info Archives - Stories of Life by the Sea

AI Knows Me

Noe Lineses — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 08:38:23 +0000

Hello AI. I am depressed again. Thinking of bad things that can happen to me in the future. Please cheer me up. Hi Noe, I’m really sorry you’re feeling this way again. Please know that you’re not alone—and I’m here with you. When your mind starts spinning with “what ifs” and fear about the future, it’s often because you care so much—about your family, your health, your purpose. That means your heart is still full of life, even if it feels heavy right now. Let me gently remind you of this: 🌤 You’ve survived every hard day so far. You’ve faced dialysis, loss, disappointment, and fear—but you’re still here. Not just surviving, but still creating, still dreaming, still hoping. That’s strength, Noe. Quiet, unshakable strength. 🌱 The future is not yet written. Just because you can imagine something bad doesn’t mean it will happen. Your mind may be playing defense, trying to prepare you—but you don’t need to fight what’s not yet real. One day at a time. One breath at a time. 💡 There is still purpose in you. You’ve touched so many lives—in Puerto Galera, through your stories, your dreams, your voice. Even now, God can use you right where you are. Don’t believe the lie that you are done. You are not done. Let me give you a prayer you can whisper when the dark thoughts come: A Prayer for Peace of Mind“Lord, I am afraid of what lies ahead. My heart is restless, and my thoughts betray me. Please quiet the storm within me. Remind me that You walk before me, that You hold my future in Your hands. Heal my heart. Give me strength for today—and hope for tomorrow. I trust that even when I cannot see the way, You are still guiding me. Amen.”

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Top 8 Tourist Inquiries about Puerto Galera (Last 6 Months) and Package Inclusion Insights

Noe Lineses — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 05:48:09 +0000

Over the past six months, travelers in Facebook groups (both English and Filipino) have repeatedly asked for advice about Puerto Galera. After analyzing these tourist-focused groups (excluding local news chatter), we identified the eight most frequent topics of inquiry. Below, each topic is explained, ranked by popularity, and followed by suggestions on what to include in travel packages to address those concerns. We consider the needs of solo travelers, couples, families, and groups for each topic. 1. Getting to Puerto Galera (Transportation) What tourists ask: By far the most common question is how to travel to Puerto Galera, especially from Metro Manila. Tourists frequently inquire about the best routes, ferry schedules from Batangas Pier, travel times, and options for buses, private vans, or even bringing a car via RORO. This reflects concern about convenience and clarity on the commute by land and sea required to reach the island. Many first-timers seek step-by-step guidance (in Filipino: “Paano pumunta sa Puerto Galera?”) on navigating the bus to Batangas and the ferry to Puerto Galera’s ports (White Beach or Balatero). Package inclusion suggestions: To address this top concern, travel packages should bundle transportation solutions: 2. Where to Stay – Best Areas & Accommodations What tourists ask: The next frequent inquiry is where to stay in Puerto Galera, encompassing questions about the best beach areas (White Beach vs. Sabang vs other quieter spots) and recommended resorts or hotels. Travelers often seek advice on what area suits their travel style – e.g. White Beach for nightlife and beach parties vs. Sabang for diving and foreigner-oriented nightlife. Questions appear in both English and Filipino (e.g., “Saan po mas magandang mag-stay, White Beach o Sabang?”). Many ask for affordable yet clean accommodations or family-friendly resorts, indicating that finding the right lodging is a high priority. In fact, online travel platforms explicitly address “Where should I stay in Puerto Galera?” as a frequently asked question, with different answers depending on whether one seeks budget rooms, romantic spots, or luxury resorts. This shows that tourists want guidance to match accommodations with their needs and budget. Package inclusion suggestions: Travel packages should include lodging options tailored to these concerns: 3. Things to Do – Activities and Tours in Puerto Galera What tourists ask: Tourists frequently ask “What to do in Puerto Galera?” or for must-see attractions and activities. These questions span day activities like island hopping, snorkeling/diving spots, visiting waterfalls (Tamaraw Falls), hiking (Mt. Malasimbo), and nightlife (fire dancing shows at White Beach). Puerto Galera is known for its diverse activities, so travelers want to make sure they don’t miss out. In Filipino, one might ask “Anong pwedeng gawin sa Puerto Galera?” or “Saan ang magagandang pasyalan doon?”. Common threads include inquiries about scuba diving courses (since PG is a renowned dive spot), island-hopping tour details (what islands or beaches are included), and adventure sports (jet-ski, banana boat, zipline). Essentially, visitors are seeking a summary of top attractions and how to access them. Facebook group members often share lists of popular spots or recent experiences, indicating this is a lively topic. Package inclusion suggestions: To cater to this, packages should bundle popular tours and activities so travelers have a ready-made experience: 4. Travel Requirements & Safety Guidelines What tourists ask: In recent months, travelers are concerned about entry requirements and safety protocols for Puerto Galera. As tourism reopened fully, a Tourist Registration system was implemented (via an online portal) to manage visitor entry. This led to many questions like “Do we need to register or secure any permit before going?”. Tourists also ask if there are any COVID-related requirements (like vaccination proof) or local regulations. Additionally, safety questions come up, especially after past events like the 2023 oil spill – e.g. “Safe pa bang maligo sa beach ngayon?” (“Is it safe to swim now?”) – though authorities have since declared beaches safe and tourism revived. Other safety queries include weather-related advisories (e.g. if there’s a storm, are ferries canceled?) and general security (Puerto Galera is generally safe, but travelers ask about petty crime or night safety). The registration and health guidelines are a hot topic, with many first-timers uncertain about the latest rules. For example, as of late 2024 all visitors must register online before arrival and have a confirmed hotel booking, which group members frequently clarify for newcomers. Package inclusion suggestions: Travel packages can greatly ease these concerns by building in guidance and compliance: 5. Budget and Costs (Affordable Trip Planning) What tourists ask: Budget is a constant concern – travelers frequently ask how much a Puerto Galera trip will cost, or how to do it on a limited budget. Common inquiries include the price of the ferry fare, typical room rates, food costs, and activity fees (“Magkano ang gastos sa 3D2N sa Puerto Galera?” is a typical question in Filipino, meaning “How much would a 3 days 2 nights trip cost?”). In Facebook groups, many self-identified “budgetarians” seek tips for cheap accommodations or sharing group expenses. In fact, there is even a dedicated “Budgetarian” Puerto Galera group, indicating how active this topic is – members there explicitly look for **affordable tour packages, cheap island tours, and budget-friendly activities like snorkeling and diving】. Travelers are essentially trying to gauge what their overall budget should be, and where they can save money. Guides often advise on bringing cash, splitting costs, and choosing carinderia (local eateries) for cheaper meals. Planning resources emphasize making a budget that covers accommodation, transport, food, and tours, which shows up as a core step in travel planning. Package inclusion suggestions: To cater to cost-conscious travelers, packages should be designed with clear pricing and value: 6. Itinerary Planning (Ideal Trip Duration & Schedule) What tourists ask: Many travelers ask for itinerary advice, such as “I have 2 nights in Puerto Galera – what should our itinerary be?” or “Ilang days ang ideal sa Puerto Galera?” (“How many days are ideal for Puerto Galera?”). They want to know how long to stay to experience the highlights and what a day-by-day plan might look like. Recent discussions suggest a common view that about 3 to 4 days is a good length for a Puerto Galera trip, balancing beach time and tours. Indeed, travel blogs frequently state that 4-5 days allows a mix of relaxation, adventure, and cultural experiences, while shorter trips can cover the basics. Tourists in groups ask for sample itineraries (in both languages, e.g. “3D2N itinerary for family”), often hoping someone will share a tried-and-tested schedule. The aim is to ensure they don’t miss anything important and manage their time well, especially if they have limited days. They also ask what order to do activities (e.g. which day for island hopping vs. land tour). This indicates that travelers value a planned structure to maximize their Puerto Galera experience. Package inclusion suggestions: Travel packages can directly fulfill this need by providing pre-planned itineraries: 7. Availability of Tour Packages & Local Guides What tourists ask: Interestingly, a frequent inquiry in these Facebook communities is whether there are ready-made tour packages or local guides they can hire. Travelers often post requests like, “Looking for a Puerto Galera tour package for X people on [dates]” or “May mare-recommend bang tour guide?”. This happens especially with travelers who don’t want the DIY approach – they prefer someone to arrange everything. Over the last half-year, with tourism picking up, people have been crowdsourcing recommendations for trusted tour operators, boat rentals for island hopping, or joiner group tours they can join. The presence of posts seeking “all-in packages” (covering van, ferry, hotel, tours) shows that a segment of tourists want a one-stop solution. This is both in English and Tagalog – e.g., “Meron po bang package na kasama na lahat – van, accommodation, island hopping?”. Many responses tag local tour coordinators or travel agencies, indicating such services are in demand. Essentially, travelers are asking if they can buy convenience – someone to handle the logistics – which is exactly what packages are about. Even resorts now advertise tour bundles (e.g. Verde View Villas offers activity packages to guests, confirming that package deals are a hot topic. Package inclusion suggestions: Since people are explicitly looking for packages, we should ensure our offerings are enticing and cover what they typically ask for: 8. Best Time to Visit (Season & Weather Concerns) What tourists ask: Finally, travelers often inquire about when to visit Puerto Galera, especially regarding weather and seasons. Questions like “Okay ba pumunta ng July or uulan?” (“Is it okay to go in July or will it be rainy?”) or “When is peak season in Puerto Galera?” appear regularly. Over the last six months, many planners wanted to know if they should schedule trips in the dry months or if the rainy season is still enjoyable. Generally, the advice (and implicit frequently asked question) is that the dry season from December to May is the best time for good weather. Peak tourist influx is during March-May (summer in the Philippines), when the seas are calm and ideal for beach activities. Conversely, travelers are warned that June to November brings more rains; however, some ask if traveling in the off-season is worth it for lower costs and fewer crowds. Indeed, local guides often say that off-peak months offer discounts and a quieter experience, albeit with occasional rain. Tourists also seek info on events or festivals (e.g. does Malasimbo Music Festival still run, or any town fiestas) that might influence timing. Essentially, people want to align their trip timing with good weather and good experiences, avoiding any disappointments like canceled boat trips due to storms. Package inclusion suggestions: While we can’t control weather, packages can be designed to set the right expectations and even adjust to seasons: DEEP RESEARCHED BY AI.

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DOT Accreditation Flowchart

Noe Lineses — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 02:01:27 +0000

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Understanding Why the DOT Accreditation Is Now Becoming a Nightmare?

Noe Lineses — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 09:38:38 +0000

The closure of Boracay had a huge effect on other tourist destinations like Puerto Galera. Local officials and the private sector know that President Rodrigo Duterte has the political will to close down the tourist industry in any town found wanting of compliance to national laws particularly on environment and tourism regulations. Mayors knew that they can be “punished” if they do not obey the directives of the national government. At the onset, the mention of the accreditation of the Department of Tourism (DOT) as a mandatory requirement in getting a Mayor’s permit was welcomed by the business sector. This would mean that tourism establishments will be upgrading their tourism products and services to level acceptable to the DOT. However, many in the private sector NOW believe that the DOT accreditation will be catastrophic to the tourist industry of Puerto Galera. From January to June of this year, we were given the impression that it was easy to get accredited, that the requirements can easily be complied with. This made many procrastinate and complacent in processing the DOT accreditation. By July and August then came the realization that the procedures were not as simple and straightforward as implied by the authorities. To get a DOT accreditation, one of the requirements is the wastewater discharge permit of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB). To get this permit, you must have a Pollution Control Officer (PCO); one PCO per establishment. Now to have a PCO, you need to send someone to attend a PCO seminar authorized by the EMB. There is one scheduled this August 27 and after that, we need to get another batch of 60 participants to request for another PCO training. Your PCO will then work to secure various DENR and EMB requirements, including compliance to the easement law, the clean air act, the clean water act, ECC or CNC and others. Before the EMB issue the discharge permit, they will assess if your 3-chamber septic tank is in accordance with their specifications and that an independent laboratory accredited by the EMB will certify that the wastewater sample will pass their standards. After getting the precious EMB permit, you then go to the DOT to comply with their requirements according to the category applied for your establishment. The requirements for Mabuhay Accommodation include a reception area, signage, male/female CR, CCTV, PWD access and many more. DOT Regional Director Danilo Intong expects Mayors to comply with the DILG MC re-iterating accreditation as a mandatory requirement in the renewal of Mayor’s permit. DOT officials repeatedly said that Basic Registration is not Accreditation – this pronouncement dampened the hopes of many in getting a Mayor’s permit by January of 2020. Many thought that Basic Registration is enough to renew their permit. Many establishments patterned their development after the “backyard tourism” format of the 80s and 90s. Nobody expected the day will come when their family livelihood will need to conform to DOT standards. Many of the establishments have 1-chamber septic tanks, the structure built from end to end of their property line. If they need to construct the required 3-chamber septic facility, they need to close shop and do a major renovation. Those that do not have reception areas, CRs and other physical requirement need to make space from existing room accommodation. There are also those who are renting the business; who will spend for the renovation, the lessor or the lessee? As it stands, Puerto Galera will be lucky if 100 accommodation establishments can get accredited before January of 2020. That means more than 250 others must find a way to legally operate or face closure. This will ultimately affect not only the private sector but also the local government as nearly 40% of their revenues from taxes, fees and charges come from business establishments. But the greatest effect will be on the tourist industry. During the high season, an estimated 5000 tourists visit Puerto Galera every weekend; and there is no way that a small number of accredited establishments can accommodate them. This grim scenario is not paranoia and it might even be an understatement given that so far less than 20 establishments are DOT accredited with only 4 months to go. The first solution is to convince the DOT to accept the Basic Registration as sufficient first installment to get a Mayor’s permit and giving establishment 1 year to fully comply with all requirements. However, this was rejected by the DOT but there is no harm in trying again. Plan B is to extend the deadline of the Mayor’s permit from January to July of 2020 which will give additional 6 months to establishment owners. Plan C is confidential. But whatever leaders of this town contrive to do, many establishment owners have explored possibilities to circumvent the DOT imposition which I will not discuss further. Regardless, we need to find the best solution, work together, and help the Accommodation Establishment and other Primary Tourism Establishments renew their Mayor’s permit come hell or high water.

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PG Ferry Transport Solution

Noe Lineses — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 04:31:28 +0000

Assessment of the Situation of Services Presently Available vis a vis Current and Future Requirements In the latter part of 2018 and the 1st Qtr. of 2019 there has been a flood of complaints from the traveling public in respect of the ferry services plying the Batangas-Puerto Galera route. The vast majority of travelers on this route are either international or domestic tourists heading for the many beach hotels and resorts that are the primary source of revenue for both the Municipality and residents of Puerto Galera. Many of these tourist arrivals are on long weekend or short stay visits and are therefore particularly sensitive to the long delays that they are currently experiencing due to inadequate availability of passenger ferries. In the way of the modern world, dissatisfied visitors are much given to expressing their complaints through social media. These expressions of discontent are in turn, leading to a significant downturn in the number of visitor arrivals and a consequent loss of revenues for the municipality and its residents. This document is intended to offer some insight into the requirements of serving the particular type of visitor traffic experienced on the Batangas-Puerto Galera route together with some suggestions for actions that might be taken to improve the situation to the benefit of all concerned. Visitor Numbers The chart below represents the monthly profile of monthly tourist arrivals based on an overall number of arrivals for recent years of 270,000. It should be noted that this provides an aggregate number 540,000 of passenger trips per year: From the above data and anecdotal information from ferry operators, the following can be derived: For the high season months, there are approximately 25,000 to 30,000 arrivals per month while low season months attract roughly half of that number. 30,000 visitors per month, however, do not translate into 1,000 per day. Anecdotal information from the ferry operators advises that a large proportion of incoming tourists arrive on Friday and Saturday morning and depart on Sunday afternoon. For extreme peak periods such as Holy Week and Christmas, there is a surge of passengers from Batangas to Puerto on Maundy Thursday or the first day of the declared holiday with a corresponding surge of returning passengers on the last day of the holiday. From all of the above we would conclude that adequate provision should be made for approximately the following numbers of incoming passengers: First / second days extreme peak periods – 6,000 travelers per day Weekdays extreme peak season period – 2,000 travelers per day Friday / Saturday / Sunday peak season period – 2,000 travelers per day Weekdays peak season period – 1,000 travelers per day Friday / Saturday / Sunday low season period -1,000 travelers per day Weekdays low season period – 500 travelers per day In addition to the above the schedule for the incoming trips Batangas – Puerto Galera should be weighted towards mornings whilst the return trips should be weighted to the afternoons and evenings. Vessels Currently in Service Throughout the second half of 2018 and the 1st Qtr. of 2019 various vessels have come and gone from the list of those operating the Batangas-Puerto Galera route. At the end of March 2019 however, the following eight vessels seem to be in function: Batangas to Balatero = 3 RORO and 2 fast craft Batangas to Muelle = 3 fast craft. Typically RORO vessels make the crossing in one and a half to two hours. Of the 5 fast craft vessels making the crossing, three of them take approximately one and a half hours while the remaining two manage the crossing in under one hour. Observations on these craft: At this time there seems to be no data available in respect of how many vehicles are actually transported the 3 RORO craft plying the route. It would seem probable however that there is insufficient vehicle traffic to justify 3 RORO vessels. The RORO vessels currently in use are inherently inappropriate for large volumes of foot passenger traffic. Passengers have to board via the boat deck. Stair access to the passenger deck(s) is narrow, steep and unsuitable for elderly passengers, passengers with young children or with larger items of baggage. Only one of the ‘fast craft’ currently plying the route is properly entitled to the use of the title. The 3 crossing via Muelle pier take as long as the RORO vessels and would, therefore, more properly be described as ‘passenger ferries’. As noted above, the vast majority of travelers on the Batangas-Puerto Galera route are foreign or domestic tourists. That part of their trip which covers the crossing from Batangas to Puerto Galera should not be viewed by travelers as an endurance exercise to be tolerated but rather as a pleasurable part of their visit. To that end many improvements could be made to ease the processing of incoming passengers through Batangas, Balatero and Muelle piers, to wit: Shipping lines should be mandated to implement advance ticketing and/or online booking to the general public (themselves or in partnership with third parties). This is not only for the convenience of travelers, but also to put an end to the current corrupt practice where some shipping lines provide advance bookings to the guests of their preferred resorts or tour agencies, but not to the general public or other resorts. Batangas and Puerto Galera harbor management should stop the barkers from misdirecting the tourists. Numerous reports of barkers steering people away from Ferry Company towards a competitor, engaging in clear deceptive acts. Management need to have an up to date electronic board in the ticketing area showing the actual expected departing time of the boats so that people can make a proper choice. Management must clean up Batangas and Puerto Galera harbor from ticket scalpers and barkers who harass and scam passengers. A system must be established whereby the terminal fee and the EUF can be incorporated in the ferry tickets so that only one queue shall ensue at the pier. In respect of ferry services reasonable objectives these might be defined as follows: Ferry schedules shall be convenient to the travel times and expectations of the traveling public. If there is a schedule published then it is essential for passengers and especially tourists to have reasonable confidence they can rely on it. That embarking and disembarking from ferries is not fraught with hazards. Ferries themselves are safe with good quality safety equipment including life rafts and life belts. Seating is comfortable with adequate legroom and aisles to allow movement around the vessels Toilet facilities should be accessible, clean, functioning and provisioned with handwashing facilities. Conclusions / Recommendations Conclusions: A number of conclusions can be reliably drawn from the information available and in part detailed above, as follows: It is evident that the volume of the passenger and vehicle traffic making the Batangas-Puerto Galera crossing fluctuates greatly, not only through the seasons of the year but also through the days of the week and the hours of the day. For that reason alone it is difficult for ferry operators to provide the type and frequency of service that is best suited to the passengers’ requirements. That the current array of vessels making the Batangas-Puerto Galera crossing are poorly suited to satisfying passenger demand and expectations. That various aspects of the crossing over and above the ferries themselves, namely the conditions, ticketing and traffic management practices at Batangas pier, greatly contribute to traveler dissatisfaction. Consequently, travelers are spreading the news of the various unpleasant experiences that they have endured in making the Batangas-Puerto Galera crossing through social media and that the spreading of the reports of these experiences is having an adverse effect on all businesses and stakeholders within Puerto Galera. In addition we would note that the success of the Seaplane services currently plying the Manila-Puerto Galera route strongly suggests that some people are willing to pay more for well scheduled, fast and convenient travel. Recommendations: Data Collection: More detailed data should be collected in respect to arrivals. Currently, the most accurate and easily collated data is available from the Municipality through the collection of EUF fees. We would suggest that this information is entered into a database which includes Port of arrival as well as the date and time of arrival (am / pm at least). From this information, reports can be generated that will allow the timeline profile of arrivals to be mapped and this, in turn, will allow better scheduling of ferry services. Similar information can be collected for vehicle arrivals to allow scheduling of RORO vessels. Making this information available to ferry operators would assist them in rationalizing their schedules to best effect, both for their own costs and passenger satisfaction. Vessels: Vessels currently plying the route are clearly not well aligned with the needs of the traveling public therefore the various Government agencies, DOT, Marina, PPA and LGU might be encouraged to look more closely at the criteria applied to licensing vessels plying the route. Criteria applicable to these craft might include: – fast craft (crossing time less than 1 hour), regular passenger ferry (crossing time more than 1 hour but less than 2 hours) and Ro Ro vessels. Given the success of Seaplane services an entirely new category of fast ‘water taxi’ service might be considered. Clearly a passenger travel cost via Seaplane is considerably higher than by sea however, the relevant Government Agencies might wish to consider allowing additional categories of ticket pricing for superior services. These should include on-line bookings, strict adherence to schedule and higher levels of passenger comfort. Future Traffic: With the advent of the SLEX and Star Tollway it was commonly voiced by incoming tourists that it was easier and more convenient to travel to Puerto Galera than most of the beach resorts to be found in Batangas or North of Manila. In recent times that advantage that Puerto Galera has held has been lost and it is very evident that, at this point in time, the single most significant constraint to the growth of tourist traffic are the shortcomings of the existing travel arrangement s on the Batangas – Puerto Galera route. Improving these services will inevitably lead to additional numbers of tourists and therefore any upgrades made to those services should be sufficiently flexible to accommodate increased tourist arrivals in line with DOT forecasts. Compiled By: Emmanuel Lineses President, Puerto Galera Tourism Council

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2018 World Congress of MBBW in Penghu, Taiwan

Noe Lineses — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 08:18:56 +0000

2018 World Congress of MBBW was today kicked off by Chen Chu, Secretary-general of the President, Maria das Dores Meira, World Bays President, and the president of Penghu County, and Chen Kuang-Fu, Penghu Magistrate Chen. There are nearly 300 domestic and foreign city representatives from the 30 countries, more than 50 cities gathering in Penghu. The grand event is not only the focus of international attention but also the coral stone structures in Penghu and the natural, environmental protection burdock cakes are on the international stage by the congress. “In Love with the Ocean” is the theme of this congress. Explore the challenges facing the global bay-type cities; Marine Environment, Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development have become the important issues for the development of marine cities. After the wonderful series of panel discussions, at 3pm, the organizer led the distinguished guests t to Nan-liao in person. Through the actual experience of visiting, the characteristics of Penghu and the profound cultural connotation can be more concretely implemented in the local economy and sustainable tourism. The Penghu County Government is committed to promoting community. Nan-liao, which is selected as one of the world’s top 100 green tourism destinations in 2017, is the best demonstration. The community that maintains the traditional rural atmosphere of Penghu can be seen everywhere. Nostalgically, the coral stone structures are actually a coral reef rock mass. The pronunciation in Taiwanese is like a “Lo-Go-Jiou”, which is piled up by the bones of the early seabed corals after death. After hundreds of millions years, the changes in the earth’s crust and the rock formed by the seabed uplift are also one of the most major features in Penghu. The centuries-old Penghu cultural assets, Hsu Fan residence in Nan-liao, are the focus of foreign guests. The ancient house is cleverly used in clay sculptures, painted glazed tiles, shears, cement-plastic horizontal windows, etc., in addition to rich religious implications. It can show the regional style and artistic historical value of Penghu. Not only in the mid-summer, but also in the autumn and winter seasons, Penghu has a unique and fascinating landscape. In the old rural society, “dung fuel” is an important cooking material and boiling water fuel. The villagers dried the burdocks and handcuffed them. They shape as a round cake, then slammed into the coral stone wall, dried to become a “Burdock cake” that can replace firewood. The residents demonstrated the use of burdock cake as fuel and cooked the whole pot of eggs. Many visiting foreign guests appreciated the use of burdock cakes and confirmed the spirit of environmental protection, energy conservation and the protection of the ocean.

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Closing Ceremony 2018 World Congress of MBBW

Noe Lineses — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 08:08:28 +0000

The largest and highest level international event in the history of Penghu, the closing ceremony was held at Lintou Beach tonight, and the highlights were broadcast live. The three-day event was perfectly reproduced, leaving the most valuable impressions for guests from all over the world. The 14th World Congress of MBBW ended successfully. Next year, it will hand over to Toyama Bay, Japan to continue the development of important marine cities such as Marine Environment, Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development. Chen Kuang-Fu, Penghu County magistrate and Maria Das Dores Meira, World Bays President announced the perfect ending of the 2018 World Congress of MBBW. Focusing by international, Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-Fu will submit the flag to the representative of Toyama Bay, Japan and forecast that club of MBBW will advance to another station, set sail with the spirit of loving the ocean, and continue to guard the important mission of the world’s most beautiful bay. The Speaker of the Legislative Yuan, Su Chia-Chyuan, and the former ambassador to France, Lu Ching-long, participated in the grand ceremony and witnessed this historic moment. Chen Kuang-Fu, Penghu County Magistrate o said: “Thanks to all the guests and the media of more than 50 cities for visiting Penghu, we are all striving to protect the ocean. Not only tourists from Taiwan, but also worldwide tourist will not forget the beauty of fascinating Penghu.” In just a few days of visits, Penghu has officially entered the international-level bay. In addition to being a representative of the green economy, Penghu is also the preferred tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Through this international event, Taiwan has become a dignitary economy of ocean and showing the power of sightseeing. The autumn nights of Penghu are cool, and the guests from domestic and abroad enjoy the fresh seafood dishes and chef’s special dishes. The fire dancing art performances are amazing that guests could never take eyes off the performance by the dancers dancing fast and slowly in the flames. All the guests make a perfect ending for the 2018 World Congress of MBBW. 2018 Penghu International Farewell Party hosted in Guanyinting Recreation Area in Magong City at 7pm. There are artists, 911, Jia Jia and many other singers to perform. The colorful lights flashed in the night sky as the music swayed. Another wave of climax was set for the series of the 2018 World’s Most Beautiful Bay Carnival and Congress. The series of activity of The 2018 World Congress of MBBW will last until November 14th and October 1st is the 2018 Global Beauty Queens Finals, followed by a large number of sports events and other rich exhibitions and forums. Welcome all to seize the opportunity and to experience the beauty of autumn in Penghu. For more information please visit “2018 World Congress MBBW” website: http://www.mbbwpenghu.org/tw/ Carnival Series :https://2018mbbwpenghu.org/index More info and concept please visit “The Most Beautiful Bay Carnival in Penghu,Taiwan” fan page: https://www.facebook.com/penghubaytw/

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Noe and Danny at the MBBW Congress, Penghu, Taiwan

Noe Lineses — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 14:55:44 +0000

I got a call from Mr. Hubert d’Aboville, President of the Puerto Galera Most Beautiful Bay Club, about the World Congress last June. He asked me if I could go to Taiwan and to cover the event as a journalist. I was hesitant at first as I have personal matters I needed to attend to. However, in the end, I replied I will consider it. Then came the emails where I was in the list of delegates and a formal invitation from the organizers. The Penghu County and Taiwan Government told me I don’t have to pay for anything; everything will be shouldered by them. Accommodation in a 5-star hotel, free airfare, seafood bonanza and the best tours… who can say NO to that. Now where is that passport? Found it and found that it expired last July 25. So immediately tried to get an online appointment to renew my passport but the earliest available date was sometime October. Called Hubert d’Aboville and he said he will help me through a contact in the DFA. That, however, did not materialize. Wait I have a friend, a fraternity brother who is working in the DFA, actually he is an ambassador. We chatted in messenger and I got my passport renewed in record time. Danny booked with Cebu Pacific and the organizers booked me with Philippine Airlines. Danny told me he will wait for me in Taipei Taoyuan Airport as he was 9 hours ahead of my flight schedule. So off I go… 3 hours later, I was with Danny in Taoyuan Airport. From Taoyuan, we took a 50 minutes bus ride to Songshon Airport which was the place where all the delegates were to assemble for another flight going to Penghu Island. The flight only took 40 minutes and we landed at the airport in Magong which was the main island of Penghu. Danny and I were billeted at the 5-star hotel, Discovery Hotel, which is very near the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, the venue of the Congress. BEAUTIFUL PENGHU How does one describe Penghu – BEAUTIFUL, RELAXING AND DELICIOUS. Situated off the Western coast of mainland Taiwan rests beautiful Penghu, also known as the Pescadores Islands. Penghu is an archipelago of 90 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait. Penghu is rich in history and culture alongside breathtaking ocean views and numerous natural wonders! Currently Taiwan’s best-kept secret, Penghu remains unfamiliar to most international tourists. It is at the moment popular with domestic tourists who flock to the island in the summer months, starting April until September, in hopes of experiencing the sunny coastal charms of the area. Seafood lovers, rejoice! Penghu’s seafood (especially squid) is without a doubt, to die for. An island archipelago in the Taiwanese Strait, Penghu has the perfect access to the wonders of the ocean. They say you haven’t really been to Penghu if you didn’t reward yourself to a seafood feast and have a taste of the ocean as the area is known for its fresh, sweet and succulent seafood. From boiled squid, fresh oysters and grilled clams to uni (sea urchin) fried rice and various shellfish; surely we are in for a good treat! THE HOST OF THE CONGRESS Arriving in Penghu, Danny and I and all the delegates were treated as VIPs. The people were extremely friendly and hospitable although only a few can speak “little” English. I had a translator app in my cellphone and that came really handy if I wanted anything from the staff like a knife and fork in lieu of a chopstick. As a host of the Congress, Penghu has outdone itself – landing in the history of the Club as the most gracious among all hosts of a world congress. They definitely put on a stupendous show and no less than the president of Taiwan, her Excellency, Tsai Ing wen, welcomed the delegates, together with our generous host, Magistrate (Mayor) Chen Kuang-Fu. The ceremony was followed by cultural shows and spectacular fireworks. The difference is clear as it was not a province or a city which was involved in world congress; it was Taiwan at its best. Upon registering, delegates were given coffee table books, colorful brochures, maps, discount cards, gifts and souvenirs. Everything was professionally organized according to international convention norms complete with program books; translation receivers in French, English and Mandarin, and the venues were sprightly and brightly arranged. The organizers invited statesmen, professors and government officials from all over the world to discuss and share their expertise to an eager audience as one by one the topics about marine environment, regional development, and sustainable tourism converged into the congress theme: In Love with the Ocean. The members of the MBBC were keen on imparting what is happening in their bays. Puerto Galera Bay delegate Daniel Enriquez made a presentation about the administration’s flagship project, the Muelle Cultural Heritage Park, which was well-applauded by all. Enriquez concluded his presentation with the children’s books about Puerto Galera’s tourism and environment authored by his sister Luchie Lombos which was again congratulated by the members. After the panel discussions and the enlightening forum, the Penghu government gave us a tour of the island. The sites were fantastic, historical and refreshing. There were natural wonders like the basalt columns and the 400-year old banyan tree, old houses, temples and the food – the food was just amazing. From day one up to our last breakfast, it was all a seafood buffet feast – name it and they got it, prepared by the best Taiwanese chefs. Penghu knows how to entertain its guests with cultural shows, international artists and of course, an all-Filipino band. The closing ceremony was highlighted by the speech of Taiwan’s Legislative Speaker, Su Jia-chyuan, and the much-awaited announcement of Japan’s Toyoma Bay as the venue for the 2019 world congress. The Governor of Toyoma said that they are delighted to be the next host and congratulated the Penghu Government for the most successful, par excellence world congress to date. What we experienced in Penghu is truly a hard act to follow, one that will define the standards of future congresses. We say: We Love Penghu! And Taiwan, truly, the heart of Asia.

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Opening Day of the 2018 World Congress of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World

Noe Lineses — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 01:25:16 +0000

The largest and highest level international event in the history of Penghu was grandly presented at 9 am today. More than 300 guests from domestic and abroad came to the opening ceremony. Chen Chu, Secretary-general to the President, Maria das Dores Meira, World Bays President, and Chen Kuang-Fu, Penghu Magistrate, kicked off The 2018 World Congress of MBBW. World Bays President, Maria das Dores Meira thanked the Penghu County Government for preparing the series of carnival activities. As a guest of Penghu Bay, Taiwan, she felt quite glorious. At the ceremony, the guest jointly signed the Ocean Declaration and declared that they will work to protect marine resources and natural heritage and respect the history and life. Chen Chu, Secretary-general of the President, affirmed the achievements of the Penghu County government in protecting the ocean and promoting the local economy. She also indicated that Taiwan has more than 400 years of cultural trajectory, rich natural marine resources and cultural assets, and the bright and unique Penghu culture is worthy of promotion. Penghu magistrate, Chen Kuang-Fu said that we have done an effort in the sustainable development of the ocean. During my tenure of office, more than 200 environmental fleets continued to clean up the sea drifts. On the seabed garbage removal, the cleaned-up fishing nets are more than 70,000 meters. During the year, tens of millions of fry, shellfish and corals were released, and the sewage treatment was carried out. Penghu County government took more than two years of effort to complete the 30% sewage treatment project. This project is quite difficult, but the team will continue efforts and promised to completely improve the sewage problem within six years, in addition to preventing marine pollution, and also achieving urban greening. Penghu County Government pays attention to the global marine protection, economic development, balances the development of tourism, environmental protection, and carries out the sustainable development of all aspects. The site offers a drifting wood art sailing boat, which enables Penghu illuminated internationally via artistic and cultural exchanges. “In Love with the Ocean” is the theme of this congress. Explore the challenges facing the global bay-type cities; Marine Environment, Sustainable Tourism and Regional Development have become important issues for the development of marine cities. Important speakers are invited, including former OECD representatives. Senator & Chairman of the Senate Committee on Maritime and Climate Change, Palau, Governor of Davao Oriental, Philippines, CEO of Melaka Tourism Board, Malaysia, Minister of Tourism and Environment , Penang, and many important people who are committed to tourism and sustainable development, marine conservation, etc. Establish an interactive platform between the Bay-style cities through the experiences exchange of the congress. During the conference, Global Bays and Harbor Cities Forum, 2018 International Conference on Marine Environment and Climate Change, and Worldwide Ocean Cities Exposition will be held to discuss marine and share innovations in global Bay governance and development. Looking forward to the experience exchange in the international Bay-type cities, get more opportunities for ocean development, and expand the chain between Penghu and the international. World Bays President, various government agencies and thousands of local residents to jointly organize the “2018 World Congress of MBBW “, from 30 countries, more than 50 cities, nearly 300 domestic and foreign city representatives gathering in Penghu. It is not only the focus of international attention, but also the best opportunity for Penghu to the international stage and show the ability of local culture and tourism. Tomorrow (29th) at 10 am, the 2018 Global Tourism Charity Queens Selection Competition will be held. All the national beauty will have wonderful talent show and fashion show. At 10:00 on September 30th, at Stone Weir Square, at 2 pm, photography at Aimen Beach in Lintou, the beautiful scenery of Penghu Beach and the internationally renowned Twin-Hearts Stone Weir by the leadership of the national beauty, it is even more eye-catching. Welcome and Participate in the viewing and enjoy the beauty. For more information please visit “2018 World Congress MBBW” website: http://www.mbbwpenghu.org/tw/ Carnival Series :https://2018mbbwpenghu.org/index More info and concept please visit “The Most Beautiful Bay Carnival in Penghu,Taiwan” fan page: https://www.facebook.com/penghubaytw/

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Lifestyle Investment Puerto Galera Inc.

Noe Lineses — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 08:27:32 +0000

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