Visa-free entry prvilege for foreign investors of Subic and Clark

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that as an added incentive, foreign investors visiting the Freeport zones in the country – Clark, Pampanga and Subic, Zambalez, can avail of the government’s “visa-free” program. An agreement was signed recently by BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza and Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Benigno Ricafort on the issuance of the visa-free entry privileges to foreign investors who are visiting the two freeports. The agreement signed provides for the officers and personnel of a foreign locator in the two freeports to be allowed to enter and stay in the Philippines without a visa for a period of 14 days. The said privilege however, will be extended only to those who are arriving through the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) or the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA). “The agreement provides that the foreign locator shall vouch for their officers and personnel coming here and shall notify the SBMA chair of CDC president who shall approve the grant of the visa-free entry privilege,” the Bureau of Immigration said. Together with the “visa-free” entry privilege, officers and personnel of foreign location can also apply with the BI for a landed visa. This visa would allow them to travel to other areas in the Philippines for the purpose of exploring investment opportunities outside the Freeport zones. This privilege being given by the BI for foreign locators of Subic and Clark is part of the agency’s thrust in attracting more tourists and investors in the country. For his part, Arreza agree that this will help attract more foreign investors to do business in Subic and Clark, and other parts of the country. It would also send signal to other foreign investors that the government is serious in courting more foreign investment that will create more jobs and improve the economy of the Philippines.

MOTHERS DAY 2012 PROGRAMS AND PACKAGES IN CLARK, PAMPANGA

Mothers Day falls on Sunday, 13th May, 2012.
Pampanga welcomes you to visit Clark Freeport and treat mom to a relaxing and stress-free weekend here.

The famous lake in Clark Pampanga Philippines

Here are some of the programs, packages and promotions that the leading establishments in Pampanga has put together to help visitors celebrate Mothers Day in Clark Freeport, Philippines.

Mothers Day Overnight Package at Clearwater Resort

Clearwater Resort and Country Club offers special Mothers Day overnight packagesinclusive of all three meals for two on 11th through 13th May, 2012. Several options are available to suit the length of stay required for this celebration. For those who are not planning to stay overnight at this resort, they can celebrate Mothers Day with an alfresco dinner by the lake of Clearwater Resort.

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve your package for Mothers Day 2012

Mothers Day Fine Dining at Yats Restaurant

Yats Restaurant and Wine Lounge offers special Mothers Day Dinner, a sumptuous 4-course meal guaranteed to make this year’s Mothers Day a memorable one. Unlike other fine dining establishments that usually raise the price during celebrations, Yats Restaurant has priced this Mothers Day dinner at just php950.

Limited tables available; click here to book your table to celebrate 2012 Mothers Day at Yats Restaurant.

Mothers Day at THE LONDON PUB

Family Resto Bar, THE LONDON PUB offers a special Mothers Day Dinnerfor moms who prefer to celebrate Mothers Day with the family by her side. The London Pub has come up with a special 2012 Mothers Day dinner menu for just php650. Bring mom over to the London Pub and enjoy the English Pub lifestyle for an evening.

Limited tables available; click here to book your table to celebrate 2012 Mothers Day at The London Pub.

Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark Philippines

Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival brings excitement to and attention on Clark Freeport, Pampanga. Clark is normally peaceful and quiet suburban town that Manila residents visit as a getaway destination for day trips and overnight excursions. Situated north of Manila in the province of Pampanga, Clark is very accessible from Manila and Subic.

Special deals, packages, discounts and promos are made available for visitors to enjoy the annual Clark hot air balloon fiesta in style and comfort. Here are some highly recommended packages that smart travelers will take advantage of when attending the 2012 Clark Hot Air Balloon Fiesta:

ROUND TRIP BUS TRANSFER
Convenient Special Round-trip Bus Transfers from Manila

HOT AIR BALLOON LUNCH
Don’t Let Bad Meals Spoil the Fun and Excitement of your trip to Clark.

DAY TOUR EXCURSION PACKAGE
Convenience Package to enjoy the 2012 Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival includes Bus Transfer, Admission Ticket and Lunch.

BREAKFAST BALLOON WATCH AT CLARK WINE CENTER
Observe Hot Air Balloons Take Off While Enjoying Special Dawn Breakfast at the Roof Deck Lawn of Clark Wine Center in advance

HOT AIR BALLOON DINNER 
Afternoon Flight of Hot Air Balloon Special Dinner at nearby Clark Wine Center.

Special Hotel Accommodation Packages at Clearwater Resort
Inclusive of meals and admission tickets to Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival 2012.

Executive Meal Package Inclusive of Admission Ticket
available from popular family resto bar The London Pub in Mimosa, Clark

Reserve Parking Space Now
for 2012 Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival

ADMISSION TICKETS
Purchase your admission tickets in advance to avoid waiting in long lines at the gate during the event.

The 1st ever Film Academy of Pampanga

AMID the rainy weather last Monday, The Film Academy of Pampanga (TFAP) was successfully launched and attended by prominent Kapampangan personalities. It was spearheaded by its chairman Andy Alviz. During the launching, which was at the same time a seminar, a talk on indie-film production was conducted by none other than Cannes Film Festival Best Director Brillante Mendoza. The major component of the talk was Mendoza's proposal to create a TFAP committee composed of academicians from top universities in Pampanga, including the Holy Angel University and the University of the Assumption. This is to facilitate a selection body for a free scriptwriting workshop. The scriptwriting workshop is Mendoza's idea as TFAP's pioneering project, to look for young Kapampangan talents that are into filmmaking and scriptwriting. "I believe that every good filmmaker is a good story-teller. We need to teach aspiring film-makers how to write right and do things that are relevant to their culture and sensibilities," said Mendoza. The scriptwriting workshop will be a competitive workshop open to all Kapampangans aged 18 and above, students and out-of-school youth, or any Kapampangan who has a knack and passion for storytelling. The scriptwriting workshop will be conducted for free by the highly acclaimed screenplay writer Bing Lao. The workshop's location is actually sponsored by Tam Beltran, owner of The Promenade whom, together with Angie Hizon under OKMuisca, also sponsored the TFAP launching. Beltran's facility will house the revered Lao during his stay in Pampanga. Lao will teach 15 qualified students in Pampanga at the Glasshouse in King's Royal for 10 consecutive days. This is an intensive workshop where the final output will be submitted and one of them will be chosen. The winning story will have a chance to become a full-length film to be done by the man himself -- Mendoza -- a very rare opportunity for any amateur filmmaker. The Monday launching was presented with a film co-produced by TFAP played by Kapampangan theater actress Agnes Romero which was entitled "Manenaya". The film was directed by an internationally acclaimed director Richard Soriano Legaspi and Assistant Director and Carlos Palanca Awardee Seymour Barrios Sanches. The cinematographer was maverick photographer Ruston Banal. "I am very thankful that people who are experts in this are helping us eventhough they know for sure we don't have enough funding for it," stated Banal, co-founder of TFAP. On the other hand, Bor Ocampo, the actor who conceptualized the academy, believes that it is now the time to awaken the Kapampangans about urban stories which are very original and can be compared to stories that are world-class. "I hope that Kapampangans will appreciate this germinal idea. It is for all of us," Ocampo added. Present during the event were Teatru Ima at Arti members, business magnate Tess Laus, socialite Divine David Tulio, CKS chairman Robby Tantingco, City Tourism Officers of San Fernando and music composer Landlee Quiwa. The pioneering project will have its final output this coming November and it is hoped to be a very good head start for the academy.

Clark to host 1st ASEAN Kite Festival

The Clark Development Corporation (Tourism Promotions Office) recently linked up with the Department of Tourism in putting together the most colorful event of the year to hit Clark’s skyline - for the first time. It is even expected to challenge the magnitude and enormity of the hot-air ballooning event held in February of each year.

This was the announcement made by Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico of the tourism regional office and Ms. Noemi Garcia of CDC Tourism Office in a press statement issued recently.

Tiotuico said that plans are now afoot to stage the 1st ASEAN Kite Flying Festival on November 25-27, 2011, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. It is expected to enjoin the participation of some 100 international kite flyers and crew from the 10-member countries of the ASEAN bloc. Adding excitement to the event are hundreds of kite flyers from Central Luzon and neighboring regions to participate in a kite-flying competition. Two winners from the competition will be invited to represent the country in the annual Weifang International Kite Festival in China. Thousands of kite enthusiasts and spectators are expected to witness the premier event. To be featured are special shaped kites and stunt kites plus a special event in the evening called night flying – a demonstration of colorfully lighted giant kites. Event coordinator for the ASEAN event is Mr. Orly Ongkiko of Kite Association of the Philippines while Jing Torno of the Kite Team Philippines will handle the school workshops and mall exhibits.

Three weeks prior to the event proper, a series of pre-event activities is slated to be conducted by the members of the Kite Team Philippines to drum up public support for the project. Children in public schools including children with disabilities will be treated to a fun-filled day of kite making workshops, indoor flying and kite photo exhibits at SM City Clark / Pampanga and Marquee Mall. Children will participate in various competitions such as the most colorful kite, the biggest and the best themed kite.

Ms. Garcia expressed the confidence of CDC President Felipe Antonio Remollo that the 1st ASEAN event will propel Clark as the international sports tourism capital in this part of the island. At the moment, a series of sporting activities are already on the pipeline such as weekly baseball and football games participated in by teams from other regions. Last July 8-10, the PALS 2nd Leg Paintball Challenge was held at the Clark parade grounds with some 10 local and international paintball teams vying for the $3,000 championship cash prize. Countries represented include Iran, Japan, United States, Australia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, and Brunei. It was organized by the United Paintballers of the Phils. headed by its President Leonard Sy.

Partner agencies for the kite festival include Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC), Kite Ass. of the Phils., Kite Team Phils., SM City Clark / Pampanga, Marquee Mall, DepEd., Civil Aviation Authority of the Phils. and Air Force City (PAF Clark).