Cebu gets Asean recognition

July 16, 2011
CEBU was formally bestowed the title Asean City of Culture yesterday, in a ceremony attended by ambassadors of some of the bloc’s member-countries.
But Cebuanos were surprised when the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revealed that Cebu shares the title with nine other cities in the Philippines.
Olivia Palala, DFA Office of Association of Southeast Asian Nations Affairs executive director, said other Asean City of Culture cities are: Manila, Angono in Rizal, Angeles in Pampanga, Batangas, Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, Roxas in Capiz, Tagbilaran in Bohol and Tarlac.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines’s Eva Mari Salvador said, though, that only three of the nine are considered the core group.
These are Manila, the country’s capital; Pangasinan because it is where the Asean Ministers for Culture and the Arts first designated the Asean cities of culture; and Cebu.
Logistics
Vigan in Ilocos Sur was considered, but Salvador said the city did not have the logistics to accept the designation.
Salvador clarified that Cebu was given a distinction for its “encompassing richness in culture, heritage and creative arts.”
During his acceptance speech, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said it is the Cebuanos who make Cebu an Asean City of Culture.
Palala said she has high regard for Cebuanos, who have a “flawless command of the English language.”
Culture
Cebu City Councilor Margarita Osmeña, chairperson of the committee on tourism, local and international relations, culture and the arts, made a five-minute presentation of what makes Cebu’s culture rich.
The presentation included the puso (hanging rice), furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue and his products, Jay Aldeguer and the Island Souvenirs business, painters, architects, Cebu’s architecture, the San Diego dancers and the Sto. Niño.
Only five of the 10 Asean members were represented during Cebu City’s acceptance of the City of Culture title at the Radisson Blu Hotel yesterday. These are Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
President Benigno Aquino III and his Cabinet were unable to attend but Sen. Vicente Sotto III came.
Streets
The guests were made to feel they have visited different parts of the city as they dined at tables named after streets, like Colon.
They were also treated to Filipino dishes with a twist. The lunch menu included a starter named “kinilaw utanon ni Bulakna” (Bulakna’s coconut and banana blossom salad); “tinowa ni Rajah Humabon” (chicken soup with chayote); and “pinutos sa gugma ni Hara Humamay” or violet rice topped with steamed fish as the main dish.
The course ended with “kalipay ni Magallanes,” a platter with ube brulee, mango sago and coconut panna cotta.
After the acceptance, the party proceeded to nearby SM City Northwing, for the opening of an exhibit that features the creativity of the Cebuanos in design.
Cary Santiago presented a futuristic version of the Philippine terno, which he called “Mandaragit,” a pair of fitted pants and top with puff sleeves and a train, made with metallic patterns.
Philip Rodriguez also showed off his Filipiniana couture.
The exhibit also showcased furniture pieces by different Cebuano designers, high-end accessories, and unique lamps and figurines made of shells and bronze from Arden.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2011/07/16/cebu-gets-asean-recognition-167165

Recent opinion survey of frequent travelers heading north towards Subic and Clark Pampanga revealed that the number one most frequently visited wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center located in Clark Philippines. Reasons given include good selection of fine vintage as well as affordable wines for everyday drinking also. This wine shop also has a beautiful roof deck lawn which serves as a nice venue for outdoor alfresco dining, cocktail parties and small functions and events. There are five large wine cellars that contain some of the world’s finest wines and rare vintages as well as wines that are excellent value that every wine shoppers love to discover. This wine shop in Clark is frequently visited not only by local residents but also tourists arriving in the Philippines looking to pick up a few bottles of good wine that are not normally available in their home town.

Subic is well known for diving, the sea and water sports that come with the territory. However one thing that Subic is not famous for is dining options. For years, visitors to Subic have complained about the quality of the restaurants and dining establishments but it is only until recently that travelers to Subic discovered the best restaurant to wine and dine, even for visitors with families and children. Now most residents of Subic and also Tarlac and Baguio know of this wine shop in Clark as the best place to buy wines in the Philippines and certainly the best wine shop in Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark Philippines.

Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.

Wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Alsace, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina etc. are well represented in this Clark Wine Shop.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com