But this time, Jackson’s longtime choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid taught the inmates the “Drill” and “They Don’t Really Care About Us” routines.

The video of the Cebu Dancing Inmates with Payne and co. will be a special feature in the Blu-Ray and DVD copies of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It.”

Watch the Cebu dancing dance to Michael Jackson’s This Is It. This is really amazing!

The country has welcomed more than 100 Foreign Buyers from all over the world for the recently concluded Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) Buyer Invitational Program. Dubbed as I Travel, I Explore, the program has included the Dream Trip Program and the MICE Mart as its two major components.

Spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC), I Travel, I Explore was among the year’s biggest travel and trade events.

“We are thrilled to continue to open our doors to global guests in the MICE industry and showcase the country as a premier MICE destination. The Department is very confident that buyers, investors, and tourists, will always be enthralled not only with our country’s natural sites, but with our ready facilities for conventions and exhibitions,” said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.

“Our country’s competitiveness in this area of tourism springs from our creativity and resourcefulness. We are capable of organizing and holding uniquely-themed events, at a more reasonable and efficient cost,” Durano stressed.

Among the well-screened international buyers are incentive houses, destination management companies, association executives, meeting planners, and congress and exhibition organizers.

Durano further said, “Some participants are happy to be visiting the Philippines for the first time. Leading buyers from the United Kingdom, Active Consultancy, Mako Lifestyle and Rubymear Group of Companies, all specialists in the business, were among them, to name a few.”

Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions, said, “Knowing that buyers are excited to see the business opportunities that can unfold during the trip, DOT marketing representatives overseas and marketing teams here have been committed to provide them with the best possible assistance to ensure a fruitful business exchange.”

”An educational trip to the islands will definitely put the Philippines into the map of M.I.C.E. Market in our core market segments,” Jarque added. He also noted that DOT marketing teams are also continuously active in linking applications between the country and segments from North America, Middle East, India, Asia Pacific, China, Japan, and Korea.

Philippine sellers included airlines, hotels and resorts, Conference and Exhibition Venues, Destination Management Companies, Tour Operators, Meeting and Event Planners, M.I.C.E. Organizers and Suppliers, M.I.C.E. Destination Tourism Councils and Other M.I.C.E. Ancillary Services Suppliers.

The Open Doors monument in honour of the Philippines has been unveiled at the Rishon Lezion Memorial Park in Israel on June 21, forging stronger ties between the two countries.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, who was Guest of Honour at the event, said, “This monument commemorates the Philippines’ selfless efforts in opening the country for thousands of Jews, where they found a safe haven during a difficult period in their history. It is indeed an honour to remember this strong connection, at a time when the world is faced with a lot uncertainty and challenges.”

The Open Doors marker now sits as a historical landmark recognizing the Filipino people for their ‘courage, hospitality and the determination… to give humanitarian support for the European Jews seeking refuge from the Holocaust in the 1930s,’ according to the Philippine embassy in Israel.

Durano added, “This is a remarkable milestone to further better linkages between the Philippines and Israel. We are one of the first to recognize the State of Israel, and today the warm relations between our countries continue.”

In 1939, fully understanding the crisis the Jews were facing, President Manuel L. Quezon was instrumental in making ten thousand visas earmarked for travel to the Philippines. He declared an open doors policy, making a difference in the lives of thousands of Jews, some of which were in the event to celebrate the remarkable occasion.

Also present in the historical unveiling was Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr., who noted, “The warm hospitality of the Filipino people undoubtedly shed light on one of the Jewish people’s most trying times. This same characteristic has always drawn people from different cultures to Philippines. Aside from the destinations, the Filipinos’ hospitable spirit continues to leave a lasting mark on others.”

Reinforcing President Quezon’s open door policy were provisions for housing in Marikina in 1939, and an allotment for a farm and large settlement area in Mindanao for the Jewish refugees before the outbreak of World War II.

Such episodes were documented in a book Escape to Manila by Frank Ephraim, a Holocaust survivor. Four years ago, this book inspired the creation of the Open Doors monument through the initiative of the late Ambassador to Israel Antonio Modena, who died in Manila in February 2007.

In his book, Ephraim wrote, “The Philippines held out a promise of a safe haven from Nazi oppression, offering survival from mass murder of the Jewish people in Europe.”

The monument, showing modern conceptual doors, was designed by acclaimed Filipino artist Jun Yee. According to Yee, “The rising design of the open doors represents ‘soaring in triumph.’ One cannot imagine a more fitting symbol for this occasion than the Open Doors, dramatically and contemporarily designed.”

Philippine marble tiles from Romblon were used for the monument, along with metal sheets and reinforced concrete for the base.

Jarque mentioned, “The marble tiles coming from the island of Romblon, the heartland of our country, symbolize our country’s part in Israel’s story. The Jewish community in the Philippines and in other parts of the world also supported this initiative, and it is heartening to know that our friendship with the Jewish people have emerged stronger.”

Anyway, do you know a Pleasanton motorcycle accident attorney? My cousin needs one.

Now, for the first time ever, BOYCE AVENUE is releasing Best of Acoustic Sessions. For the first time on CD, this release contains 18 songs featuring the best of their YouTube hits including Bleeding Love, Apologize, With You, Umbrella, Realize, No Air and more! It also contains 2 exclusive new songs and acoustic versions of Change Your Mind and Tonight. This new release also comes with a signed guitar pick.

Boyce Avenue – Best of Acoustic Sessions is available nationwide in all record stores for only Php395. The album comes in a brand new innovative CD case design, and comes with a premium signed guitar pick. Boyce Avenue content is also available digitally online via http://www.fliptunesplus.net and via WAP on you mobile. Boyce Avenue – Best of Acoustic Sessions is released by MCA Music Inc.

Boyce Avenue, the internet phenomenon with over 75 million total views on YouTube, 143,000 subscribers, and ranked as one of the top musician channels of all-time on YouTube is coming out with a Philippines’ exclusive release – The Best of Acoustic Sessions. Hailing from Sarasota, Florida, but breaking out globally in an instant, Boyce Avenue is the first band in a long while to truly be defined by the term “phenomenon”. Powered by the trio of brothers Daniel, Fabian, and Alejandro Manzano, Boyce Avenue has proven that unsigned doesn’t mean unsuccessful. Having sold thousands of albums almost completely online since March of 2008, the band is looking to continue taking advantage of its exponentially increasing fan base, while continuing to make the sort of timeless music that appeals to fans young and old around the world.

Complete tracklist of Boyce Avenue – Best of Acoustic Sessions

• Bleeding Love
• Apologize
• With You
• Umbrella
• Realize
• No Air
• Hate That I Love You
• Disturbia
• No One/Tatoo (Medley)
• Viva La Vida
• Wonderwall
• Because Of You
• Love Lockdown
• Closer
• Chasing Cars
• What Goes Around
• Change Your Mind (Acoustic Version)
• Tonight (Acoustic Version)

If you can remember their famous youtube video Thriller (with almost 24,000,000 views) where you can see 1,500 inmates jostling around like zombies, then breaking into spontaneous dance when they corner Filipino Michael Jackson and his transvestite “girlfriend.”

Byron Garcia is the person behind this. He started a program of choreographed exercise routines for the inmates. Byron Garcia originally wanted to introduce a program at Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), Philippines, where inmates would exercise for an hour each day. He saw waves of prisoners in the exercise yard and thought it looked good.

The dancing is compulsory for all inmates at the prison in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, except the elderly and infirm.

The prison now even has its own official choreographer teachers, like Vince Rosales and Gwen Laydor.

They also perform Radio Gaga with Prisoners, Soulja Boy, Low, Tell Me – Lies, Jumbo Hotdog and more.

I love their Jai Ho performance. The ending was really good. It shows that they’re so up to date. And they were indeed talented. For sure, this will be a hit.

These Filipinos inmates are so famous, even Perez Hilton twitted this video on his twitter account.

Last May 12 2009 on The Late Show with David Letterman , Alec Baldwin joked about getting himself a mail-order bride from the Philippines.

“I’d love to have more kids. I’m thinking about getting a Filipina mail-order bride at this point or a Russian,” said Baldwin.

For Alec Baldwin, it is funny, but he did not realized that millions of Filipino thinks it’s an insult.

Philippine Senator Ramon Revilla (former action-movie star) said, “being a celebrity, Baldwin should be more prudent in issuing statements. And he must know what he is talking about. Apparently, he is not aware that here in the Philippines we don’t tolerate mail order bride schemes.”

Philippine Sen. Ramon Revilla called Baldwin arrogant and labeled his remarks insensitive, uncalled for and an insult to millions of Filipinos. In what sounded very much like a threat, he said, “Let him try to come here to the Philippines and he’ll see mayhem.”

Check out the Letterman’s Baldwin video below.

First, it was Filipino doctors when Teri Hatcher questioned the medical certificates of Filipino doctors in one of the episodes of Desperate Housewives. Then, British show Harry & Paul ridiculed a Filipina maid as a sex symbol. And just recently, Chinese columnist Chip Tsao called the Philippines a nation of slaves. And now, Filipinos engaged in the illegal mail-order bride scheme are the latest subject of a purported racial slur.

If I put myself in another’s shoe, maybe I’d laugh about it and shrug it off.  However, not all jokes are funny. It was not a good joke especially to the Filipinos like me.

We’re already being discriminated. And we need to do something about it but I believe that anger or rage will not take us somehere. So, we must take things calmly and intelligently.

Maybe correcting them about us, Filipino/Filipina is the first step we have to take.  That’s why I support “Yan ang Filipina” (That’s The Filipina!) Filipina Image Online Campaign.  Their goal is to reshape the Filipina image online and to create a balance in the Search Engine Results Page (SERPs) for the Filipina.

What do they mean by “balance?”

The word “Filipina” on the internet showcases websites that are top-heavy on her physical attributes, dating availability, or marriage suitability. What’s wrong with this picture? Nothing and everything.

If you google or yahoo search the word, “Indian,” there is no reference to an Indian woman in the first 10 results. Likewise with the word, “American” or “Russian.” No woman-related entry either. Type “Filipino.” Chances are that the prominent entry you will find on the first page showcases the keywords, “Filipino girls, Filipina dating, Philippine women.” Search for “Filipina.” You’ll most likely notice that six out of 10 sites are NOT devoted to the advancement and accomplishments of the Filipina.

This is just one of the many ways we can do or support to change our image to the whole world.

If you want to know more about Filipina Image Online Campaign, please visit  http://filipinaimages.com

Last words: We hate the fact that we were thrown racial slur on a worldwide program, but should we do the same? We know better than that, right?

Siargao Province, May 7, 2009 – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is co-hosting this year’s Invitational Game Fishing Tournament here today, together with the First District of Surigao del Norte.

Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism opens this landmark event with Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, together with Rep. Francisco Matugas of the First District of Surigao, and attended by local and foreign dignitaries.

“With our specialized tourism activities, the country is ready to be positioned as a significant game fishing venue. Blessed with a prime location, the Philippines is ready to welcome enthusiasts of this unique sport,” said Durano.

Considered as a form of recreational fishing as well as a legitimate sport, game fishing targets to catch the largest bony fish in the open sea, a timely initiative as the country’s tourism industry continues to go for niche marketing to get a ‘big catch’ of arrivals for 2009.

Durano reiterated, “Domestic travel is a key component in the country. We continually encourage activity in local communities, and with events like this enjoining both local and international delegates, we are assured that tourism growth is on a very solid foundation.”

The scenic coastal town of Pilar, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte is host to second run of this international tournament, expecting to draw numerous local and foreign anglers from Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Russia, Taiwan and the United States.

Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr remarked, “This will certainly boost Surigao’s tourism industry, which is also known as a surfing destination. Breathtaking views of coastlines and sunsets and a wide array of activities continue to captivate travellers the world over.”

Matugas agreed, “Cloud Nine, the largest mangrove forest in the country at 8,760 hectares, pristine white sand beaches, and tropical marine life-rich coral reefs, continue to attract a huge volume of tourists each year.”

Resolute that tourism is the prime vehicle for development in the island and of the whole Province of Surigao del Norte, he added, “With enhancement of the area’s travel opportunities, tourism will be a major contributor to the upliftment of the community’s livelihood.”

Summer is here… And get ready with your luggage and we are off to a great summer.

If you are not sure where to go this summer, I’ll share to you my 5 favorite Summer Holiday Locations in the Philippines.

1. Baguio
Rising 1,500 meters above the sea, Baguio City enjoys a relatively cool weather throughout the year. On the average, Baguio is at least eight degrees cooler than any place in the lowlands. Not surprisingly, Baguio has become the “summer capital” of the country.

It is awarded with a variety of cultural, historical and scenic attractions which make it an important and interesting destination. As early as March, tourists and locals take the six-hour trek up the zigzagging Kennon Road. Within a mile of the city, the sweet scent of pine trees and flowers already permeate the air.

2. Boracay
oracay is probably the most well known place in the Philippines right now having earned the reputation as being the place to be for beach fun and parties year round. A lot of events happen on any given day and this gets punched up several notches during the summer. You can go skimming, snorkeling, hiking, yachting and yes, swimming as well. Save some energy for the incredible nightlife however as the parties kick off early and end early… in the morning.

3. Tagaytay
With an altitude of 2,250 feet above sea level, Tagaytay City enjoys a cool climate all year round.

This city perched on a ridge is located in the province of Cavite, some 56 kilometers south of Manila. It overlooks Manila Bay on the north, Taal Lake and Taal Volcano on the south, Laguna Bay on the east and the China Sea on the west. The city is linked to the Metropolitan Manila and the province of Batangas by the Aguinaldo Highway.

Among its attractions is the Tagaytay Picnic Grove where one can get an unobstructed view of Taal Volcano, which lies within a lake. Taal Volcano, which rises 406 meters from the lake, is reputedly the world’s smallest volcano.

4. Palawan
The exotic beauty of Palawan remains undefiled. Branded as the country’s last frontier, Palawan is a sanctuary to an amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. Palawan is also home to Tubbataha Reef, the only national marine park that made it to the World Heritage List and whose grandeur is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

With more than a thousand islands and islets, Palawan boasts of white-sand beaches, scenic rock formations, underwater rivers and magnificent caves. Other well-known attractions include Saint Paul’s National Park which boasts of caves that nestle an underground river; El Nido, a world-class resort famous for its awe-inspiring seascape and limestone cliffs; and Calauit island, home of Philippine and African wildlife.

Also in Palawan is the primordial island of Busuanga, a perfect starting point for sorties to other nearby islands.In Palawan, each day is promising. The sun rises over the South China Sea and soon everything else sparkles, including the smiles of its people.

5. Pagudpud

Pagudpud beach is reputed to have the longest contiguous white sand with mighty waves and strong winds that can compare to Hawaii. That is why foriegners love Saud white beach. Its breathtaking views, white-sand beaches and crystal-blue water makes Pagudpud a haven for tourists. I like Saud more because they are not so crowded like Boracay.

So, where will you spend your summer?

Learn the 7107 reasons to explore Philippines through the Backpacking Pilipinas Talk. This will be facilitated by Youth Trip, a group dedicated to promoting responsible tourism and sponsored by R.O.X., Old Manila Walks and Alquimista Inc.

Admission is free. Register at youthtrip@gmail.com or rox.cs@primegrp.com or call 856-4638/39.

For more information:
URL:  www.ytrip.org.ph

Almighty God, bless our nation and make it true to the ideas of freedom and justice and brotherhood for all who make it great.

Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way.

And most especially guide us in choosing the right Presidential candidate to vote in the next election.

Amen

I, Iris Camille Mejia-Acosta, support the cause of the Blog Prayer Brigade for the election of the Future President of the Republic of the Philippines and I do solemnly promise to recite the prayer, which I wrote, in my own convenient time and regularly as possible until the 2010 Presidential Election commences. Let it be written, let it be done.

————–COPY STARTS HERE————–

Copy these rules including the logo above and paste in on your blog as is:

1. Write a short, sincere and meaningful prayer, (in your own words and according to the customs of your religious affiliation) about asking God in guiding our country and fellowmen in choosing the right candidate to vote for in the coming 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections. It can be in your own vernacular, and can be short and long as you please.Remember, the goal of the prayer is not only for Peaceful Election but most of all “for the guidance of choosing the right Presidential candidate to vote in the election”

2, Publish the prayer for everyone to Read in your blog.

3. Go to the Blog Prayer Brigade Main Page which is located here, and get one of the badges or banners for the brigade. Place the badge or banner in your Sidebar until the 2010 Presidential Elections commence.

4. Make an oath by filling the blank below with your handle/or name

I, _____________________(name) support the cause of the Blog Prayer Brigade for the election of the Future President of the Republic of the Philippines and I do solemnly promise to recite the prayer, which I wrote, in my own convenient time and regularly as possible until the 2010 Presidential Election commences. Let it be written, let it be done.

5. Tag at least 7 Pinoy bloggers you know who haven’t done this before so that the prayer will spread wherever there is a pinoy blogger present.

6. Keep you promise of praying for the Presidential Election so that God may guide us in choosing the right leader for our country.

7. in January 2010, we will gather all the names and prayers of each participants and publish all their prayers in one Blog. We will also feature in the blog the most beautiful prayer ever composed in this project.

————–COPY ENDS HERE————–

Now, I’m tagging Mommy Ruby, Mommy Len, Mitch, Gab, Mommy Elvz, Techsterr, Ktrix

I really hope our country will change for the better.  Anyway, I have to go.  I need to check some promotional products for Christmas giveaways.