Official AVP for ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ Campaign Released - Newest Province Dinagat Islands Featured!

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has launched earlier this month the official Audio Video Presentation (AVP) of its new international tourism campaign “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

The AVP which runs for 2 minute and 42 seconds features the country’s world famous tourist destinations, festivals, foods and attractions such as the Mayon Volcano in Albay, the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and Boracay, among others.

The presentation was quite fast-pacing but if you pause between 26-27 seconds, surprisingly the newest province, Dinagat Islands is being featured there as one of the finest and beautiful islands in the country (see below).

Watch the official AVP of the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign here:

Lake Bababu in Basilisa, Dinagat Islands Featured in GMA-7's Pinoy Adventures

In an episode of GMA-7's Pinoy Adventures tonight, July 8, 2012, Richard Gutierrez set foot on the pristine beach of Dinagat Islands and reached the unusual dive spot in the Caraga Region, the LAKE BABABU.

Situated between Puerto Princesa and Melgar in Basilisa, Dinagat Islands, Lake Bababu is a mountain lake that is a sight to behold. The steep vertical inclines add thrill to an avid adventurer like Richard Gutierrez. The lake has an Area of 5 hectares (12 acres) with surface elevation of 45 metres (148 ft) and is Tectonic in type.

Richard Gutierrez took on an exciting, thrilling, new adventure on PINOY ADVENTURES as he exerted his adrenaline rush exploring lush vegetation and diving beneath Lake Bababu:

Watch out the glimpse of the episode here:

This Sunday, Richard Gutierrez continues his first visit to Surigao and discovers a new world of adventure.

He sets foot on the pristine beach of Dinagat island, just one boat ride away from the city, to try his luck at a new adventure- freshwater diving. To reach the unusual dive spot, Richard treks to the peak of the mountain that cradles Lake Bababu, considered by the locals as a sacred place of healing.

From the peak, it's a treacherous downhill trek for Richard but this doesn't stop him from being awed by the majestic beauty of the forest and its winged creatures. He takes part in a curious tradition that involves drinking the lake water before descending into the darkness of the sinkhole lake.

As he submerges into the lake, Richard discovers a new thrill- swimming in dark water as he is carried by tides from the sea. But even in the depths of the mountain lake, he explores a new world filled with saltwater marine life, even pre-historic looking fishes. He also finds a halocline, an area where inland fresh water merges with seawater. This discovery leads him to an underwater cave that leads to the open sea.

After a grueling and fantastic underwater adventure, Richard finds himself in Surigao City once more for a much-deserved food trip.

 See more of Lake Bababu's lust vegetation below:

Top view of Lake Bababu

An eagle flying in the surroundings of Lake Bababu

A rare specie of Spider crawling on the Lake Bababu

A rare specie of a white juvenile Planthopper, roam around the shore of Lake Bababu

You can join Richard Gutierrez in a new adventure every Sunday on PINOY ADVENTURES, aired during GMA Sunday Grande, 8:30 PM after "I-Bilib".

Photo Credit: Mr. Bong Ong, "The Web Master"

List of World's Top 20 Restaurants According to Elite Travel Magazine

Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine has published its ranking of the top 20 restaurants in the world.

Topping the list is US chef Grant Achatz for his award-winning eatery Alinea in Chicago. Here's the full list according to critics and readers of Elite Traveler:

1    Alinea - Chicago, USA
2    The Fat Duck - Bray, UK
3    Per Se - New York, USA
4    Pierre Gagnaire - Paris, France
5    Daniel - New York, USA
6    Le Bernardin - New York, USA
7    El Celler de Can Roca - Girona, Spain
8    Louis XV Alain Ducasse - Monaco
9    Mugaritz - Errenteria, Spain
10   Hof Van Cleve - Kruishoutem, Belgium
11   Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athenee - Paris, France
12   Jean Georges - New York, USA
13   Matsuhisa Restaurant - Los Angeles, USA
14   The French Laundry- Yountville, USA
15   Al Sorriso - Soriso, Italy
16   The Ledbury - London, UK
17   Restaurant Gordon Ramsay - London, UK
18   L'Hotel de Ville - Philippe Rochat- Crissier, Switzerland
19   La Colombe - Cape Town, South Africa
20   L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges - Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or, France

Source: Yahoo! Philippines

Boracay is Ranked 2nd in "Best Beaches in the World" by TripAdvisor

A travel website www.TripAdvisor.com has named the Philippines’ famous Boracay Island as the best beach in Asia. The website's Travelers’ Choice 2011 also voted the island as ranked second "Best Beaches in the World" for 2011.

Boracay was ranked second in TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice roster for the "Best Beaches in the World" for 2011. The website picked 25 spots all over the world that boast of great beaches. TripAdvisor commended Boracay: "At only 4.5 miles long, Boracay is small enough to navigate by rented bicycle or motorbike. But don't let its small size fool you—you'll have several excellent beaches to choose from. Yapak Beach is known for beautiful white shells; White Beach has picture-perfect sunsets; and Balinghai Beach is a secluded spot, perfect for honeymooners. As long as you visit during dry season, you'll agree this is one of the best beach destinations in the world."

See the list below:

1. Providenciales, Turks and Calcos Islands
2. Boracay, Philippines
3. Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba
4. Negril, Jamaica
5. Tulum, Mexico
6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
7. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
8. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
9. Cape May, New Jersey
10. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
11. Maldives
12. Panama City Beach, Florida
13. Miami Beach, Florida
14. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
15. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
16. Sanibel Island, Florida
17. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
18. Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico
19. Ayia Napa, Cyprus
20. Cancun, Mexico
21. Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba
22. Skiathos, Greece
23. Clearwater, Florida
24. Honolulu, Hawaii
25. Koh Phangan, Thailand

The website said that the ranking was based on the travelers’ reviews and ratings. In Asia, the top best beaches were:

1. Boracay, Philippines
2. Maldives, Koh Phangan, Thailand
3. Koh Samui, Thailand
4. Khao Lak, Thailand
5. Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand
6. Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
7. Krabi Town, Thailand
8. Ko Lanta, Thailand
9. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Visit TripAdvisor for more information.

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It's More Fun in the Philippines - New Tourism Campaign of the Philippines

The Department of Tourism unveiled Friday morning its new tourism campaign dubbed "It's more fun in the Philippines."

"Tourism is the Business of the People", says DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez

Newly-appointed Tourism Secretary Ramon Reyes Jimenez, Jr. called on the Filipino people to participate in government efforts to promote the country as one of the top tourist destinations in the world as he shared the idea that “tourism is the business of the people”.

Top Ten Beaches in the Philippines

Sundayo Beach, Basilisa, Dinagat Islands

The Philippines have been well known for its fantastic beaches. Here are some of the best beaches in the Philippines that one may consider visiting according to http://www.netguard.dk: