Brazilian models Daniel Matsunaga and Fabio Ide at the Eden Nature Park in Davao.

Brazilian hunks and GMA-7 stars, Daniel Matsunaga and Fabio Ide, recently flew to Davao to help promote the “Make It Davao Now!” Tourism campaign initiated by the queen of the south’s premiere luxury hotel, The Marco Polo Davao.

Daniel and Fabio were the celebrity headliners for the group of lifestyle and entertainment press invited for a familiarization tour by Marco Polo Davao’s newly appointed general manager, Mr. Nigel Fisher.

“Marco Polo Davao is part of a movement called ‘Make it Davao Now!’ where key tourism players unite to aggressively promote Davao not only to foreign tourists but to the Filipinos who have yet to visit this beautiful and peaceful city,” shared Nigel.

A metropolitan city at the foot of the archipelago, Davao is bigger than Manila and Cebu in terms of land area and has consistently made it to the list of the Philippines’ top tourism draws and was bestowed by an international publication to be one of the most peaceful and livable cities in Asia.

Marco Polo Davao is owned by Halifax Davao Hotels Inc., chaired by Mr. Carlos Dominguez. The group provides excellent accommodation, facilities and services to travelers visiting Davao, and continues its leadership in the Mindanao market.

Upon arrival, the Brazilian heartthrobs were treated to good food, entertainment and a most relaxing treat at the Marco Polo’s Lazuli Spa. The group also experienced the local Davao nightlife starting with cocktails at the Polo Bistro’s Pool Lounge and a bar-hopping trip at local night spots Fat Bobby’s and Metro Lounge where local fans instantly recognized them and asked for autographs.

Daniel and Fabio just wrapped up their first starring roles in a comedy film called “D’Survivors” coming this March. The film, reminiscent of Joey Gosiengfiao’s “Temptation Island” is directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. and produced by Astral Productions. They are also rumored to be shortlisted as Team Philippines for Season 4 of “The Amazing Race Asia” that will be exclusively shown on AXN later in the year.

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9th Batang QC Olympics

Sports has always been an intrinsic form of entertainment – and that goes back when man first learned to hunt animals, birds and fish. While hunting then was simply for the purpose of gathering food, it developed into a competition, and then as a form of sports – where honesty, fairness, values, professionalism and sportsmanship became its core. It was no longer a matter of winning, but playing fairly well and with all honesty.

Today, sports, like basketball, baseball and volleyball are among the more popular athletic activities and source of entertainment. Sports also develops discipline among those engaged in various athletic activities.

This is what QC Vice Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista is undertaking to put discipline among the youth, and most significantly, to take them away from the pernicious illegal drugs!

And last Feb. 27, 2010, Vice Mayor Bautista launched the 9th Batang QC (Quezon City) Olympics participated by practically all barangays in Quezon City. The fact that it reached this far is an indication that the movement was indeed a success.

Vice Mayor Bautista said: “It is with honor and pride that the QC Olympics has produced top-notch athletes who have excelled in their respective fields in sports. Even if we are already in the Xbox generation, let us not abandon the ideals of honesty and fairness which sports teach us as individuals and as a team.”

Bautista added that sports plays a key role in character building, and by teaching the virtues of dedication, perseverance, fortitude, and self-discipline.

The QC vice mayor also observed that despite the dominance of digital games and virtual sports, “I hope that the Batang QC Olympics continues to offer the values of sportsmanship and build one’s self-identity. And Batang QC has a unifying effect among the citizenry.”

Like a genuine sportsman, Bautista stressed: “Never lose hope no matter how intimidating your adversaries are – and never surrender.”

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Summer Youth Program (SYP 2010) begins in Navotas

The City Government of Navotas is now accepting applicants to get the youth busy this summer vacation. The project, spearheaded by the Office of Youth and Sports, dubbed as Kalinga Sa Kabataang Navoteño is composed of free sports clinic and arts workshop given to residents of Navotas.

Mayor Toby Tiangco said that the program, now on its ninth year, is free of charge and aims to develop a healthy lifestyle, promote camaraderie and sportsmanship and enhance the potentials and talents among the young people of Navotas.

The sports clinic covers Karatedo, Taekwondo, Arnis, Boxing and Swimming lessons with instructors coming from Philippine Karatedo Federation and duly accredited by the Philippine Sports Commission.

The summer workshop for acting, dancing, guitar lesson and basic drawing and lettering is in cooperation with instructors and graduates from the Philippine Education Theater Association.

The activities will start on April 5 up to May 28, 2010.

Tiangco also said the sports clinic and arts workshops are worthwhile summer activity. “It is one way for everybody, particularly the students, to spend the summer vacation constructively,” he said.

The Mayor also said, this summer activities could produce talents from among the city’s residents.

The city government annually appropriates funds for the continuing youth development projects and other related summer youth programs such as Free Sports clinic, Theatrical Workshop, and Inter-Barangay Sports Fest.

A project of the Office of Youth and Sports Affairs and the Public Information Office, interested applicants may apply at the Public Information Office, 1st floor Navotas City Hall.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on March 6 go to Gretchen Barretto, Sony Music exec. Rudy Tee, Mark R. Ablaza, Vicky Amalingan, Roberto Reyes, Meden Espino, Norma Williams, Robald Castillon, Felicidad Tabios, Anacleta Rubang-Velasco, Archie Alemania and Jason Knoch. Happy wedding anniversary to Alex and Ana Cayabyab.