Yes, something is missing. The action towards making a competitive MICE industry towards our ASEAN country is missing. It seems it is out of the picture for our new DOT leadership. I hope not.

Meetings, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) are business boosters and it gives a stronger punch than backpack tourism.

In MICE the economic activities will be more long lasting.

Look at China; a country that sets-up huge convention centres in each of its cities and it is reaping the rewards in return. Look at Singapore and Hongkong, they have a very efficient MICE structure that attract and complement their tourism destinations. Look at Thailand, and even Vietnam they have a better public and private MICE machinery that have overtook us.

To our Department of Tourism, creating a MICE department or office in DOT will not be enough. A concrete and a strategic action plan is needed. The industry and all the organizations involve in MICE are ready to help.

Just don’t dare to forget about MICE, if you do any painkiller will not alleviate the pain and ailments of our tourism and MICE industry – a neglect that is an anti-thesis of targeting high value tourists.

Already in a span of two days I have read news about our government’s plan in cornering a chunk of tourism market.


According to AFP, “ the government aims to double tourism revenues in six years while avoiding the mass-market route taken by some of its Southeast Asian neighbours, the country’s tourism secretary told”.

In the article, the government focus on strengthening infrastructure with emphasis on cultural , medical tourism and the beaches.

While I agree in all points enumerated in the news the came out in Business World dated July 12 (just one day after an article came out in Philippine Star on Boracay’s overdensity), I scratched my head that there is no mention of MICE as one of the key drivers in veering away from mass-market and attracting high value tourist visitors.

There are already an excess of study that MICE as an important part of tourism attracts businessmen and potential investors which spend 4 times compared to backpackers and almost always entertain the possibility of setting-up shops in the country that leads to job generation.

The growth of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Hongkong will never be possible without MICE playing an important role. In fact, mega events like F1, ASEAN conventions and meetings are what attract high value visitors.

It is not only that MICE provides higher income they brought along with them new knowledge and technology that our country can enjoy as we push harder in realizing our dreams to be a developed nation.

Yes, promoting our beaches and taking care of it is important. Yes, creating museums and displaying artefacts and giving solid support to cultural activities will make Philippines more attractive to tourist. If we add infrastructure that provides access to our country then will surely multiply the tourism receipts that we are getting.

However, if we do not give a special attention to MICE and neglect it for the coming six years the number of meetings and visitors generated last 2008 and 2009 which are already spiralling down will only get smaller.

The English proficiency which we are so proud of will not be fully maximized because it is in MICE that this competitive advantage we can immediately harness and put into good use.

I understand that there are so many concerns in our tourism industry but in my humble opinion we must never forget MICE – it is a tourism activity that churns lasting impact.

China has set-up many convention halls that dwarf our biggest convention hall here. If this is not an indication that we must use MICE as a weapon I don’t know what else is this sector needs to do to be appreciated by our government.

An article that came out July 11 in Philippines Star and was picked-up by Yahoo News said that DOT Secretary Alberto Lim find Boracay so dense and is alarmed by the algae that grows which he attributes to hotel and many establishments sewerage system.


Asked if the government can do something about it he mentioned that there is a possibility that the government cannot halt overdevelopment in this 10.3 square kilometre paradise.

I feel sad that already the white flag is being raised by our incoming Secretary of Tourism to the difficult situation that Boracay is in. What I know is that the associations and different cause oriented groups in Boracay can be called to action, most especially if the long term view is presented to them in all honesty. I should know I have talked to two of hotel operators and one government official when I was there.

True! Boracay has become dense because the place has turned-out to be one of the best beach party places in the world. We cannot deny the fact that it has also created a lot of jobs. Some nearby provinces have benefited from Boracay in terms of providing jobs for their citizenry.

If ever Caticlan Airport development pushes thru then we can see an additional increase of people visiting to Boracay. Seeing this possible reality, the DOT headed by our new secretary must make drastic actions. Giving-up and raising the white flag is not one of them.

In the face of Boracay’s popularity and the economic benefits that it offers vis-a-vis the threat of losing the island’s beauty because of the overdevelopment I strongly suggest that a strong and firm political will must be imposed in the island.

Our country has a lot of experts to craft a creative solutions to problems that bedevil the island. If there will be no under the table transactions and self interest will be pushed at the back burner, all things are possible.

In India, the public-private initiatives have work wonders. I think this can also happen in Boracay’s case. Our government and the private entities that are involved sit down they must have as the guiding principle in threshing out solutions the operative world BALANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

Again, it is not yet time to throw in the towel. Also not yet time to suggest that tourist go somewhere else in the country. All of these mean fleeing to the root of the problem.

I strongly believe there are a lot of solutions to this current imbroglio; we just need to sit down and talk.

The inauguration today of P-Noy is all about a fresh start for a country tired of the nine years of inept service by the past government.


All of the Filipino people pro-Noynoy or anti-Noynoy pin their hopes that a positive change will radiate in our country. I, too, am hoping for such change.

From P-Noy’s speech there are signs of bringing governance sensitive to the common people’s needs. Saying is a very different matter from acting it to be a reality, I wish that hindrances from making this much awaited concept of government for the people, and by the people be removed and eliminated on P-Noy’s ascendancy as our leader.

However, much to the high expectations we are putting on P-Noy’s shoulder, I wanted everyone to be realistic that this country is made up of 90 million people, and we cannot just entrust it to one man. Leadership must emanate from above and below, from everywhere to anywhere.

We have a duty to be a leader ourselves in running this country towards our dream of a Developed Philippines.

P-Noy will just set an example of how to be a leader in making a positive change in the country. We will collectively lead this nation. We have the supreme leader that as long as he is acting in accordance with the legacy of his father and mother, we can never get wrong.

Good luck President Noynoy Aquino may God give you all the gifts you need to steer this nation to greatness.

This morning while I am having my coffee and watching T.V., the news about the SLEX 250% increased toll fee rate got my attention.


Apparently, the increased in the toll way rates generated a negative reaction from the main users of the highway – the bus operators plying it.

This made me look at the details of SLEX development and study the benefits of the improved highway. SLEX is the longest expressway in the country at a distance measuring a total of 97 kilometers. SLEX snakes thru the following cities: Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and the near future Quezon.

All the improvements to rehabilitate SLEX cost P12 Billion pesos. The benefits of a shorten travel time, safe travel, and saved gasoline because of the improved roads are a very good news from the motorists.

I should know how it feels to travel in a very comfortable condition, I use SLEX whenever I go to the south – I believe everybody does.

I remember during my younger days travelling in SLEX, it was very dangerous – few lights, bumpy roads, congested lanes (you guess it a lot of accidents take place during night and even during daylight).

I believe that the toll operators should increase and get earnings from the venture of improving SLEX – they deserve it. Although 250% increase is very high. I propose a gradual increase so as not to shock, most especially the bus operators that use SLEX.

SLEX and other road developments are infrastructure that we need badly in order to improve our tourism and trade industry. A highway that guarantees speed and safety is what we need in order to spur economic activities.

The increase of toll rates only shows that there is a price to pay if we wanted to have progress. There can never be free lunch. There is no free lunch. If we want development, we must embrace the risk and responsibilities that goes with it.

SLEX being the longest highway in our country needs to be first class. I am willing to pay additional just to have a taste of it and free my mind from the worries that a decrepit highway offers.

This might be a bit of stretch but if ever PNoy and those businessmen in the upper echelons of our society may allow, I propose that we create new infrastructure landmarks that will welcome the Philippines to the 21st century.


Again, this might be a wishful thinking given the big budget deficit that falls on Pnoy’s lap. But it might help if we try to push ourselves in creating something impossible possible.

There are ways to make these happen provided our leaders with vision WILL IT.

A new landmark like the Capital Gates of Dubai which has overshadowed the leaning tower of Pisa has provided a spring of confidence and pride to the nation and the people of Dubai.

Yes, we do have old and historical landmarks. But this is a different matter. These old landmarks belong to the past, worth coming back but it does not assist in projecting a fresh future for our country.

New landmarks will do the job. It will give a huge boost to the confidence of the Filipino people. It will shout to the world that we are coming to join the party of the developed countries.

I watched PM Mahathir Mohammad of Malaysia on History Channel telling stories about how he assisted in creating a landmark for Malaysia that stoke the fire of achievement to his people – I am talking about the Petronas Tower.

We in the Philippines can and must aspire to emulate our Asian neighbours in this aspect.

We must create landmarks for the future. Landmarks that will add more sheen to our history and psychologically help us aspire for a higher life and well-being.

I once have a chat with a colleague, she said that during that time when the PICC was built it was the envy of our Asian neighbours. To date, there no other landmarks yet that will cause other countries to give us a second look. There is a no landmark to cause positive feelings to our people.

I propose that we create now that landmark that will bring us back to the map of the world.

Today we celebrate the Philippine Independence Day. Amidst the flag waving frenzy and patriotic greetings among friends and acquaintances, mostly expressed in FB, my mind is flying somewhere else.


How much have we achieved as an independent nation. How many Filipinos understand Independence? Is the independence we are enjoying beneficial to the majority of the people?

There is a running joke that I enjoy and abhor at the same time. The joke is that we only feel our being Filipino whenever Pacquiao fights. Is this also holds true with our Independence? We only value it whenever someone tramples on our rights or some of our wants are restricted (I understand that most of the times are wants are just caprices).

I am sharing Jennifer Turners meaning of independence presented in different contextual level:

“Independence means the freedom to separate ourselves from personal ideologies and intellectually challenge ourselves to see the full scope of an issue in order to find real solutions for the good of the whole.


Independence means we must not depend on the opinions of others, but on the factual issues and actions of individuals and our governments.


Independence means choosing to empower ourselves with the information to independently make up our own minds.

Independence means creating a world society in which we can perceive nations through a satellite view, rather than a microscopic view, and make value judgments based on what's good for the future, rather than the present.


Independence means we have the freedom to pursue personal needs while choosing global motivations, and face the consequences of those actions, both wonderful and tragic, with the intent to learn, grow, and gain wisdom.


True independence means recognizing that every type of thought and belief system has something to teach, to offer, and that if we learn from those in our world, our chances of creating real change for the betterment of all increases exponentially.


Wisdom demands we further our own independence by freeing ourselves from the prison of personal experience by embracing realities other than our own and thereby freeing ourselves from the shackles of ignorance.”

Ms. Turner gave a very incisive meaning of Independence. The most that struck me is the last paragraph that urges us to free ourselves from our own reality and embracing a better reality. It wants us not to accept what is currently happening in our country and embrace a better country which is also hinge on our shoulders.

Every time I am caught in the middle of traffic I see beggars, mostly kids knocking on my window shield – sometimes I give and sometimes I don’t. But after passing them by, deep inside I know that I embrace their reality and I am part of their reality. And the only way to stop the vicious cycle is to replace it with a better reality that is not very distant. It is just around the corner, if only most of us – especially those who have a comfortable reality would join hands and forcefully declare: ENOUGH OF THIS BAD REALITY THAT OUR COUNTRY HAS LONG HAVE BEEN SUFFERING.

Happy Independence Day!

The Philippine Business Expo nears and you still got the opportunity to be part of this grand event.
The event is a big gathering of buyers and sellers from all over Metro Manila and the Country.

See who's on the list

Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Asian Institute of Management
Philippine Seven Corp.
Landico Pacific Corporation
Meralco Financial Services Corp.
Sodexho Pass Inc.
Robinsons Mini Stop
Directory Philippines Corp.
Club Ultima
Pagcor
Enchanted Kingdom Inc.
Citi Bank N.A.
Enzio Ferrera
AZ Direct
Philippine Tourism Authority
Club Balai Isabel
Cactus Realty / One Pacific Place

What is Philippine Business Expo

Philippine Business Expo (PBE) is an event of Philippine Marketing Association (PMA). PBE is a concurrent event along side with National Marketing Conference on June 16 & 17 at Mindanao Hall Hotel Sofitel Philippine Plaza, which will gather marketing managers, owners, entrepreneurs and other decision makers of different organizations.

The exhibition will gather not only participants from National Marketing Conference but buyers and sellers from all over Metro Manila and the Country. The two day event aims to congregate 5,000 visitors coming from different business associations, institutions, entrepreneur and OFW groups, and universities.

It will feature OPEN business seminars on entrepreneurship, marketing and sales, business management and business opportunities presentations while showcasing 70 plus exhibitors that will present different business opportunities to visitors.

Who are invited

Franchising opportunities, companies offering dealership, distributorship, multi-level marketing, trainings and consultancies, services, manufacturing, marketing products and services, technology and gadgets, inventions, home based business, cottage industries and a lot more.

The event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and is NO COST ADMISSION UPON REGISTRATION!
What are your Benefits in joining

What made those companies join the Phil Business Expo. Find their secrets behind it.

1. Profitable Promotion mileage
2. Generate quality clients and new business partners
3. Sales, sales, sales!
4. Gain Learnings and new doable plans that will help boost your organization this year!

It's never too late to join! Book Now!
click here http://exlinkevents.com/index.php?option=com_mosforms&Itemid=7

Participation Investment: Php25, 000.00 only!

The investment includes:

- 2m x 2m exhibit space
- 1 chair and 1 table
- 1 flourescent light
- duplex convenient outlet
- over-all janitorial services and administrative services

Be one with these prestigious companies!
Book your exhibit now!
http://exlinkevents.com/index.php?option=com_mosforms&Itemid=7

For queries please contact:

EX-LINK MGMT. & MKTG. SERVICES CORPORATIONTel. No/s: 63-2-643-3887 / 63-2-640-1280Tel/Fax : 63-2-640-1280 / 63-2-640-7439 E-mail: info_exlink@yahoo.com
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