|
Editorial &
Publishing Consultant
|
|
Murray Hertz |
|
President &
Managing Director
|
|
Butch C. Bonsol |
|
Editor
|
|
Agnes M. Abrau
|
|
Managing
Editor
|
|
Francesca L. Ortigas
|
|
Associate
Editors
|
|
Carmencita Acosta
C. Jude Defensor
Jacqueline L. Ong
|
|
Writer/Reporter
|
|
Richard A. Ramos (Cebu)
|
|
Credit &
Collection
|
|
Aldi Lozano
|
|
Circulation
Staff |
|
Narciso Lorete |
WHAT’S ON &
EXPAT is published weekly by
Expat Communications, Inc.
Suite 415 Manila Bank Building
6772 Ayala Avenue Makati City
Telephone Nos: (02)840-2996 • 812-0987 Fax No:
840-2988
Email: expat@pldtdsl.net
whatsonexpat@yahoo.com
Cebu Mailing Address: MJ. Cuenco Avenue
cor. C. Mina St., Mabolo, Cebu City
Telefax: (032) 412-8000
|
|
Luring ...
from page 1
|
be
used to address a taxi driver and the
country’s president with no malice felt.
But in Japan, the word “you” can have as
many as five or more connotations and
usages, easily resulting in
misunderstandings for the non-Japanese
speaker.
He likewise related that some guides also lack creativity and
preparation in their job. Though he did
not specify, some possible examples may
include incomplete information, minimal
usage of visual aids, dry delivery, and
such.
Reality Bites
Another common observation of Fuchigami is that the immediate
surroundings in Mactan Island in Cebu
could use some sprucing up to cope with
those of neighboring countries.
The presence of squatters, nipa huts and garbage piles are a
letdown from the neat airport and
remarkable resort façades, the speaker
said. First impressions are lasting and
while the guests admire the modern
airport, they are quickly dismayed by
the squalor that greets them the minute
they leave the place.
He suggests that the local government does its part in
upgrading the surroundings in order to
present a better impression of the place
in general. This is so since one can
never see such blight spots in
Singapore, Phuket, or Langkawi in
Malaysia.
Another factor which constantly puzzles him is that
very few topnotch hotels and resorts in
the country have a native restaurant.
This is in direct contrast to all other
countries which showcase their native
cuisine to the hilt and do not limit it
to choice items in their continental
food and beverage outlet.
“You go to a five-star hotel in Vietnam and it will
have a Vietnamese restaurant. You go to
hotels in Thailand and they are sure to
have a Thai restaurant. (It’s) the same
in France, Japan, and all other
countries but very few in the
Philippines. Guests always like to taste
the native cuisine of the place.
Filipino food should be promoted,” he
affirmed.
Then there’s the delicate matter of toilets. Fuchigami
declared that no matter how beautiful or
grand the establishment may be, a dirty
toilet is a sure turn-off to the
Japanese visitor. Many regard the toilet
as their first impression of the
establishment, thus necessitating that
management ensure the utmost cleanliness
and sanitation of the place lest
patronage is lost.
This even applies to private dwellings, where a clean
toilet signifies a healthy and happy
family, the speaker revealed while a
dirty toilet connotes a sickly and
untidy brood. |
|
|
|
Though
talks of family planning still rankle most
of the Filipinos—known to have traditional views
on the subject—six parliamentarians from the
European Union pushed for a “rights-based family
planning approach” in the country.
While they stressed that they are not here to meddle with the
government’s policies, the European
parliamentarians received a strong support from
their Philippine counterparts.
The delegation consisted of Anne Van Lancker, member of the
European Parliament from Belgium; Marija
Pavilioniene, member of the Lithuanian
Parliament; Maria Ofelia Moleiro, member of the
Portuguese Parliament; Miguel Angel Martin
Soledad, member of the Spanish Parliament; Kari
Kjonaas Kjos, member of the Norwegian
Parliament; and Gaye Erbatur, member of the
Turkish Parliament. The group left Nov. 10 after
a week-long study tour in the country.
The legislators believed that family planning with
progressive modern methods is “the best way
forward” in ensuring the well-being of women and
the attainment of sustainable growth.
Last Wednesday, Nov. 7, the legislators met with Philippine
representatives at Batasang Pambansa in Quezon
City where they discussed with the Philippine
lawmakers and decision makers reproductive
health and development situation in the country.
One of the recommendations that came up is to
share possible areas of cooperation.
Apart from meeting with members of the House of
Representatives, the European lawmakers also met
with officials of the Department of Health,
members of the civil society, religious groups
and urban poor communities.
In a press statement, Hon. Marija Pavilioniene of Lithuania
said with informed choices, women will be able
to determine the intervals of their pregnancies
and the number of children they will have.
“They will not only remain as productive citizens of their
nations but will eventually be producing quality
human capital,” the Lithuanian legislator said.
“Responsible family planning and the ability
|
|
to make
informed choices are essential for a successful
population policy in a country that grows at
2.36 percent per year,” Hon. Anne Van Lancker
from Belgium said.
Iloilo Representative Janette Garin stressed the European
legislators are not here to seek the legation of
abortion in the country but rather to share
their experiences in “reconciling faith and
sound population management toward the
attainment of national development.”
Citing the 2006 Family Planning Survey, Garin added the
Philippines has a “high mortality rate” of 162
for every 100,000 live births.
“This is one of the reasons why we need a legislated
policy on reproductive health,” Garin said.
Garin is the principal author of House Bill 812
or the Reproductive Health Care Act.
The study tour was co-organized by the European Forum
on Population Development (EPF), a parliamentary
network based in Brussels, Belgium by the
Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population
and Development (PLCPD).
 |
|
Your campaign against the weird practice
of discriminatory pricing is bringing an
important subject to light!
Congratulations. Having been a hotelier
for twenty some years I found a fair
price with good service plus any perks
usually led to success. But old habits
are hard to change! Keep up the good
fight, Murray Hertz!
Dick Taylor
Las Vegas
|
|
|
Interestingly, Fuchigami foresees a slight
downturn of Koreans to the Philippines as early
as next year when the United States would grant
a three-week, visa-free stay for Korean, Guam,
and Saipan nationals in order to speed up more
foreign arrivals into the US.
On Branding
Fuchigami bared that Japanese always go for branded
names, be it a hotel, a chocolate, or a shirt,
since they are assured of the accompanying
quality factor. Unknown products do not sell
much since the Japanese is unfamiliar with the
attributes of the product.
“Japanese would rather not travel if they hear that their
favorite hotel is full. Prices are not a problem
as long as they are assured of the quality.
Luckily, the Filipino ‘hilot’ is fast becoming a
brand name in Japan since it is popular in its
own right and not as a massage method,” he
affirmed.
Another Viewpoint
In a telephone interview with a Cebu-based Japanese industry
leader who declined to be identified, he
acknowledged the problem of language differences
but assured that this was only a minor problem
in Cebu.
“The standard of Japanese-speaking guides in Cebu is generally
positive as the guides know their market well.
Some tour operators have their own in-house
Japanese lessons to improve their services. I
believe that the specific areas which really
need improvement lie in the role of the guide as
an entertainer, and not just a narrator,” the
interviewee said.
As a former high-ranking official of the JATIC, or Japan
Association of Travel Industries in Cebu, the
official related that many guides need to have
more creativity and imagination when informing
the guests of the background data of the various
tourism sights.
“This could be in the form of songs, jokes or
stories. For example, part of the Mactan airport
runway was once a popular hangout for barbecue
and beer. Or that the Tops is a lover’s lane. Or
that a particular hotel was deemed exclusive for
a country during the recent Asean Summit. Guides
should also entertain, and not just inform the
guests,” he revealed.
|
|
On the environmental upkeep, the anonymous
interviewee disclosed that many parts of Cebu
and Mactan are relatively clean, though probably
not up to the standards of cleanliness in the
eyes of the Japanese.
“Cebu is commonly referred to as a resort destination. But
when the Japanese reach the city proper and see
the old buildings and jeepneys, Cebu becomes an
Asian city with the cultural sights and identity
in full view,” he said.
On the topic of the pre-paid bookings made by Koreans,
he acknowledged that such a set-up has always
been the case for hotels regarding new and
unfamiliar clientele. This has since become
almost a standard norm for Cebu’s leading
establishments since the Koreans want a
guarantee on their room bookings.
While some Japanese agencies have a credit line with hotels,
such a case is fast disappearing instead of the
money up front practice of the Koreans. This has
also been a factor in the slowdown of Japanese
arrivals in the country.
Another factor is that China and Eastern Europe, particularly
Czechoslovakia, have been very aggressive in
luring the Japanese visitors due to the product
novelty and diversity.
They offer something new, while little else has changed in the
Philippines for years. Direct flights have also
multiplied in the cities and provinces,
providing better access to Japan. Also getting
into the picture are Cambodia and Vietnam,” he
related.
The official has been connected to a posh resort and a
couple of travel agencies for the past several
years in Cebu. He has served as interpreter for
Japanese groups several times.
In the meantime, Fuchigami stated that the
Philippines, especially Cebu, is still quite
popular for a host of reasons; accessibility,
hospitality, beaches, nature spots, and climate.
“DOT Manila should promote only Cebu due to its strategic
location. Good promotions are needed in order to
fully extol Cebu’s assets. While the image of
the Philippines may be ok, Cebu’s image is very
positive in the eyes of the Japanese,” the
speaker concluded |
|
