Mention Batangas province and immediately Taal Volcano comes to mind. This is so because Taal Volcano is one of the top tourist drawers of Batangas aside from the  beaches of San Juan, Calatagan, and Nasugbu. And because Batangas is just 3 to 4-hour drive from Manila, it has the third largest tourist arrivals in the Calabarzon (Calamba-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) region in 2014, after Quezon and Laguna. The whole region last year attracted 15 million tourists, who spent an average of P1,000 a day for food, transportation, and souvenir, based on DOT estimates. To further spur tourism in Region IV-A, the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) c onstructed a 4.6-kilometer Taal Lake Circumferential Road in Agoncillo which is part of a 122.9-kilometer road project for Batangas under the government’s Convergence Program on Enhancing Tourism Access. The DOT and the DPWH officially turned over the roa...

Christmas is not just a celebration, but an experience.A truly magical experience that needs to be found. Each and every one of us has a certain charmed moment during the holidays, a certain mystique that no one else can experience. Kids and kids-at-heart are expected to enjoy an enchanting Christmas at all SM malls nationwide starting this weekend, November 6 to 8, with well-loved cartoon and toy characters joining the launch revelries of SM’s Grand Christmas celebration.  Festivities start at SM North EDSA on November 6, where all-time favorite Disney characters were present during the launch of “A Season of Magic”. To make the event more meaningful, children from a selected beneficiary were given a chance to personally meet Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and had a first peek at the main attraction – the Disney Village. A medley of favorite Disney songs was performed by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir. Thr...

Christmas is not just a celebration, but an experience.A truly magical experience that needs to be found. Each and every one of us has a certain charmed moment during the holidays, a certain mystique that no one else can experience. Kids and kids-at-heart are expected to enjoy an enchanting Christmas at all SM malls nationwide starting this weekend, November 6 to 8, with well-loved cartoon and toy characters joining the launch revelries of SM’s Grand Christmas celebration.  Festivities start at SM North EDSA on November 6, where all-time favorite Disney characters were present during the launch of “A Season of Magic”. To make the event more meaningful, children from a selected beneficiary were given a chance to personally meet Disney characters Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, and had a first peek at the main attraction – the Disney Village. A medley of favorite Disney songs was performed by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir. Through...

Atty. Persida Acosta (center) together with PAO legal eagle's team, defending Victims and relatives of MV Princess of the Stars in CEBU RTC BR.16:  Attys. Rev Dacpano, Howard Areza, Arman Cavalida, and G-ree Calinawan, Gariando. “Hindi natutulog ang Diyos,” ito ang madalas sambitin ng masipag at butihing abogado ng Public  Attorneys Office (PAO) na si Atty. Persida Acosta. Sa dami kasi ng indigent at high-profile cases na hinahawakan ng ahensya, palaging naitatanong sa kanya kung paano nya mina-manage ang lahat. Nitong October 14 ay dumating ang magandang balita para sa mga biktima ng MV Princess of the Stars. Isa itong kaso laban sa Sulpicio Lines na pitong taon na hinahawakan ng PAO office. For more details, please see related post: http://mlrgarcia.blogspot.com/2014/09/special-report-paigtingin-ang.html Narito ang summary of decision na ipinadala sa amin ni PAO Chief Acosta:              ...

According to the   World Health Organization , breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year and affecting countries at all levels of modernization. But there is good news. The world-wide agency have seen a gradual reduction in female breast cancer incidence rates among women aged 50 and older. Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, in part to better due to screening and   early detection , increased awareness, and continually improving   treatment   options, according to WHO. What Is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. The damaged cells can invade surrounding tissue, but with   early detection   and   treatment , most people continue a normal life. “Every time we talk about breast cancer, we always see negative statistics. The thing is, it’s curable. So...

The second edition of  Tunog Natin: Songs From Home  has been released in celebration of  Avida Land Corporation's   25 years of inspiring possibilities, as it pays homage to the nation through music that connects us all. The album  is Avida’s contribution in promoting local music. It features renditions of popular OPMs from Jim Paredes, Bloomfields,  Johnnoy Danao, Moira Dela Torre, and  Princess Velasco, together with aspiring artists. It also includes Avida’s anniversary soundtrack “Home is Here”, which is an original composition sung by Danao. Avida’s Marketing Head Tess Tatco said that this project is in line with the company’s ongoing advocacy to “keep the Filipino heritage alive,” and bring back OPM to the public's consciousness.  “We’re always, you know, a supporter of any Filipino talent may it be in types of cuisine or music.” Tess, who also served as the executive producer of the commemorative album, said during the ...

Cheese Ramen: Miso-based soup with moyashi, corn, ajitsuke tamago, topped with a mound of minced pork and grated cheese How do you eat ramen? Which do you eat first, the noodles or the soup? According to a Japanese friend, either is fine, but tasting the soup first is highly recommended. Put some of the broth in the “renge” (a special spoon used for soups) and taste it. With your mouth still warm from the soup, grab some noodles with your chopsticks and give them a taste. When eating the noodles, she said, don’t worry about slurping! It’s not a problem and is even encouraged! Taking in air while slurping up noodles into your mouth is good for eating ramen. This is called “susuru.” It’s a little difficult to master at first, but learn this technique, and you’ll be that much closer to the authentic Japanese way of eating ramen. If you’ve eaten all the noodles and are still not full, empty out the bowl by drinking the rest of the soup. Then say “Gochisousamadeshita,” a tra...