Waterfront Hotels Welcome Latest Innovation: The Online Press Reader

To continuously take the lead in the country’s hospitality industry despite the tenacious competition, Waterfront Hotels and Casinos introduce its latest innovation in service, the PressReader, which allows guests to find out the latest and hottest news direct from their favorite information provider from anywhere in the world.

With PressReader, Waterfront’s guest may gain access to prominent magazines such as Time, Elle, Vouge, and a lot more. Also, keep updated with current events as top newspaper publications like The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Toronto Star, and so much more are available on PressReader.

“In pursuance of our motto to improve our products and services for guests’ satisfaction, Waterfront has endeavored once again to think of how we can make the hotel experience of our guests better. This is giving more premium to our services by giving them the convenience of being up-to-date with not only the latest news on current events but on other interests as well such as fashion, gardening, technology, etc. a wide array of categories for their reading pleasure,” Maria Socorro Cotelo, Corporate Planning Director of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos, shared.

“We continue to look for the latest technology to enhance our services that are geared towards guests’ satisfaction, always in the look out of new innovations for our guests’ convenience and heighten their hotel experience at the Waterfront,” she added.

Cisitors and guests of Waterfront Hotel and Casinos’ properties in Manila, Cebu and Davao may personalize their PRessReader home feeds with content sources and categories that they personally want such as Business, Entertainment. Sports, Editorial, tc. With this new and hi-tech innovation by Waterfront, guests never miss important and interesting news as popular and trending topics from every corner of the world are found at the app’s home feed stories.

PressReader is without a doubt the most feature-rich and entertaining newspaper and magazine reading App guests may ever use. With this innovation, Waterfront Hotels and Casinos keep their guests connected and updated on any topic under the sun.

Also with PressReader, guests may enjoy the following features:

• Automaticcaly aligning with the beginning of an article using the option SmartZoom feature

• Auto-delivery of your favorite publications

• Authorization of Press Reader with a PressDisplay.com subscription

• Reading publications using the attention grabbing horizontal reading stream, SmartFlow

• Sharing your opinion by supporting or opposing a story

• Adjusting font size and type

The PressReader is now available for download at www.pressreader.com on your smartphones, tablets and eReaders.

*Text and photo by Waterfront Insular Hotel

Holy Week Mall Hours in Davao City

Mall Hours during the Holy Week in Davao City. All of the malls will be closed on Good Friday. Regular mall hours will resume on Black Saturday.

SM Lanang Premier and SM City Davao Ecolond
Both SM Lanang and SM Ecoland will be closed on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Abreeza Ayala Mall
Abreeza will be closed on both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

NCCC Mall of Davao
NCCC Mall will be closed on Good Friday but will open on Maundy Thursday from 9AM to 6PM. Cinema and B3 will be closed.

Gaisano Mall of Davao
GMall Davao will be closed on Good Friday but will open on Maundy Thursday from 10AM to 9PM.

10 Must-Visit Places in Davao Region

Davao is an easy choice when choosing destinations in Mindanao. From Manila, it is accessible via the international airport in Davao City. From there, other destinations are reachable with a bus, cab, or ferry.   

1. Samal Island Beaches

The Island Garden City of Samal is only ten minutes away by motorboat from Davao City and offers sixty or so beach resorts to choose from. Aside from water sports and activities, Samal also has festivals at different times of the year. For starters, you can catch the Caracoles festival during the last week of April. 

Babu Santa Beach Resort in Talicud Island, Samal

2. Mount Apo

Mount Apo is, the highest mountain in the Philippines. Go peak hopping and experience diverse environments from lush forests, raging waterfalls and calm lakes to rocky sulphur vents.  Tours are available, and provide everything from transportation, guides, and accommodation to give you a hassle free trip. 

Mt. Apo | Photo Credit: Incrediblethots

3. Dahican Beach

Somewhere in Mati, Davao Oriental, you’ll find the unspoilt beaches of Dahican. When there, you should try skim boarding along the beach or check out protected pawikan nursery pens. From Davao City, take a bus to Mati then a habal-habal to Dahican to start your adventure. 

Dahican Beach

4. Balut Island

Balut Island is a volcanic island in Davao Occidental. It is accessible by boat a five hour boat ride from General Santos City. The trips are scheduled, so better check them beforehand. Once there, you can go island hopping and hot spring sightseeing to your heart’s content. 

Sabang Hot Spring, Balut Island | Photo by Harly Marcuap / Akrosdayunibers.com

5. Kapatagan, Davao del Sur

Kapatagan is a highland destination at the foot of Mount Apo. Try the most expensive type of coffee in the world in the Civet Coffee Farm. If you want solitude, you can always take a walk in the trails under the pine trees. From Davao City, take a bus to Digos then ride a public utility van to Kapatagan. 

Camp Sabros, Kapatagan | Photo by Geobert Adan Son

6. Philippine Eagle Center

The Philippine Eagle Center is a conservation and breeding facility that aims not only to study and breed the majestic raptors but also educate the public about these endangered species. From Davao City, take a bus to Calinan where you can ride a pedicab to the Center. 

Philippine Eagle Center

7. Crocodile Park

Only fifteen minutes away from the airport by taxi, the Crocodile Park should be one of the things to check off your list when in Davao. If you’re brave enough, take a picture with a baby croc or just enjoy the other animals in the zoo if you’re just there to enjoy.

  

Crocodile Park

 8. Monfort Bat Cave

Monfort is an unassuming hole in the ground in Samal Island, but it houses the largest colony of fruit bats in the world. It is said that the fruit bats are responsible for the abundance of durian in Davao. The cave is accessible via habal-habal from anywhere in Samal Island.  

Monfort Bat Cave

9. Aliwagwag Falls

Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Davao Oriental consists of 1110 feet of majestically terraced waterfalls. It’s easy to get lost in the moment while watching the water cascade over the numerous rock formations. To get there, take a bus from Davao City to Cateel. Get off Aliwagwag, where the falls are closely situated to the national road. 

 

Aliwagwag Falls | Photo by Harly Marcuap / Akrosdayunibers.com

10. Awao Falls, Monkayo

The trip to Awao falls is not easy, but the moment you reach the falls and see the wispy falling waters and soak yourself in its clear pool, you’ll realize that all the hardship of getting there is worth it. From Davao City, take a bus to Monkayo, then rent a habal-habal to take you to Awao where you’ll trek to the reach the falls. 

Awao Falls

Don’t forget to include Davao in this summer’s itinerary and make your vacation truly unforgettable.

Huge Discounts at Wiltelcom's Anniversary Sale

One of Mindanao's homegrown store, Wiltelcom started its operation in Cotabato City in the late 90's. It opened its first branch in Davao City in 2001 and has continued to provide its customers with top-of-the-line customer service experience. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Wiltelcom in the business. To thank all the patrons of the store, Wiltelcom is currently holding an anniversary sale up to Mach 31 in GMall Davao's atrium.

Representative from the participating brands with their flagship devices

Some of the most interesting gadgets available in the anniversary sale are Gionee's Elife S5.1 which is considered by Guinness as the thinnest phone,   Lenovo's tablet with built-in projector, and other products from brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, Torque, Cherry Mobile, MyPhone, Star Mobile, O+, Arch Mobile, ZTE, Nokia, Huawei and a lot more.

Lenovo's marketing person talks about their slimmest phone

Aside from the huge discounts, Wiltelcom also gives away items like bags, cords, monopods, and other accessories even a brand new phone. So, if you're looking to buy a new gadget, visit Wiltelcom's Anniversary Sale at the atrium of Gaisano Mall of Davao on March 24-31, 2015.

Park Inn Davao's Araw ng Dabaw Promo

Park Inn by Radisson Davao has came up with another exciting offering during the Araw ng Dabaw celebration. Following the concept of the regular Supersize meal, diners get to customize their own set meals with their choice of salad, soup, starter, rice, main course, desserts and drink, coupled with a family size pizza. This dining offer is available for lunch and dinner on the said dates.

Roasted Vegetable with Davao Cheese

“As part of our celebration from March 14 to 16, we are ‘localizing’ our Supersize family meal with select dishes inspired by the flavors of the region,” explains General Manager, Mr. Pavan Kakar.

Included in the salad selection are Pomelo and Green Mango Salad, Native Dried Fish with Pomelo Vinaigrette, and Roasted Vegetables with Davao Cheese. For main course, the diners may choose from Beef Kare-Kare, Native Banana Stuffed Squid, Twice-cooked Chicken with Orange Glaze, and Vegetable and Tofu in Garlic Butter. The pizza served with the meal is cooked together with cuts of grilled chicken.

Native Dried fish with Pomelo Vinaigrette

Pomelo & Green mango salad

Native Banana Stuffed Squid

Twice cooked chicken with Orange Glaze

Grilled Chicken Pizza

Buko Pandan Jelly

For only PhP1,699.00 net, diners can enjoy these delectable dishes good for 6 persons. Their kitchen team is headed by Sous Chef Maria Cristina "Teng" Collantes. She's able to add twist to some of our all-time local favorites.

For reservations and inquiries, call 63 82 272 7600. Follow @parkinndavao on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get updates on new offers and special promotions.

Visit Davao Fun Sale 2015 : Big in Adventure, Shopping, Dining and Fun

As part of the Visit Philippines Year 2015, Davao Tourism is launching the Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) 2015. This is an exciting tourism campaign for Davao City this summer, covering all sectors of tourism from tours, accommodation facilities, dining, shopping, and adventure. VDFS will be all about "big in adventure, shopping, dining and fun."

VDSF is a 6-week campaign promoting Davao City as a travel and tours destination. It will commence on April 3 and will end on May 17, 2015. This is the second year of the campaign and it gets better this year. VDFS 2015 is participated by Travel and Tours Agency, Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants and Entertainment Groups, Malls and Shopping Centers, M.I.C.E. Organizers Ventures Davao and Davao Wellness Association.

Davao Fun Tours and Fun Packages

This year, a number of FUN Tours and FUN Packages are being organized by the VDFS Tours Consortium composed of tour operators in the city. Both local and foreign tourists may avail of the discounted city and adventure tours and discount packages on accommodation facilities by booking through the VDFS portal at vdfs.discoverdavao.com.

Davao Fun-Fabulous Packages - For As Low As Php4190

Davao Funtastic Packages - For As Low As Php3728

Davao Fun Affordable Packages - For As Low As Php2377

Countryside Tour

Davao Delicious Dining

VDFS 2015 is also about food trip! The restaurant Owners Association of Davao is coming up with a number of offers from north to south of Davao. Over 100 restaurants are going to participate in the campaign which will offer freebies and discounts as much as 20% discount on one product per day for the duration of the Fun Sale. The participating restaurants are grouped into 12 clusters:

1. Matina Town Square, Matina
2. Damosa Gateway, Lanang
3. Phoenix Mega Station, Lanang
4. The Peak (GMall of Davao)
5. Lanang Business Park
6. Bricklane/Obrero, Palma Gil, Bajada
7. Victoria Plaza Carpark, Bajada
8. Rizal Street
9. Torres Street
10. Roxas Street (with Aldevinco Souvenir Center)
11. Eden Nature Park Area
12. Calinan Area (Malagos Mountain Resort and Philippine Eagle Center)

To avail of the discounts, you simply have to present the VDFS passports which are given for free at the airport, partner hotels and designated booths located in all participating malls.

To give easier access, VDFS will also provide a phone app where you can download the VDFS passport for free. 

VDFS 2015 is a collaborative effort by the City Goverment of Davao - Tourism Office, Office of Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre and the Department of Tourism and the Tourism stakeholders of the city.

For more details, feel free to contact VDFS coordinator, Tessa Piansay at 0998-9783850 or 082-221-6955 and 221-0070 or email her at visitdavaofunsale@yahoo.com

Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel

One of Davao Oriental's most visited natural attractions is Aliwagwag Falls, located in the town of Cateel. Aliwagwag Falls is a cascading waterfall which is surrounded with lush vegetation and is situated just about 30 minutes away from the town proper. 

Aliwagwag Falls | Photo by Harly Marcuap / Akrosdayunibers.com

How to Get There?

You can either go to Cateel via the Compostela Valley Road (quicker) or the Mati Road (longer time travel but more frequent trips). From Davao City, take  a  Mallen Express, Lyra Express, Floremel Express or Bachelor Express bus going to Cateel. These buses have daily trips to Cateel.

Barangay Aliwagwag is about 30 minutes away from the Cateel town proper just along the national highway. You can actually pass Aliwagwag Falls when you take the Compostela Valley Road going to Cateel.