Category Archives: The Media

International, Politics, Technology, The Media, Travel

WORLD HOSPITALITY SURVEY: PHILIPPINES RANKS NUMBER ONE IN WARMEST WELCOME TO VISITORS

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imageManila, Philippines  (The Adobo Chronicles) – Filipinos are known to be among the most, if not the most warm and hospitable people in the world. This trait has recently been confirmed by a worldwide survey conducted by the World Travel Association (WTA).

WTA surveyed one million frequent travelers from the Americas, Europe, Asia and other continents. The single- question survey asked “Which of the countries you have visited in the past year has extended to you the warmest welcome?”  The Philippines topped the list in the survey.

Survey respondents were in agreement that their warm welcome experience happened as soon as they landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Upon disembarking from the plane and entering the airport terminal, they said they were immediately greeted by entertainers singing hit songs like ‘Gangnam Style.’ The warm atmosphere was further enhanced by the non-functioning airconditioning units at NAIA, making the temperature inside the terminal feel almost twice the heat and humidity outside. The average temperature in Manila during the summer months is 34 degrees celsius or 94 degrees fahrenheit.

Philippine Transportation Secretary Jun Abaya said he was elated over this new honor bestowed upon the Philippines and “extremely proud of the work by airport authorities.” He commended NAIA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado for creating a warm atmosphere at the airport.

In the light of this new survey, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has decided to change its campaign meme of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” to “The Philippines: Hot as an Oven!”  “A visit to the Philippines is a life-changing experience that starts right at NAIA,” DOT said.

International, Law Enforcement, Politics, The Media

TOTAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LOOMS IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Malacañang Palace, the Philippines' White House
Malacañang Palace, the Philippines’ White House

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – A government shutdown is not that uncommon. It has happened in the U.S. when legislators failed to pass a budget, and it has happened in other countries when citizens declared a no-confidence in their duly-elected government.

But a looming total government shutdown in the Philippines has nothing to do with the budget or a no-confidence citizenry vote. It’s all about the pork barrel scandal involving the siphoning of 10 Billion pesos of taxpayer money into ghost projects and into the pockets of politicians and private citizens.

Recent investigation and revelations have confirmed that:

  • More than half of sitting senators are involved in the scam
  • More than 150 current and past members of the House of Representatives are linked to the scam
  • Top officials of the Aquino government have been implicated in the scam
  • Prominent members of the media have benefited from the scam

Political analysts have concluded that the one last resort to dealing with this scandal is for President Aquino to declare a total government shutdown and appoint a caretaker government to fully revamp the government.

The U.S. government, which recently signed an agreement with the Philippines to increase American military presence in this ally country, has volunteered to facilitate a speedy recovery should the total government shutdown occur. The U.S. fell short of saying that it will work towards making the Philippines its 51st state.

 

Arts, Business, Festivals, Film and TV, Human Interest, International, The Media

BEAUTY CONTESTANT ‘PASSES AWAY,’ PAGEANT ORGANIZER UNDER INVESTIGATION

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Miss Philippines Earth 2014 Winners (Photo by Rom Titular for ABQ)
Miss Philippines Earth 2014 Winners (Photo by Rom Titular for ABQ)

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – The organizer of a Philippine beauty pageant was under questioning last week by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the reported passing away of a contestant due to over-dieting.

The incident happened during the pre-pageant rehearsals for  Miss Philippines Earth 2014, when one of the contestants, Pircelyn Pialago told reporters that her roommate, Leslie Pine, passed away due to hunger.

It is common knowledge that aspiring beauty queens sometimes starve themselves to death in order to stay fit and slim for the contest. The NBI wanted to know whether the pageant organizer intentionally starved the contestants in order to showcase a better line-up of pageant ladies.

After completing its inquiry, the NBI determined that there was no crime or foul play committed. Apparently, Pialago meant to say that her roommate “passed out” and not “passed away.”

As a result of this embarrassing situation, the pageant organizer said that beginning next year, contestants to Miss Philippines Earth will undergo a week-long English grammar lessons as part of the pre-pageant activities.

Ms. Pine is alive and kicking, but didn’t win the coveted crown. Neither did Ms. Pialago.

(Former Beauty Queen Joyce Burton Titular of ‘The Adventures of a Beauty Queen’ contributed to this report.)