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No more curfew in Cebu Province, Mandaue City

Ram Mancelita
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No more curfew in Cebu Province, Mandaue City

Adults in Cebu Province can now spend the night outside their homes without fear of being apprehended by the police.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes lifted the city’s curfew hours last Wednesday, February 16, the day the entire island of Cebu was placed under the less retrictive Alert Level 2.

According to Mayor Cortes, the curfew hours which have been haunting for nearly two years affected a lot of businesses and employees. The previous curfew hours in Mandaue is from 11 PM to 4 AM.

Two days after, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia signed Executive Order No. 5 lifting the province-wide curfew during the implementation of alert level 2 beginning today, February 18, 2022.

Minors or those below 18 years old are still subjected to an 11 PM to 4 AM curfew, unless  accompanied by a parent of legal age or who go out for an essential or work purpose. This policy also applies in Mandaue City.

“With the declining Covid-19 cases within the Province, an increased vaccination coverage, continued implementation of minimum public health standards, and in view of economic considerations, the PGC (Provincial Government of Cebu) finds it prudent to lift its curfew limitations within the Province of Cebu during the implementation of Alert Level 2 in order to begin the shift towards the New Normal,”

As stated on Executive Order No. 5

Amid shift to Alert Level 2, there’s no word on the curfew changes for Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City.

On February 10, the Philippines eased border controls and allowed entry for fully vaccinated tourists to enter the country without undergoing quarantine.

SM Cinemas in Cebu to reopen this February 23

Ram Mancelita
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SM Cinemas in Cebu to reopen this February 23

If there’s one thing we cannot exactly replicate doing at home, it is watching movies on the big screen. Sure, it’s comfortable just lying around at home and pausing the movie when we have to pee but the atmosphere, the surround sound, and just the overall movie theater feels are what we really miss in cinemas.

Photo from Unsplash

Good news! Now that the entire island of Cebu is now under less restrictive Alert Level 2, SM Supermalls announced the re-opening of cinemas after nearly two years.

Photo from Unsplash

SM City Cebu confirmed this news on their Facebook Page while we have yet to wait for the announcement from SM Seaside and SM City Consolacion if they are re-opening their cinemas as well.

You can book a movie online starting on February 23 at www.smcinema.com.

Photo from SM Cinema Cebu

Victoria’s Secret casts first-ever model with Down syndrome

Ram Mancelita
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Victoria’s Secret casts first-ever model with Down syndrome

She is the living testament that dreams do come true and that anything is possible.

Sofía Jirau from Puerto Rico made history in the world of modeling as the first-ever model with Down Syndrome to have Down syndrome. She joined 17 other women models for the brand’s new Love Cloud collection.

Photo from Sofia Jirau Facebook Page

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican model shared this “dream come true” milestone on her Instagram.

“One day I dreamed of it, I worked on it and today it is a dream come true. I can finally tell you my big secret,” Jirau wrote on her Instagram in Spanish. “I am the first Victoria’s Secret model with Down syndrome!”

The new ‘Love Cloud’ underwear collection features 18 women including Sofia who reject limits placed on them by others and basically defy the traditional images of Victoria’s Secret and other brands.

“From the cast of incredible women that bring the collection to life, to the incredible inclusive spirit on set, this campaign is an important part of the new Victoria’s Secret standard we are creating,” said Victoria’s Secret head creative director Raúl Martinez.

Jirau’s charisma and contagious attitude have propelled her forward since she began modeling in Puerto Rico in 2019 — along with her own online business, “Alavett,” named after a word play on her favorite phrase “I love it.” She rose to fame in 2020 during her debut at New York Fashion Week.

Photo from Sofia Jirau Facebook Page

Woman cured of HIV after stem cell transplant

Ram Mancelita
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Woman cured of HIV after stem cell transplant

A leukemia patient in the United States has become the first woman and the third person to date to be cured of HIV after getting a stem cell transplant from a donor who was naturally resistant to the virus that causes AIDS.

Photo from Unsplash

According to a report from Reuters, the case of a middle-aged mixed-race woman, presented in Denver at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, is also the first to use the umbilical cord blood, a newer strategy that could make the treatment more accessible to more individuals.

The patient has remained in remission and clear of the virus for 14 months since getting cord blood to treat her acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer that develops in blood-forming cells in the bone marrow, without the need for potent HIV medications known as antiretroviral therapy.

Photo from Javier Saldeña via TED-Ed YouTube Channel

“This is now the third report of a cure in this setting, and the first in a woman living with HIV,” Sharon Lewin, President-Elect of the International AIDS Society, said in a statement.

The two previous cases involved white and Latino men who had received adult stem cells, which are more commonly used in bone marrow transplants.

This case is part of larger U.S.-funded research led by Dr. Yvonne Bryson of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Dr. Deborah Persaud of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Its goal is to monitor 25 HIV-positive persons who receive a stem cell transplant from umbilical cord blood for the treatment of cancer and other serious illnesses.

Photo from REUTERS/Nacho Doce

The transplantation of HIV-resistant cells, according to the study, is a crucial component of the success. The report also “confirms that a cure for HIV is possible and further strengthens using gene therapy as a viable strategy for an HIV cure,” Lewin said.

Fully vaxxed Filipinos can travel to Singapore starting March 4

Ram Mancelita
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0
Fully vaxxed Filipinos can travel to Singapore starting March 4

How excited are you to travel again?

Beginning March 4, 2022, fully vaccinated Filipinos including tourists will be allowed entry to Singapore as announced by the Singaporean Ministry of Transport.

Photo from Unsplash

This came after the city-state included the Philippines in its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) program, which allows travelers to enter Singapore without having to undergo quarantine on designated VTL flights.

Applications for the Philippines’ Vaccine Travel Pass (VTP) will commence on March 1, 2022 at 10 a.m. (Singapore time).

Changi Airport, Singapore | Photo from Unsplash

“As we learn to live with COVID-19 and Omicron, it is essential that we progressively open our air and sea borders. I hope all Singaporeans will understand and support these steps which will help put our careful and calibrated border re-opening back on track,” Singapore Transport Minister S Iswaran said in a Facebook post.

Apart from the Philippines, Singapore also launched new VTLs to Israel and Hong Kong and deepen existing VTLs with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Marina Bay, Singapore | Photo from Unsplash
Photo from Unsplash

The new Singaporean policy comes less than a week since the Philippines reopened its borders to fully vaccinated foreign travelers, including Singaporeans.

For updated details of the requirements and other information, one may check https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg or Singapore Tourism Board Facebook page.

Cebu logs 109 new cases on February 18

Sugbo.ph Contributor
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1
Cebu logs 109 new cases on February 18

On Friday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of February 18, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 105 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1,585 new recoveries, and 11 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases dropped to 3,067 (from 4,515).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,196 (+42 new)
– Total recoveries: 49,984 (+1,346 new)
– Total deaths: 1,658 (+10 new)
– Active cases: 1,554

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 16,918 (+10 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,227 (+81 new)
– Total deaths: 493 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 198

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,282 (+12 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,552 (+10 new)
– Total deaths: 484 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 246

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 45,677 (+45 new)
– Total recoveries: 41,887 (+148 new)
– Total deaths: 2,721 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 1,069

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 3,067 (from 4,515)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 131,073 (+109 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 122,650 (+1,585 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,356 (+11 new)

A total of 1,530 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

Badian’s Lambug White Beach reopens to public this February 25

Ram Mancelita
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0
Badian’s Lambug White Beach reopens to public this February 25

It’s time for tourism to bounce back!

The Municipality of Badian announced that its famous Lambug White Beach is finally re-opening to the public starting on February 25, 2022. According to Executive Order No. 3, food, drinks, picnic, and tents will be also allowed at assigned areas.

The reopening came two months after Typhoon Odette badly hit the island of Cebu last December 16, 2021, which severely damaged a lot of establishments, especially in southern and metro parts of Cebu, including the town of Badian.

hoto from Badian Lambug Beach Resort and lodges
hoto from Badian Lambug Beach Resort and lodges

LAMBUG BEACH FEES:

  • Entrance fee: ₱45 per head
  • Tent charge: ₱50 per head on weekdays, ₱150 /head on weekends (bring your own tent) — if you are staying near/in a resort.
  • Cottage: ₱500 per day
  • Bus fare: ₱140 /head
  • Tricycle: ₱30 /head

The above rates may change without prior notice. It’s best to call Badian Local Tourism at 0966-556-9065 for any concerns.

Photo by Jerllan Randell Labora
Photo by Jerllan Randell Labora
Photo by Jerllan Randell Labora
Photo from Badian Lambug Beach Resort and lodges
hoto from Badian Lambug Beach Resort and lodges

CANYONEERING ADVENTURE ALSO REOPENS

The Municipality of Badian also announced that the Canyoneering Adventures will also re-open on February 21, 2022.

The new but temporary exit of the Badian Canyoneering Adventure will be along the Kabukalan Spring – Sulsogon access road, but “the tourist has the option to continue the downstream adventure to Kawasan Falls Level 2 only.”

The Canyoneering Adventure package starts at P1,500 per head which already includes the use of protective gears and suits.

PHILIPPINE BORDERS NOW OPEN TO FOREIGN TOURISTS

In hopes to revive the tourism sector and boost the economy, the Philippines opened its borders – including Cebu – to fully vaccinated international tourists without the need to undergo facility-based quarantine since February 10, 2022.

hoto from Badian Lambug Beach Resort and lodges

Approved on January 27, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Resolution 159 suggests acceptance of visa-free travel for short visits from 157 countries with lighter requirements.

HOW TO GET To lambug beach?

Exact location: Brgy. Lambug, Badian, Southern Cebu — 3 hours away from the city.

From the South Bus Terminal, take a bus going to Badian or Oslob. Fare is P140. Tell the bus driver to drop you off at the town center or “lungsod” of Lambug Badian. Travel time is approximately 3 hours.

From the town proper, ride a tricycle going to Lambug Beach. Fare is P30 per person. Travel time is 20-30 minutes.

You can park your car or motorcycles for a very minimal fee.

Also read:

Badian Island Wellness Resort: Luxury Island Retreat in Badian

Meet: Fil-Aussie Melanie Perkins, 3rd Richest Billionaire Woman in Australia

Marel Baluyos
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Meet: Fil-Aussie Melanie Perkins, 3rd Richest Billionaire Woman in Australia

We have all used Canva at some point but did you know that it is co-founded by a Filipina?

Melanie Perkins is a Filipino Australian tech entrepreneur and the co-founder of multi-billion-dollar tech company Canva.

Photo from David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images

Her net worth of $1.3 billion, made her one of the wealthiest women in Australia. According to International Business Times, she is now the third richest woman in the land down under.

She is just 32 years old but owns a company (Canva) that is now worth $6 billion, up from its valuation of $3.2 billion last year.

Born in Perth, Western Australia, Melanie is also one of Pinoy pride. She is the daughter of an Australian-born teacher and a Malaysian engineer with Filipino and Sri Lankan blood.

Photo from CNBC International YouTube Channel

She started Canva with her then-fiancé Cliff Obrecht by creating yearbooks. They launched an online school yearbook design business in 2007 called Fusion Yearbooks.

This program aims to help people who struggle in designing programs making it very simple. To quote them, make the “yearbook creation process easy and fun for everyone”.

Photo from Entrepreneur Asia Pacific

Canva through the years

  • 2010
    • Perkins was invited by Silicon Valley investor Bill Tai to pitch her ideas then connected Perkins to his other high-profile contacts.
    • Hollywood actors Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson both invested in her company.
  • 2013
    • Perkins and Obrecht, along with co-founder Cameron Adams, founded Canva with the help of Google Maps co-founder Lars Rasmussen and tech developer Dave Hearnden.
  • 2021
    • Canva has been named to the Forbes 2021 Cloud 100. Ranking 3rd, Canva is the only Australian-based company to appear in the Top 50, moving up the ranks from 7th place in 2020.
    • Canva’s global team reached to more than 2,500 people with 1,350 new staff joining in 2021 alone. 

No doubt, Canva is an efficient tool in our working lives. It has a user-friendly interface and ready-made templates that makes its millions of users’ life easier.

Bali welcomes first international tourist flight in nearly 2 years

Ram Mancelita
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0
Bali welcomes first international tourist flight in nearly 2 years

Indonesia’s world-famous tropical paradise is finally re-opening its doors after nearly 2 years.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | Photo from Unsplash

Known for its gorgeous beaches and rich culture, Bali welcomed on Wednesday foreign tourists from the first international passenger flight. The Singapore Airlines flight carried 109 international passengers and 47 Indonesians to Bali.

Bali, Indonesia | Photo from Unsplash

In accordance to the country’s travel guidelines, foreign visitors must stay in a quarantine bubble at one of 27 authorized hotels for three to seven days, depending on the number of vaccine doses received.

“I hope that in early March, there will be no more quarantine obligation for tourists as long as they comply with health protocol requirements and show negative test results on departure and arrival,” – Wayan Koster, Bali Governor

Bali Swing | Photo from Unsplash

Singapore Airlines also announced that daily flights between the city-state and Bali will be available to accommodate “high demand.”

Bali Handara Gate | Photo from Unsplash

Other carriers, including Australia’s Jetstar Airways, may also be able to resume flights to the vacation paradise as early as next month.

Photo from Unsplash

Flights have resumed as the Southeast Asian countries relax quarantine laws despite an increase in Covid infections caused by the Omicron form. The Philippines opened its borders – including Cebu – to fully vaccinated international tourists without the need to undergo facility-based quarantine since February 10, 2022.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Bali, head on to this website here.

Cebu logs 105 new cases on February 17

Sugbo.ph Contributor
-
0
Cebu logs 105 new cases on February 17

On Thursday evening, the Department of Health Central Visayas (DOH-7) released its official, consolidated data of the COVID-19 cases in the region as of February 17, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 105 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 843 new recoveries, and 6 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 4,515 (from 5,253).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 53,159 (+37 new)
– Total recoveries: 48,663 (+179 new)
– Total deaths: 1,649 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 2,847

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 16,909 (+13 new)
– Total recoveries: 16,149 (+418 new)
– Total deaths: 493 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 267

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,269 (+13 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,546 (+74 new)
– Total deaths: 483 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 301

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 45,620 (+42 new)
– Total recoveries: 41,737 (+172 new)
– Total deaths: 2,722 (+4 new)
– Active cases: 1,161

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 4,515 (from 5,253)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 130,957 (+105 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 121,095 (+843 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,347 (+6 new)

A total of 1,530 laboratory results were released.

NOTES from DOH-7:

  • *As per DOH-7, the additional deaths in the report are not due to the overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all of those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago.
  • Reports maybe subject to change as these claims undergo thorough validation by the local healthcare offices and health personnel.

DOH-7 FULL REPORT (CENTRAL VISAYAS):

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