Buhay Disyerto

Dubai: With folk dances and traditional performances, the tourism arm of the Philippines government began to promote the country at Global Village on Friday.
The aim was to market the tourism slogan — It’s more fun in the Philippines.
The international slogan was rolled out in international markets by the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) in 2012, the year that the country attracted more than 4,272,811 million tourists.
Speaking to Gulf News, Vice Consul Geronimo Suliguin said, “We are hoping to exceed the number of tourists in 2013.”
Global Village, a premier outdoor cultural, shopping and entertainment venue in the UAE, is visited by more than five million people annually.
The Philippines’ Department of Tourism – Middle East Office, in cooperation with the Filipino community in Dubai and the northern emirates, hopes that the cultural event at Global Village will entice international tourists to visit the Philippines.

Targeted at non-Filipino expatriates, the series of performances at the World Cultural Stage highlight the tourism slogan and campaign and promote the Philippines as a top tourist destination, Suliguin said.

The performances, which involve 65 Filipino organisations and 15 performing groups, will end on March 1.
“These provide a window into the cultural history of the Philippines. We want to drum up awareness about our cultural history,” he said.
Some places like Manila, Bohol, Cebu and Davao are already popular tourist spots, he added.
The performances included Philippine folk dances, Pandanggo Sa Ilaw (dance with lights) and Cariñosa (courtship dance).

Source Gulfnews.com

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Dubai: The lure of cheap tickets left over 60 Filipino expatriates to rue their luck after they learned that a countrywoman who had sold them the deal had taken flight from the country.
The duped residents have all confirmed that the woman, identified as C.R.H, had offered them tickets for December flights to the Philippines for Dh2,800. They said C.R.H. fled the country last month without issuing any valid tickets, pocketing Dh190,400.
Speaking to Gulf News, Raynan, 35, one of the duped residents said he wouldn’t have taken the bait had it not been for a family medical emergency back home. “We weren’t planning on going home this Christmas but due to a family emergency, we had to. I bought the tickets for myself, my wife, and six-month-old child for Dh6,000.”
Raynan handed the money to C.R.H, who introduced herself as a teacher, at Reef Mall.

Source  GulfNews.com … Read the Full Story Here…

Thousands of illegal residents are expected to take advantage of the visa amnesty [in the UAE] for 60-days which begins on Tuesday December 04, 2012.

Violators of the country’s residency law can visit a centre in each Emirate to start the departure process — which will see them leave the country with no ban or overstaying fines to pay.

General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner Affairs (GDRFA) officials confirmed illegal residents will be granted exit permits to leave the country — with all fines waived — upon visiting one of the 10 centres across the country.
Those applying for amnesty will have fingerprints and iris scans taken to ensure there are no pending criminal cases against them.

“The amnesty will start today and will last for 60 days, giving time for all illegal residents and visitors to leave the country without penalties,” officials said.

Source GulfNews.com

Dubai, UAE – After the successful run of the Rakrakan series and Showtime Live in Dubai in the recent years, The Filipino Channel is hosting yet another memorable and ingenious way to thank the thousands of ‘kapamilya’ for their continued support for the year that was. On November 9 (Friday), ABS-CBN Middle East in partnership with the Filipino organizations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will be offering the TFC Kabayan Serbisyo Fair 2012.

Dubai, UAE – In celebration of TV Patrol’s 25^th anniversary and Balitang Middle East’s (Middle East News) decade of public service, TFC brings three big names in the Philippine news industry to kick-off the most successful citizen journalism campaign in the country, the Bayan Mo iPatrol Mo, to the Middle East.

No less than ABS-CBN News & Current Affairs’ Senior Vice President Ging Reyes, TV Patrol (ABS-CBN primetime news program) anchor and radio commentator Ted Failon and Europe & Middle East News Bureau Chief Danny Buenafe will be presiding the workshop for attendees to become a bona fide BayanPatroller (or citizen patroller).

In the Philippines, ABS-CBN pioneered citizen journalism through the same campaign during the 2000s. Now, The Filipino Channel extends the reach of this pioneering initiative to the Middle East via the launch ofBayan Mo iPatrol Mo in Abu Dhabi.

Citizen journalism has changed the game in the public affairs industry as even a mere camera phone can capture news-worthy circumstances caught by private individuals. The Philippines, known for its technology-savvy folks, have used this medium in the recent years to monitor and maintain the integrity of the nation’s elections. Today, the gamut of news being submitted by these “Bayan Patrollers” would range from crimes and accidents, incredible situations and good deeds – all in real-time.

Come November, students, professionals and every member of the Filipino community in the UAE will now have the opportunity to become a citizen journalist – participating in nation building even when away from home. To register and attend the workshop, simply head to the du Forum, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on November 9.

This distinctive session is the highlight of the multitude of public service endeavours of the day collectively known as the TFC Kabayan Serbisyo Fair 2012. Community-centred activities and seminars will be held from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Holding true to the annual year-end thanksgiving tradition of The Filipino Channel – this time along with its banner news program – the event will see various seminars on job hunting, financial management and entrepreneurship tips to name a few.

Admission is free and a complimentary shuttle to and from the venue will be provided at key areas.

About November 9’s evening entertainment

The evening of November 9 will see four powerful performers Yeng Constantino, Angeline Quinto, Jovit Baldovino and Marcelito Pomoy live onstage of the du Forum, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Regular ticket prices are selling at AED 150 for VIP Seats, AED 100 for Patron Seats and AED 60 for General Admission (Standing). For The Filipino Channel subscribers, TFC Kapamilya Discount may be availed for AED 125, AED 75 and AED 35, respectively. Tickets are now available at various outlets across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain. It can also be purchased online via www.boxofficeme.com. For further inquiries and reservation, call the TFC UAE Toll-Free Hotline at 800-832.

With the venue located only 45-minutes from Dubai, a complimentary transportation will be also provided for the concert goers with pick up and drop off points at key locations. Admission is on a first come, first served basis. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Free entrance for children aged 4 to 7 years (with no reserved seat). And those 3 years old and below will not be admitted. There will be tasty snacks and cooling refreshments inside the venue; outside food and beverages are not allowed.