JANUARY 22 – 26, 2007 23 rd Meeting in Manila The Philippines hosts…

JANUARY 22 – 26, 2007JANUARY 22 – 26, 2007

2323rdrd

Meeting in ManilaMeeting in Manila

The Philippines hosts…The Philippines hosts…

Tokyo (5 hrs away)

Manila

Seoul (5 hrs away)

Beijing (4.5 hrs away)

Taipei (2 hrs away)

KL (3.5 hrs away)

(3.5 hrs away)

Bangkok (2 hrs away)

Sydney (13 hrs away)

Melbourne (10 hrs away)

Hong Kong (2 hrs away)

Visitors Information on the PhilippinesVisitors Information on the Philippines

Time ZoneTime Zone

One time zone. GMT + 8

Getting ThereGetting There

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premiere gateway. It is served by more than 30 airlines which fly to different cities around the world.

Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, links Manila to 14 cities in 8 countries, www.philippineairlines.com

Visitors Information on the PhilippinesVisitors Information on the Philippines

CurrencyCurrency

Unit of currency: Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Bank notes: P10, P20, P50, P100, P200, P500, P1000. Coins: 5c, 10c, 25c, P1, P5, P10

Foreign currency may be exchanged at your hotel, and in most of the large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops.

Most large stores, restaurants, hotels and resorts accept major credit cards including American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. Traveller’s cheques preferably American Express are accepted at hotels and large department stores. Personal cheques drawn on foreign banks are generally not accepted.

Visitors Information on the PhilippinesVisitors Information on the Philippines

ClimateClimate

The Philippines is tropical with just two seasons. March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool.

Average temperatures: 78 F / 25 C to 90 F / 32 C. Humidity: 77%

What to WearWhat to Wear

Light, casual clothes are recommended. Formal occasions require dinner jackets and ties (or the Philippine Barong Tagalog) for men and cocktail dresses or long gowns for women.

LanguageLanguage

While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino. English is the business language and spoken widely.

Visitors Information on the PhilippinesVisitors Information on the Philippines

Dining OutDining Out

Filipino food is an exotic, tasteful blend of Oriental, European, and American Culinary influences. There is a wide variety of fresh seafood and delectable fruits. First class restaurants offer gourmet specialties as well as Filipino cuisine.

Entertainment and CultureEntertainment and Culture

Metro Manila is the center of entertainment and cultural activities. The premiere venue for the performing arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, features world-class performances by local and international guest artists.

Museums located in Manila and in some parts of the country offer a glimpse of Philippine history and culture. Art galleries exhibit the works of the country’s leading and promising visual artists.

Manila’s nightlife is one of the most vibrant in Asia, reflecting the Filipino’s love for music.

Visitors Information on the PhilippinesVisitors Information on the Philippines

Getting AroundGetting Around

There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila and surprisingly, they are easy to use.

Metered and fixed rate taxis are widely available in key cities nationwide. Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive ways of getting around most places. In Metro Manila, the fastest way of commuting is via the railway system.

Tours and Special Interest Activities Tours and Special Interest Activities

Tour packages, from day trips to five-day programs, are special ways of discovering the Philippines and its wealth of culture. Special interest activities include golfing, game-fishing, diving, white-water rafting and other aquasports, trekking, spelunking, and safari trips.

These activities are accessible to the event venue, a mere 2-3 hours away from the city

Visitors Information on the PhilippinesVisitors Information on the Philippines

The PeopleThe People

The Philippines is known not only for the beauty of its natural environment, but also for the warmth and charm of its people. Filipinos are generally known for their hospitality.

The Philippines’ rich and vibrant culture and tradition reflect a mixture of Malay, Hispanic, and Western influences.

Other InformationOther Information

For more info on the Philippines, please visit www.tourism.gov.ph

Benefits of the Conference/Meeting to the PhilippinesBenefits of the Conference/Meeting to the Philippines

• Networking possibilities in various fields

• Venue for local researchers/academics to present their research and identify future collaborators from leading research and education institutions in the Asia Pacific Region

• Opportunity for local participants to upgrade knowledge on advanced networking technologies

• Media mileage for the country

Ortigas Center, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, Metro Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, PhilippinesManila, Philippines

EDSA Shangri-la Manila is the only deluxe convention hotel in the area with two ballrooms and over 3,000 sq. m. of meeting space13 ideally located function rooms which can be custom-configured and conveniently sub-divided into 20 smaller break-out rooms

Venue InformationVenue Information

658 Guestrooms and Suites that combine cosmopolitan flair with traditional style

Rooms from $100+ (Currently negotiating to $80-90)

Superior Room Premiere Room Executive Suite

All nine (9) function rooms are situated in one level

Can be subdivided into 14 smaller break out rooms

Conference Facilities: Tower Wing Function RoomsConference Facilities: Tower Wing Function Rooms

Conference Facilities: Garden Wing Function RoomsConference Facilities: Garden Wing Function Rooms

Four function rooms are situated in lobby level

Can be subdivided into six (6) smaller break out rooms

Conference Facilities: Tower Wing BallroomsConference Facilities: Tower Wing Ballrooms

1,056 sq m 1400 pax capacity 6.5 m high ceiling Can be sub-divided into three (3) smaller rooms With its own street level entrance

Conference Facilities: Garden Wing BallroomsConference Facilities: Garden Wing Ballrooms

• 415 sq m• Capacity of 400 pax• Can be divided into four (4) smaller rooms• With pre-foyer area• Located at mezzanine of Garden Wing, overlooking the gardens

Other Nearby HotelsOther Nearby Hotels

Richmonde Hotel

Linden Suites

Astoria Plaza Hotel

21 San Miguel Ave., cor. Lourdes St., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, PHI

No. of Rooms: 230

Room Rate: $72 up

37 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, PHI

15 Amber Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, PHI

No. of Rooms: 292

Room Rate: $64 up

No. of Rooms: 128

Room Rate: $63 up

Other Nearby HotelsOther Nearby Hotels

Discovery Suites Hotel

Holiday Inn Galleria Manila

25 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, PHI

One ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, PHI

No. of Rooms: 225

Room Rate: $90 up

No. of Rooms: 297

Room Rate: $78 up

Local OrganizersLocal Organizers

Advanced Science and Technology InstituteAdvanced Science and Technology Institute

Department of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Science and Technology

Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and DevelopmentResearch and Development

University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines

Innove Communications, Inc.Innove Communications, Inc.

See you soon in Manila!!!See you soon in Manila!!!

2323rdrd

Meeting in ManilaMeeting in ManilaJanuary 22-26, 2007January 22-26, 2007