Information and Guidelines for Participants

•    All Fellows of the first eight groups (2001 to 2008) are eligible to attend with funding from the API Fellowships Program.

•    Fellows from later groups (2009 and 2010) may attend butno funding will be provided by the API Fellowships Program.  Such Fellows have to confirm their attendance with the Central Secretariat as well.

2. Funding

•    For each confirmed participant who lives outside the Philippines, the API Fellowships Program will provide an economy-class round-trip air ticket (at the lowest fare available) from their home country to Manila and hotel accommodations for the duration of the Celebration.

•    For Fellows based in the Philippines (including those in Manila) appropriate travel arrangements will be made and hotel accommodation will be provided.

•    Each API Partner Institution will make travel arrangements for participating Fellows from its own country.

3. Subsidy

Fellows eligible for funding shall be provided with a standard subsidy amount (in Philippine Pesos) to cover costs for ground transportation and meals not provided by the Program.

4. Important Reminder for Presentations

For those who require equipment for slide shows, PowerPoint or other audio-video presentations, please submit your CD, DVD, or video to the Central Secretariat by Friday, May 22 to Michelle Gadja (michellegadja@ymail.com).  This is to enable the Central Secretariat to test your presentation materials in advance.

5. Meals

<Breakfast>

Breakfast buffet is included in the hotel accommodation package and served daily at FAB Restaurant, 4/F Holiday Inn Galleria Manila from 6:00 to 10:00 AM.

<Other Meals>

For the other meals, kindly consult the table below:

<Special Dietary Restrictions>

Your home country PI has already been in touch with you regarding this matter.  In case you have not yet been able to communicate on the subject, please let your PI and the Central        Secretariat (michellegadja@ymail.com) know not later than Friday, 22 May 2010. The Central Secretariat cannot attend to your needs if there is no communication in advance.

6. Smoking

<At the Hotel>

Your home country PI has already been in touch with you on this subject. If you have not gotten in touch with your PI regarding the matter, please do so by Friday, May 22(michellegadja@ymail.com) so that a hotel room can be assigned accordingly.

<At the Ateneo campus>

Philippine law bans smoking in educational institutions.  Thus, participants are advised to refrain from smoking while inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus.  Your cooperation on this matter is greatly appreciated.

7. Worship

<At the Ateneo campus>

Rooms for prayer/worship have been designated in Leong Hall of the Ateneo de Manila University for those who may find the need for these on May 28 and 29.

<Mosque>

The mosque nearest the Hotel is located in the Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Avenue, San Juan City.

<Catholic Church>

There is a Catholic church directly across the Hotel, called the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (more popularly known as EDSA Shrine), located at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue. The schedule for service is posted on the website http://www.edsashrine.com/edsa

8. Weather

Manila’s weather during the month of May falls within the dry season.  The climate is very hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 28 to 37 degrees Celsius, with a chance of rain.  We encourage you to bring an umbrella and/or fan to cope with the heat and the possibility of rain, as the weather can be unpredictable.  It is also important to keep yourself hydrated at all times.

9. Attire

<Friday, May 28>

• You are requested to dress in Business attire during the Symposium.
• You are requested to dress in Business or Formal attire during the Cocktails and Welcome Dinner.

<Saturday, May 29>

• You are requested to dress in Business attire during the Conference.

<Sunday, May 30>

• You are requested to dress comfortably during the Tour of Exhibition Spaces, which will take place on Sunday morning to early afternoon.
• In the evening, you are requested to dress in Formal attire (preferably your respective national dress) for the Closing Program and Closing Dinner.

10. Internet

<At the Hotel>

High-Speed Internet Access will be included in the room package.  In order to request Internet Service, kindly contact the Front Desk for instructions.

<At the Ateneo campus>

Internet Access will be made available in the Rizal Library for May 28 and May 29.

11. Voltage and Adaptor

The Philippines generally uses 220 volts at 60 Hz with the two-prong plug (not polarized or grounded). It might be helpful to have a passive plug adaptor for any plug where one blade is wider than the other (polarized), or has a third round grounding pin. It’s best also to bring such items that work universally such as those electronics marked with a 100V-240V 50/60Hz compatibility to avoid voltage concerns.