyers, or those who decide when and where to send their citizens, client, and employees for medical travel, had the chance to meet up with solution providers, which consists of spas, hotel, medical center, and clinics, and forged partnerships in order to find cost effective institutions which can deliver the needs of their clients seeking medical attention. Also, participants were introduced to the latest news and updates about the health and tourism industry.

The first annual was hosted in Germany last May 25 – 27, 2006, the Second annual was hosted in Cyprus last March 23 – 25, 2007 and the Third annual was hosted in Spain last April 4 - 6, 2008.

The 4th World Health Tourism Congress is sponsored by the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (Asian Hospital and Medical Center, The Medical City, Health and Leisure - Medical Tourism Integrator, Makati Medical Center, Asian Eye Institute, Philippine Retirement Authority, Manila Doctors Hospital, Capitol Medical Center, Tagaytay Hospital and Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, and St. Francis Cabrini M.Cat), Prince Court Medical Centre, Cyprus Tourism Organization, Cebu Health and Wellness Council Inc., Jayan International, Parkway Holdings, Singapore Medicine, Take Care, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Bellevue Medical Center, ARDI Health Services Inc., Kliniken des Bezirks Oberbayern, Zulu Kingdom, and Discovery Suites.