Amana, Nature Reserve, Boac, Marinduque

The above three pictures were taken at Yong's Nieva Private Sanctuary in Cawit, Boac, Marinduque.

For a detail description of this one-a-kind project in Marinduque, an eco-friendly project, visit my blog site

http://ourgoldenweddinganniversary.blogspot.com dated 10/24/08

World University Rankings, 2008

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As a member of PAASE (Philippine-American Academy of Science & Engineering),I am still getting e-mails of what is going on in the world of science, engineering and education here in US as well as in the Philippines . The latest discussion is the world university ranking for 2008. Based on the discussions, the organization that do the ranking is not really basing it on facts but probably on financial considerations, since it requires a large amount of money to participate. UP Diliman did not participate this year. I agree with Dr. E Roman, President of UP for her wise decision not to participate. The discussion on UC Berkeley, UP Diliman and U.of Illinois interested me since I am an alumnus from the three universities. I informed all the PAASE members that in my mind, heart and soul UC Berkeley is #1 in my list. Not only did I obtained my master certificate in Business Administration there in 1980, but two of my children also obtained their bachelor degrees there. Later, they obtained their master and law degrees from other universities, but UC Berkeley taught them the basic foundation of their professional life and molded them into useful citizens of the world. So, what is your number #1 university or school? I will be glad to hear of your comments. Cheers to ALL readers of this blog!!

Latest News on Cawit Sea Port and The Airport, Marinduque Island, P.I.

Yesterday, the provincial government website blogged that Cawit Seaport opened last October 8. The MV Rebecca a -4 story roro leaves Cawit Port at 12:00 noon and 8:00PM daily.

In addition, the Masiga airport ( known as the Marinduque airport) in Gasan is scheduled to open the first week of December. Zestair, formerly Asian Spirit will operate air services from Manila. The schedule days are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. A promotional one way fare of 499 pesos plus terminal fee has been announced and must be booked by October 29. For other details visit the airlines website, http://www.zestair.com.ph

This is indeed good news for the tourism business in Marinduque. One question that I had has not been answered by the provincial government. This pertains to the date of the GRAND OPENING of the Elephant Island resort.

I have heard it is a 6-star resort. Anyone knows if this is true? If anybody knows the latest development on Elephant Island please response to the comment box of this blog.

Note: Last week, I received an e-mail from Yong Nieva, that the maiden flight of Zestair from Manila to Marinduque is scheduled for November 15. The promotional round trip fare is only 946 pesos. What a bargain! The flight will leave Manila 11:20AM and will return to Manila at 1:30PM.

Win 2 nights-Stay at Chateau Du Mer, Marinduque

Several months ago, I published a contest for photography experts regarding the two night photographs taken at Chateau Du Mer Beach Resort, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines in my blog site, http://marinduqueawaitsyou.blogspot.com Unfortunately, there were no responses. So, today I am making it easier for everybody to participate in this contest to win a free 2-night stay in the beach house worth $100( about 4600 pesos as of October, 2008). All you have to do is write an essay (not more than 250 words) why you want to visit Marinduque and why you deserve to win the free 2-night stay at the beach resort. The winning essay will be published in my blog/website. The prize is redeemable any time of the year( check for availability 60 days prior to date of arrival) except for the week of Easter and Christmas and expires in December, 2011. Note that the beach house can accommodate 4 adults and 2 children. For detail description of the beach house visit http://chateaudumer.blogspot.com or www.chateaudumer.com

Please submit your essay to tagajaro@comcast.net or type your essay as a comment in my blog site above.

Reasons for Blogging/Tips for Beginners

I was just scanning an article by Susan Gunelius ( About.com) on tips for new bloggers. But before I discussed some of her tips, I know there are three main reasons why people blog.

1. You want to inform and be an expert in your field and perhaps earned income via ads in your blog
2. You want to promote a business. By blogging you will attract clients as well as developed social networks
3. You blog just for the fun of it. You want to share your ideas and opinions. In doing so, you improved your writing style and have fun sharing your ideas and joining discussions on topics you like.

I know there are other reasons why people blog. I will be happy if you share your reasons for blogging. For me my reasons are a combination of #2 and #3. I have no expectations to earn with ads in my blog and website.

Now let me discuss some of the tips for beginner blogger:

1. Be yourself. Your blog is an extension of your self, your brand or niche!
2. Be inviting. Joined social networks ( twitter, face book etc...) to increase traffic
3. Be risky. Try new things like plug ins or sponsor a contest

Speaking of sponsoring a contest, I have published in my blog, a two-nights free stay at my beach house in Marinduque worth $100, for the first person to comment and guess the setting of the two photographs taken at night in the beach house. So far, I have not received any reply. So, to make it easier for everybody, I change the contest. All you have to do is write an essay in not more than 250 words, why you want to visit Marimduque. Conditions for redeeming the prize remain the same.

Last, but not least,

4. Be persistent. Try to update your blog as often as you could. If you run out of ideas, recycle your old blogs. Remember readers do not read at the end of your blog. It is not a book.

There were several other tips in the articles . But the above 4, I consider the basic tips, one must practice to be a good blogger for whatever reason.

Please let me know of other reasons why people blog and also if you have other tips for new bloggers that I have not mentioned above.