Explore Love and Self-Discovery in 2024: Must-Visit Places from Your Favorite Filipino Movies

Manila, Philippines– As we step into the new year, it's the perfect time to map out your adventures for 2024. If 2023 was all about Revenge Travel to make up for lost time, 2024 is being hailed as the year for more personal travels. Booking.com's Travel Predictions for 2024 suggest a shift towards journeys motivated by a quest for deeper connections and self-discovery.

If you’re already planning your travels to find love or find yourself and need a little inspiration on where to go, here are some Filipino films that not only brought compelling stories of love but also highlighted how the destination itself (and the journey of getting there) is sometimes all that one needs to find what they’re looking for.

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Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte - Broken Hearts Trip (2023)

Maira-ira beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte/ Source: Blue Lagoon Inn and Restaurant, Klook

One of the entries for this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Broken Hearts Trip, is a story about five LGBTQ individuals who are given the chance to heal from their heartbreaks as they journey across the Philippines. One of the spots they explored is Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, often referred to as the "Boracay of the North." Accessible via land and air, Pagudpud is famed for its stunning beaches, including Maira-ira (commonly known as Blue Lagoon), Saud, and Pansian. These beaches boast white sands and emerald waters, making them an ideal retreat for those seeking solitude with their thoughts or desiring more intimate moments with loved ones as unlike other Filipino beach destinations, Pagudpud tends to be less crowded, offering a tranquil escape.

Fujiyoshida City, Japan – When I Met You in Tokyo (2023)

Chureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida City, Japan/ Source: Japan Guide

Another entry from this year’s MMFF brings us not only a tale of finding love at the most unexpected times but finding love in some of the most beautiful places in the world. In When I Met You in Tokyo, two old hearts–one battered and bruised and one lonely and seeking comfort–find each other in Tokyo. While much of the story took place in the Japanese capital, the film also took its audience to Fujiyoshida City and the famous Chureito Pagoda, basking in the majestic view of Mount Fuji. A 2-hour train ride from Tokyo, the city offers spectacular views of the mountain. The best time to visit is either during the cherry blossom season in mid-April or in the first half of November to experience the changing colors of autumn. Here, like the stars of When I Met You in Tokyo, you may be able to find healing from past hurts and discover new beginnings against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful sights in the world.

Sagada, Mountain Province - Write About Love (2019)

Sagada, Mountain Province/ Source: Gem Muzones, Guide to the Philippines

In Write About Love, an aspiring writer sought help from a veteran yet disillusioned indie film writer to complete an unfinished script for a love story. Their collaboration eventually led them to a pilgrimage to Sagada, where upon seeing the magnificent sunset and sea of clouds, allowed the two writers to reconcile their personal issues and figure out the ending for their own love stories. For travellers who want a little more adventure and don’t mind putting in the work just to experience breathtaking views, there’s Sagada. A small town in the mountains of Mountain Province, Sagada requires more than a half day’s ride from Manila and another couple of hours trekking to get to the top of Marlboro Hills, the highest point of the town and provides an unobstructed view of sunrise and a sea of clouds.

San Juan, La Union - I’m Drunk I Love You (2017)

San Juan Beach, La Union/ Source: La Union Tayo.com.ph

A beloved romantic drama film, I’m Drunk I Love You is all about taking the chance before it’s too late. The movie revolves around two college best friends who embarked on a final road trip to San Juan, La Union, aiming to determine if their bond will remain platonic or evolve into something more. While La Union, also known as Elyu, has earned its reputation as one of the Philippines' top surfing spots, "I'm Drunk I Love You" shines a spotlight on the town's laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere. Here, bars resonate with reggae beats, serve delectable food, and are adorned with eclectic decorations reflecting both local and foreign influences.

Beyond the shoreline (surprising as it may sound), you can explore more of La Union's natural beauty by trekking to the impressive 40-feet high Tangadan Falls. With its unique blend of attractions, it's no wonder La Union has become a go-to destination, providing a comforting retreat for many travelers.

Barcelona, Spain - Barcelona: A Love Untold (2016)

Park Güell, Barcelona/ Source: Getty Images, Conde Nast Traveler

Set within the romantic and vibrant city that is Barcelona, Barcelona: A Love Untold is about two people each carrying their own emotional baggage, viewing the city as either a distraction or a chance for a fresh start. Amid the colorful ambiance of the capital of Catalonia, it becomes the setting for two people seeking different things but irresistibly drawn to each other. With Barcelona’s vibrance, it's no wonder that so many people come to immerse themselves in its rich culture. From the stunning mosaics of Park Güell to the timeless art at the Picasso Museum, there's an abundance of beauty to explore and enjoy. Barcelona is not just a city to appreciate art and culture; it's also an ideal place to discover love or realize that, like Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, you're also a beautiful work-in-progress.

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SIGN UP NOW FOR ONE ESPORTS’ ONE TEKKEN TOKYO INVITATIONAL

23 August 2019 – Tokyo, Japan: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), ONE Esports’ upcoming ONE TEKKEN Tokyo Invitational is now searching for the best amateur Tekken players. Taking place at the Bellesalle Shibuya Garden on 5 October, 2019, the JPY 1.5 million 3v3 tournament will see three teams of pros, and the winners of ONE Esports’ Community Tournament competing for the top prize and the honor of being the first winner of the ONE TEKKEN Tokyo Invitational. Carlos Alimurung, CEO of ONE Esports, stated: “ONE Esports’ first ONE TEKKEN Tokyo Invitational tournament is a testament to the quality and pedigree that ONE will bring to the fighting games community. We are pleased to have the best pro and amateur players in the world competing in our tournament, and we look forward to telling their inspirational stories in the way that only ONE can do.” The tournament is part of the two-day ONE Martial Arts Fan Fest, which also features top ONE Championship athletes such as Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez, as well as martial arts legends Rich Franklin and Miesha Tate. Tickets to attend the event are available on LINE Ticket at https://ticket.line.me/sp/ONEChampionship, and on Boardwalk at https://ticket.tickebo.jp/en/ONE-info/ for non-Japanese residents. Tournament Details The Community Tournament will be played in a Single Elimination format, with the winners joining the TEKKEN 7 pro players in a Round Robin match-up before proceeding to a Single Ladder Format for the Finals. Players who are keen to participate will need to form teams of three and register for our Community Tournament here. https://www.oneesports.gg/maff-tekken/. Registration closes on 27 September. The winning team will take home US$9,000 or US$3,000 per player, while the runner-up will get US$4,500 or US$1,500 per player. Prizes for the third and fourth place finishers will get US$1,200 or US$400 per player and US$300 or US$100 per player respectively. ONE Esports is also delighted to announce that top TEKKEN 7 professional players, consisting of Rangchu, Ulsan, Double, and six other players from Asia will be competing for a share of the US$15,000 prize pool at the ONE TEKKEN Tokyo Invitational. The complete list of attending players are as follows: Korea Jeong “Rangchu” Hyeon-ho Lim “Ulsan” Soo-hoon Kang “Chanel” Seong-ho Japan Shoji “Double” Takakubo Kachi “Pekos” Yota Genki “Gen” Kumisaka All Stars Nopparut “Book” Hempamorn, Thailand (More players to be announced at a later date) For more updates on ONE Esports, please visit www.oneesports.gg, follow us on Instagram @oneesportsgg and Facebook on https://www.facebook.com/oneesportsgg. For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™ ONE Championship (ONE) is the largest global sports media property in Asian history, and the largest producer of millennial live sports content in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the Home of Martial Arts, and is the world's largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. ONE hosts the biggest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world's best martial artists and world champions on the largest global media broadcast in Asia. ONE Esports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship, runs Asia's largest global esports Championship Series with some of the biggest blockbuster game titles in the world. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 2.6 billion potential viewers across 140+ countries with some of the largest global broadcasters, including Fox Sports, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Startimes, Thairath TV, Skynet, Mediacorp, Great Sports, Tencent, Star TV, Mediaset Italia, ProSiebenSat.1, Dubai Sports, Turner Sports, and more.

Japan Airlines (JAL) Commemorates its Newly Launched Manila-Tokyo via Haneda Route with its inaugural flight held last February 1

JAL’s Boeing 737 departed Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 for Tokyo marking yet another milestone for Japan’s flag carrier. Photo shows (L-R) Captain Takashi Hatakeyama; JAL Senior Vice President for Asia & Oceania Region Takahisa Hatakeyama; Manila International Airport Authority Terminal 1 Manager Irene Montalbo; JAL Executive Director Tetsuya Onuki; Japan Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Iyori Makoto; JAL General Manager Chikara Mochihara; Japan Airlines Manila Station Manager Koji Yamazaki; and JAL cabin crew Misaki Kobayashi.

Japan Airlines Offers Round-Trip Flights to Tokyo with Year-end Ticket Sale

Japan Airlines’ special fares for all Tokyo bound flights comes at the perfect time as travelers prepare for their 2019 trips. With over 10 non-working holidays in the first half of the year, Filipino travelers will be glad to know that they can start filing their leaves to visit Japan either for winter or their famed spring blossom season for discounted fares.

Tickets go on sale from December 11, 2018 until January 10, 2019 with a travel period of December 11, 2018 to July 31, 2019. Prices are as lows as USD 320 for Economy Class, USD 699 for Premium Economy (applicable only to flight JL742/Narita), and USD 1099 for Business Class.

Apart from Narita, the Japanese flag carrier also launched its newest route from Manila to Tokyo via Haneda which is the only flight that allows passengers leaving from Manila to arrive in Japan early in the morning. With JAL's newest flight route, this allows travelers to make the most of their stay by ensuring they don't lose a day when travelling effectively.

Japan Airlines Philippines’s General Manager, Mr. Chikara Mochihara expressed his excitement over seeing more Filipino travelers heading over to Japan. “With the Japanese government’s effort to boost repeat visitors in the country, we’ve seen more Filipinos acting on their desire to visit Japan as we welcomed the moe than 400,000 tourists from the Philippines in 2017. As the flag carrier, we are very proud to be part of the Filipino tourist’s journey as we extend the Japanese experience from the moment you step on board to the moment you arrive in Japan.”, said Mochihara.

For more booking and sale guidelines, visit Japan Airlines’ website.

DTI Chief Pushes for Pragmatic Direction in RCEP Deal

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez urged his fellow ministers to be more realistic to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP.

Sec. Lopez represented the Philippines (PH) during the 5th RCEP Intercessional Meeting in Tokyo on June 30 to July 2, 2018, where he joined Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock-Hoi, and trade ministers from the 16 RCEP Participating Countries (RPC), namely the ASEAN 10 and ASEAN free trade partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. The group targets to finish negotiations this year to finalize the agreement by next year.

“It is about time that we shift gears and lean towards being more realistic than idealistic. While we attend to our own interests, we should also remember that a mutually-beneficial agreement requires trade-offs,” said Sec. Lopez.

“We should also keep in mind that this mega-regional trade pact should be inclusive and progressive and should cater not only to today's generation but also of the future,” he added.

The free trade agreement that began negotiations in 2013 covers trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement and other issues. On trade in goods, some countries' submissions were still below the targeted 92% for tariff elimination. RPCs committed to submit improved offers by the middle of July.

Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez commended the progress on e-commerce for closing several articles in the RCEP Key Elements Paper. He said that e-commerce significantly lowers the barriers to entry and operating costs for businesses, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which comprise 99.6% of all registered businesses in PH.

The RPCs will meet again in Singapore this August to assess the outcome of the 23rd round of negotiations in Bangkok, Thailand.

Once concluded, RCEP will be one of the biggest free trade agreements with the 16 participating countries accounting for almost half of the world population, 31.6% of global output, 28.5% of global trade, and a fifth of the global foreign direct investment inflows as of 2016.