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The year about to pass began inauspiciously with the ASEAN summit in Cebu, postponed from December 2006 due to threatening typhoons, then marred by accusations of corruption when it finally pushed through.

But perhaps 2007 will be best remembered as the year when terror – whether caused by extremists or faulty septic tanks – crept right to the doorsteps of Metro Manila, with two explosions on either side of town in the last quarter of the year.

It was also a time for deposed presidents to be convicted and pardoned, the opposition to win the midterm polls, and the local currency to hit its highest level in years, which according to economists was both boon (cushioning the impact of high oil prices) and bane (for overseas workers and exporters).

The top stories for 2007:

• Two blasts in Metro Manila. At Glorietta 2 on Oct. 19, and at the Batasang Pambansa on Nov. 13. Eleven dead in the first, six in the second. The first, according to an official investigation, was caused by an accumulation of deadly gases in the basement of the high-end mall; the second was caused by a bomb planted on a motorcycle allegedly by political rivals of Akbar clan in Basilan. Police and mall owners dispute the cause of the first blast; political rivals of the Akbars deny involvement in the second blast. But police said the first blast was more complicated to solve than the second.
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Local Visa cardholders flying out of Hong Kong and overseas Visa cardholders1 travelling to Hong Kong will have a chance to win a dream vacation to any destination in Asia Pacific or worldwide and receive a special gift when they spend with their Visa cards at Hong Kong International Airport during the festive Christmas and New Year season.

The “Heart-Warming Winter” promotion runs from November 28, 2007 to January 8, 2008. During the period, Visa cardholders can instantly redeem rewards from a series of specially designed “heart-warming” gifts when they spend HK$500 or above with their Visa cards at Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal One or Terminal Two. The eighth lucky traveler to redeem rewards at Terminal Two will receive a special prize – as will the 18th, the 28th, and that of subsequent numbers that end with 8. All overseas cardholders will also receive an additional gift upon each redemption.

In addition, for every HK$800 spent, Visa cardholders will receive one entry to the weekly lucky draw and will also be entered into the Grand Prize lucky draw. Weekly travel prizes include a five-day, four-night Asia Pacific travel package worth HK$50,000, while the Grand Prize will be an eight-day, seven-night travel package worth HK$200,000 to any destination worldwide. The Grand Prize drawing will be held on January 15, 2008.

Cardholders travelling with a Visa card can reduce the hassle and risk of carrying cash. Now, they can also have a chance to win instant prizes, and enjoy a dream vacation to any destination in Asia Pacific or worldwide.

Monday, December 31, 2007 PhilStar News