US Opens Door to More Fresh Sweet Mangoes from PH

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States is opening its door to more fresh sweet mangoes from the Philippines with its recent decision to allow importation of mangoes from basically any area in the archipelago. In a statement, the Philippine Embassy said there is now greater opportunity for mango exports after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently declared that the whole Philippines, with the exception of the island-province of Palawan, is now free from pests, particularly pulp and seed weevil. Agriculture Attache Josyline Javelosa said this market opening presents an opportunity for mango-producing provinces like Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Isabela, Batangas and Tarlac in Luzon; Cebu and Iloilo in the Visayas; and Zamboanga del Norte, North Cotabato and Davao del Sur in Mindanao, to name a few. Javelosa said that Palawan, which was declared by USDA to be free from seed weevil, could still export its mango produce to the US mainland but only after having this go through irradiation treatment. Before this ruling, only mangoes grown in Guimaras, an island in the Visayas that has been recognized as weevil-free, can be exported to the US mainland. Mangoes grown from other parts of the Philippines suspected to have weevils, except Palawan, can be exported only to Guam and Hawaii. Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. welcomed the USDA announcement, saying the ruling can help pave the way for more mango exports from the Philippines. “The decision to expand the list of allowable mango-producing areas to export to the US to almost the entire Philippines can be expected to result in more investments in the sector and at the same time encourage new entrants to allow domestic production to fully satisfy demand,” Ambassador Cuisia said. He said the USDA ruling should also attract other countries in looking into the Philippines as a source of mango supply following the USDA declaration that the country is largely weevil-free as a result of an extensive survey conducted in 79 provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. “Other countries could also refer to this USDA recognition of the Philippines as weevil-free as a basis for adjusting their phytosanitary and importation requirements for our mangoes,” Ambassador Cuisia added. Ambassador Cuisia note d that the Philippine mango is knownworldwide for its superior taste, which should allow it to command a premium price. Agriculture Attache Javelosa said that as a result of the USDA ruling, mangoes grown in areas free from both pulp and seed weevil can now be allowed for export to anywhere in the US and its territories after undergoing vapor-heat treatment or irradiation at 150gy, pre-clearance procedures and other phytosanitary requirements effective 1 October 2014. Javelosa pointed out that the USDA ruling also establishes a lower irradiation dose as a treatment for mango pulp weevil at 165gy from the generic dose of 300gy. She said that mango growers in Palawan will benefit from this ruling as it offers them a less costly treatment compared to irradiation at the higher dose. According to the Bureau of Plant Industry, the major regular and lucrative markets for Philippine mangoes are Japan and South Korea, which accounted for 29 percent or 5,363 metric tons of the total Philippine mango export volume of 18,440 metric tons in 2012. The rest of the country’s fresh mango produce was exported to Hong Kong, China, Singapore, New Zealand, the Middle East and Canada, among other markets. In a recent Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) case study of the Philippine mango industry authored by Briones, Turingan and Rakotoarisoa, several on-going initiatives were identified to help new investors in mango exporting and processing. These include the nationwide farmers’ registry being developed by the Department of Agriculture to help locate suppliers with track record of producing good-quality mangoes; research and development efforts to further improve mango production and post-harvest technologies; and extension measures to promote improved technologies for increased yield and quality such as in fertilizer management, integrated pest management and flower induction. ###

 

PHILIPPINES REAPS `DESTINATION OF THE YEAR’ AWARD

MANILA, Philippines— Even one of Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious travel and trade resources agrees: It’s more fun in the Philippines. The country bagged the “Destination of the Year” award during the 25th Annual TTG Travel Awards, the Department of Tourism said in a statement on Thursday. The Philippines was cited as Asia- Pacific’s “Destination of the Year” for 2014 in a ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand, because of its “proactive steps and initiatives toward the development of the travel industry.” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. accepted the award during the ceremony at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Center in Thailand on October 2. “This award belongs to all Filipinos. It is the Filipino people that have ensured the acceptance of ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’ as a true and accurate description of the participative and active role every Filipino plays in ensuring a successful and enjoyable visit to the Philippines,” Jimenez said. The Destination of the Year falls under the Outstanding Achievement Awards. Other categories include Travel Personality of the Year, Best Travel Entrepreneur, Best Marketing and Relationship Effort and BestTrade Supporter. The TTG Travel Awards is one of the most coveted awards in the region’s travel industry, organized by the TTG Asia Media’s Travel Trade Publishing group. The recognition is seen as a big boost for Philippine tourism, especially as the Department of Tourism prepares its “Visit the Philippines” campaign for 2015. “Again, the determination of the Filipino people, coupled with the support of our President, Benigno S. Aquino III, is our inspiration to build a brighter tourism future for the Philippines—an industry that is more profitable and more inclusive,” Jimenez said. Previous top destinations cited by TTG were Singapore in 2010 and 2011, and Thailand in 2012 and 2013.

 

Filipino-American film team brings Manila’s street art scene global

SAN FRANCISCO – International audiences have a rare chance to own seldom seen artworks from the streets of Manila through a new crowdfunding campaign. The Filipino Street Art Project Kickstarter runs through November 7, giving art enthusiasts worldwide the opportunity to own works from over 30 participating Filipino street artists, including stickers, art prints, and canvases. Kimberly Dryden and Austin Smith, co-directors of the Filipino Street Art Project, spent six months documenting the lives of street artists in Manila with a team of Filipino cinematographers and production assistants. The anchor of the project is a feature-length documentary film exploring life in modern Manila through the diverse and intimate stories of four street artists. “There’s so much depth and vitality to the Filipino street art scene. It is growing hand-in-hand with the Philippines as an economic player, giving these artists the opportunity to comment on the incredible social change happening in their communities. We hope by sharing their stories that we spark dialogue around both Filipino issues and the power of public art as a medium,” said Smith, whose mother was born in Pangasinan, a province northwest of Manila. Funds raised through this campaign will be used to finish post-production of the film, with a target release of summer 2015. Like many crowdfunding campaigns, donors will receive rewards depending on their donation level – in this case original artist designs starting at $10. Each donation reward will be accompanied by an interview, photo gallery, and short video of the artist the backer chooses to support. Beyond the film, the Filipino Street Art Project has contributed exhibits to Google’s Street Art Project, featured images in TIME and Esquire, created a set of interactive e-books and hosted live art events at universities. The Filipino Street Art Project is a documentary-based transmedia project that celebrates the power of street art to inform and empower. Using street art as a lens, it explores the culture and sociopolitical environment of the Philippines, an oft-overlooked but rapidly developing country with a long and complex relationship with the U.S..

Photo shows the delegation from Chicago for the HOLD (Handmaids of the Lord) National Conference in Framingham, MA held last month. HOLD is a ministry of the CFC (Couples for Christ). In the photo are: Lydia Sumner, Arlene Salazar, Tess Comprado, Tess Bentley, Elvie Poole, Gloria Austria, Charito Cruz, Frances Rusiana, Bebs Romero, Ellie Denz and Larina Swisher.