Spark Samar!

Samar province is located in Samar island in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) which is composed of three provinces namely: Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. Sometimes, it is called Western Samar but a law states that it shall onlyt be called Samar. Its capital is Catbalogan City and is represented by two representatives in Congress.

Samar is home to one of the most diverse flora and fauna in the Philippines. It is home to several endemic species that can only be found in the forests of the province. It is also my home having been born in Catbalogan.

The province is blessed with natural resources that are for the books. Part of the Samar Natural Park is in Samar. The said park encompasses the three Samar provinces and is very much protected.

The Sohoton Natural Park in Basey and the Lulugayan Falls in Calbiga are must-see places when you visit the province. Bills are in place in the House of Representatives to also protect these natural tourism areas.

Aside from the sea water that abound, there are also inland rivers and rapids which is enticing to extreme sports lovers. So far, these areas are well-maintained and the crystal clear water can attest to the good maintenance made by the local government units.

Education is very important to the people of the Samar. Several educational institutions cater to the youth. Samar State University has several campuses in the province. Other government schools are also in the other cities and municipalities of Samar as well as private schools such as Samar College.

Samar can be reached through the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City or through the Calbayog City Airport. Most of its people take the bus from Metro Manila. With the Spark Samar campaign initiated by the provincial government, other tourists from the different provinces take the bus from nearby Mindanao and other Visayas provinces. There are also ferries that ply the Calbayog-Cebu route.

For years, Samar has struggled to be a major player in the country's tourism industry. In a few years, Samar will be in the mainstream of tourist attractions that the Philippines can offer. As a Samarnon, I just hope that tourism will not spoil our beloved province. It's time for Samar to SPARK!

A Visit to Budapest is One for the Books

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. The country was part of the eastern European bloc which were once under communist rule. Budapest is the pride of Hungary. It is one of the must-see cities in Europe.

Budapest is divided into two by the Danube River. Buda is the hilly side of the city where the Trinity Square is located. The hill is where you can best view Pest which is the flat side of the city.

Despite the modern times, the city has maintained its charm which is very European. Old structures are still up and there are laws to protect them. Business signages can only be installed outside the buildings with no alterations to the actual structures allowed.

But, of course, Budapest has its own share of modernity. High rises as well as installation-like structures have sprung up in the city. Mostly, they are residential and business buildings located in the outskirts.

The parliament is a major site and sight in Budapest. Museums, churches, monuments and other historical places are also worth visiting. These are the places most admired by tourists. Mind you, tourists are regular sights in the city.

Budapest is one city where culture meets modernity. It is where you can see historical sites and, afterwards, enjoy shopping in stores nearby. Hillside or plainview, the city looks like another living museum as in other city in Europe.

Budapest is within a landlocked country and can accessed via plane or by land or by train. Never have I ever imagined that I will be able to go this part of the world.

Thank you to our sponsor, the Santos family of Vienna, for this unexpected trip. For me, it's one for the books.

Kuala Lumpur: At Malaysia's Front

Among Filipinos, Kuala Lumpur is not as popular as Bangkok, Hong Kong or Singapore in terms of places to visit in Asia. But the city has a lot to offer. Plus the fact that it is as reasonable as Bangkok for shopping.

For years now, hotels and other accommodations have sprung up and are creating a skyline that is distinctly Kuala Lumpur. The rates are reasonable and are tourist-friendly since people speak English very well.

Aside from the Petronas Twin Towers, other places worth vising are the KL Tower where a revolving restaurant is located and the Istana Negara Royal Palace which is situated at the center of the city. Kuala Lumpur offers tourists a hop on, hop off city tour wherein you can take a bus for a fee and goes around the city having stops in different tourist spots including the aforementoned. It is a way of knowing the city and its people.

Kuala Lumpur has an effective train system which made me envious. All the lines are interconnected and you will only have to pay once even if it requires you to transfer from one line to another. It goes around the city as well as nearby towns and cities.

Of course, a trip to Kuala Lumpur will not be complete with the usual shopping. Shops that cater to all types of tourists abound. There are popular brand stores and there are also cheap bargains which you don't see in our country.

Recently, Kuala Lumpur has become a gastronomic area with the emergence of restaurants and street food kiosks especially in Jalan Alor. Years ago, in one of trips to the city, there were just cheap restaurants in the area. Now, it is a very popular food area for the locals and tourists alike. Malaysian good as well as menu from other Asian countries are offered.

In recent years, traffic has become a problem is Kuala Lumpur. Being a melting pot of the people from the different states of Malaysia, population of the city has immensely increased. Good thing that it has an effective transport system. The trains, buses, taxis and grab are all over. Having visited Kuala Lumpur for many times, the best way to go around the city is still by foot. There are a lot to discover in this quaint city in Southeast Asia.

From the Philippines, Kuala Lumpur can be reached via the three major Philippine-based airlines. Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia Berhad also ply the route.

I don't know what makes Kuala Lumpur special to me but my passports show that I have visited the city so many times through the years and I will keep going back.

Catwalk Philippines Modelling Competition

Catwalk Philippines Modelling Competition is a project of the Designers Circle Philippines. It mainly aims to discover new talents in the field of modelling. Now on its 2nd year, it will be held on September 23, 2019 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Taguig City at 1:00 p.m. It will be part of the calendar of Philippine Fashion Revolution.

Last year's winners, John Paul Smith and Eloisa Jauod, are now doing their respective stints in the world of fashion. They bested 38 other hopefuls in their respective categories.

Since the main organizer is the Designers Circle Philippines, the winners as well as the other candidates are assured of exposure since DCP has a big number of members to its roster.

Catwalk Philippines hopes that their alumni would become top ramp models, commercial talents, showbiz personalities, event hosts and beauty queens. The modelling competition will be a good training ground to hone the talents of its models.

Initial screenings will be held at the Lynn Bentsen Fashion and Talent Academy, 2nd Floor, Hemady Square, E. Rodriguez Ave. corner Hemday St., Quezon City on the following dates:
July 19 (Friday), 20 (Saturday) & 21 (Sunday)                 1-5pm
August 2 (Friday) & 3 (Saturday)                                      1-5pm
August 4 (Sunday)                                                             9am-12noon

Swimsuit and pictures are required.

Philippine Fashion Revolution

Philippine Fashion Revolution is a brainchild of former model-turned producer Lynn Roxas-Bentsen. She hails from the Bicol region and is now based in Norway since she married her husband Ove Bentsen.

Lynn came up with idea of having a fashion event that will push the use of indigenous Philippine materials for them to become part of mainstream fashion. It is not in competition with other fashion events. Philippine Fashion Revolution aims to revolutionize Philippine fashion by infusing local garments with regular textiles. In a way, this is to promote Philippine fashion as well as help in giving income to workers in the countryside. When there is a demand for something, there should be supply. When supply is needed, jobs will be created and small-scale entrepreneurs will have steady income. Eventually, there will be ease in the lives of the weavers in the different regions in the country. For Lynn, this is her way of giving back to the industry that blessed her when she was still active in modelling. She has no other purpose but just to promote Philippine weaves and bring them to fore.

Since she established the Lynn Bentsen Fashion and Talent Academy located in E. Rodriguez Ave., Quezon City, she thought of another purpose hence, Philippine Fashion Revolution was conceptualized.

The 2-day event shall be held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura, Taguig City on September 22 and 23, 2019 to be participated in by more than 90 designers from all over the Philippines. There will be free invitations to be distributed to the designers. There will be no selling to tickets. Everyone is invited.