This year is the year of the Water Tiger — a year of all types of extremes and fortunes. Take a quick look at your Chinese New Year horoscopes for this year!
Cebu logs 1,013 new cases on January 28
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 January 28, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 1,013 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 618 new recoveries, and 21 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases jumped to 15,136 (from 14,766).
Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 50,768 (+421 new)
– Total recoveries: 41,420 (+249 new)
– Total deaths: 1,571 (+8 new)
– Active cases: 7,777
Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 16,082 (+119 new)
– Total recoveries: 13,721 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 478 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 1,883
Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 14,572 (+128 new)
– Total recoveries: 12,830 (+161 new)
– Total deaths: 451 (+3 new)
– Active cases: 1,291
Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 43,152 (+345 new)
– Total recoveries: 36,341 (+208 new)
– Total deaths: 2,626 (+9 new)
– Active cases: 4,185
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
- Total Active Cases in Cebu: 15,136 (from 14,766)
- Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 124,574 (+1,013 new)
- Total Recoveries in Cebu: 104,312 (+618 new)
- Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,126 (+21 new)
A total of 3,164 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):
Apple is still World’s Most Valuable Brand; TikTok Fastest-Growing Brand
Apple is not just a highly valuable company, but it is also the most valuable brand in the planet, a position it held for five years before reclaiming last year and keeping it this year.
The tech giant’s value in 2022 is now at a whopping USD355 billion (or around PHP 17.75 Trillion), a 35% jump from last year, according to the annual Brand Finance Global 500 index.
Apple was followed by tech companies Amazon and Google, with respective values of USD350 billion and USD263 billion.
Top 10 Most Valuable Brands of 2022:
- Apple
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Walmart
- Samsung
- ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China)
- Huawei
- Verizon
Meanwhile, TikTok is the world’s fastest-growing brand, tripling in brand value over the past year. With an impressive 215% growth, the entertainment app’s brand value has increased to US$59.0 billion in 2022 from US$18.7 billion in 2021.
Highest new entrance to the global ranking, TikTok ranked 18th among the world’s top 500 most valuable brands this year.
With the global pandemic still going on around the world, digital entertainment, social media, and streaming services grew in popularity, and TikTok’s emergence demonstrates how media consumption is changing.
Among COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer came in at number 352 with USD6.3 billion in revenue, while AstraZeneca is at number 407 with USD5.6 billion in revenue.
199 of the entries in the Global 500 list were based in the US, followed by 77 Chinese companies and 31 Japanese firms.
22-Year-Old Student Becomes P51 Million Richer from Selling Selfies
One morning in 2017, an 18-year-old student from Indonesia woke up and decided something bizarre: he would take pictures of himself every day for a school project.
Five years later, he did not expect that his selfie project would make him rich. In total, he earned approximately one million USD, which is 51 million PHP when converted.
How did he do this? Two words abbreviated into three letters: non-fungible tokens, or NFTs.
Yet what’s unique about the story of this now 22-year-old student is that it all started with a prank on the internet.
Ghozali Every day before blowing up
Ghozali Ghozalo is an Indonesian student who thought of taking selfies of himself every day back in 2017 when he was 18 years old.
Originally, the purpose of these selfies was for a video. He planned on making a timelapse of his face throughout the years, and five years later his project was still going strong.
He might have skipped a few days in his journey, but that did not stop him from amassing almost a thousand selfies in his collection.
Then, in 2022, his mind wandered into the depths of the internet. As a joke, he thought of putting his selfies up for sale as an NFT collection on the internet.
In the description of the collection on the OpeanSea profile, it reads, “It’s really a picture of me standing in front of the computer day by day.”
What he didn’t predict was how well it would sell.
Ghozali’s NFT selfies started selling
He put out the sale of his NFTs on the OpenSea marketplace for 3 USD each, and this was back in December 2021.
According to him during one of his interviews, he said that he priced it at 3 USD per piece because he thought nobody would be interested in buying his selfies.
However, this prank of his suddenly made a turn of fortune for him. It first went viral when an Indonesian celebrity chef purchased one.
This celebrity started promoting it online, and his wide reach garnered the interest of others. At one point, the daily average price for one of his selfies became 0.249 ETH, which is approximately $586, or P30 thousand.
Now, he sold P51 million worth of NFTs.
What will he do with the money?
Many news outlets and journalists have talked with him about his newfound wealth. Plus, he has been updating regularly on Twitter about the status of his venture.
At one point, he tweeted, ““Today [I] sold more than 230+ [selfies] and until now I don’t understand why you want to buy #NFT photos of me !!! but [I] thank you guys for 5 years of effort paid off.”
He has not told his parents yet about the money he acquired, as it can be complicated to explain. He said, “to be honest I still haven’t got the courage to tell my parents, they would be wondering where I got the money from.”
Amusingly, the Indonesian government also has their eyes on Ghozali, who gave him advice on how to pay his taxes. He responded, “this is my first tax payment in my life. Of course, I will pay for it because I am a good Indonesian citizen.”
He plans on opening an animation studio of his own, but for now, he is investing his money.
Also read:
Paul Jake’s Castle Shore: Feel Like Royalty by the Sea in Catmon, Cebu
After the disastrous events of Typhoon Odette, everyone would want to relax themselves away from the stress of the city. As what they say, #BangonCebu is out, and #HigdaCebu is in.
What better way to get your mind off the tension than to ease up in the comforts of a house that makes you feel like royalty? While not exactly a castle, Castle Shore in Catmon, Cebu is the place you need to be to feel like royalty by the sea.
Quiet, intimate, and beautifully spacious
Quiet, intimate, and beautifully spacious: these are the three words that Castle Shore describes themselves, and it’s true. The place is perfect for families and big groups, so if a family gathering or a barkada reunion is near the horizon, check this place out.
Walking inside the space will make you feel like you are living in a mansion. The interior is beautifully designed and well-planned. You can sit in comfort on the couch and watch some TV while you chill.
The luxurious rental space has multiple rooms that can fit many people and still feel comfortable. Everything just feels so clean and neat, it makes you feel like a king.
Beach, pool, jacuzzi, and more
The place boasts a beach front view that you can take a dip in if you want your skin to feel the kiss of the ocean. The waters are clear and cool without a doubt. They also have kayaks for the sea lovers who feel adventurous and energetic.
When you are done with the beach, you can move on to their swimming pool. Much like the ocean, you can swim to your hearts content, only this time, you do not have to worry about the waves. Instead, you can simply float your worries away.
At night, you can warm yourself up with their saltwater jacuzzi. The lights of the place are mesmerizing to watch, and just chilling in a jacuzzi makes the experience ten times better.
Do you want to feel the heat of the morning sun? They have a sun lounge deck that you can just relax and take in the sea breeze. Do you want to grill some barbeque for lunch? They also have a grilling area for feasts.
The beach house of Paul Jake
Apparently, this fine property is in the hands of Paul Jake Castillo, known for being the runner-up on Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up. He has acquired many fans because of his looks and his mature view of life.
He has been in many films such as Be Careful with My Heart in 2012, For the Hopeless Romantic in 2015, and much more. So, you can expect an extraordinary experience from someone who understands class and luxury.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
Vacation House Main Features:
- Good for 16-20 guests
- 5 bedrooms
- Bedroom 1: 1 king bed
- Bedroom 2: 1 queen bed, 2 single beds, 1 floor mattress
- Bedroom 3: 1 queen bed, 2 single beds, 1 floor mattress
- Bedroom 4: 2 double beds
- Bedroom 5: 2 double beds
- 6 baths
- Swimming Pool
- Jacuzzi
- Beach
EXCLUSIVE RATES
- Mondays to Thursdays:
- 1-10 pax: P15,000/night
- 11-20 pax: P20,000/night
- Fri-Sun(1-20pax): P25,000/night
- Holidays(1-20pax): P30,000/night
Note:
- In excess of 20 pax, extra headcount fee of P1,000 per person per night (13yo and up) or P500 (4-12yo). Max of 30 persons per night only.
- Some areas/amenities are limited for those booked under the P15,000 (10pax) rate.
- Since this a vacation home rental, walk-ins are not allowed. Prior reservation is required.
OTHER INFORMATION:
- Book now! Click this link first: https://www.airbnb.com/c/ramm357 and sign up. After signing up, head on to this link.
- Email address: [email protected]
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/castleshore.cebu
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact location: Catmon, Cebu – 50 kilometers away from Cebu City (Note: in Google Maps, its plus code is M29C+Q9 Catmon, Cebu)
BY BUS: Catmon is a northern province of Cebu. So, you can reach it by riding a bus that can pass by Catmon in the North Bus Terminal. The place is just by the national highway in Panalipan. According to Google Maps, it is further from the Ocean View Hotel and Beach Resort but does not go past La Casa de Playa. You can look out for local convenience store named Czarnota Store as the place is just across the street from it.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Castle Shore” in Catmon. Parking space is available.
Cebu logs 1,142 new cases on January 27
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 January 27, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 1,142 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 723 new recoveries, and 3 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases jumped to 14,766 (from 14,291).
Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 50,347 (+431 new)
– Total recoveries: 41,172 (+158 new)
– Total deaths: 1,563 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 7,612
Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 15,963 (+165 new)
– Total recoveries: 13,721 (+0 new)
– Total deaths: 477 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 1,765
Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 14,452 (+131 new)
– Total recoveries: 12,671 (+114 new)
– Total deaths: 448 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 1,333
Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 42,807 (+415 new)
– Total recoveries: 36,134 (+3451 new)
– Total deaths: 2,617 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 4,056
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
- Total Active Cases in Cebu: 14,766 (from 14,291)
- Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 123,569 (+1,142 new)
- Total Recoveries in Cebu: 103,698 (+1,723 new)
- Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,105 (+3 new)
A total of 3,573 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):
Europe considers new COVID-19 handling strategy— Acceptance
Many countries were overwhelmed by the record number of the covid-19 variant omicron cases and it seems like Europe has had enough.
Gone are the days where panic and strict restriction is the immediate answer to surges in the pandemic as they are now considering the way of “acceptance”.
Spain
Leading this call for a new strategy is Spain. Their government is planning to treat the upcoming covid-19 surges as an illness that is here to stay.
Dr. Salvador Trenche, head of the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine also stated that COVID-19 “must be treated like the rest of illnesses” and that the public should accept that some deaths from COVID-19” will be inevitable”.
Portugal
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa have declared that Portugal had “moved into an endemic phase.” Endemic means a disease that is present permanently in a region or population.
As one of the countries in the world with the highest vaccination rates, their hospitalizations and deaths are much lower compared to previous surges.
United Kingdom
In the UK, mandatory wearing of masks and covid-19 passports will be no more mask-wearing in public places on Jan. 26.
Isolation requirement will also soon follow if their virus data continues to improve according to their Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. He also says to replace legal requirements with advice and guidance as COVID becomes endemic.
Covid-19 is starting to be viewed as an endemic not only in Europe but all over the world.
Sumilon Sandbar, Whale Shark Watching in Oslob re-open a month post-Odette
The Oslob Tourism Office has recently reopened its most-visited tourist attractions — the whale shark watching and Sumilon Sandbar — starting on January 22, 2022.
This marks the start of the gradual recovery of one of the hardest-hit towns by Typhoon Odette last December 16, 2021.
Did you miss the pristine and clear water of sumilon island? How about the world’s famous giant whalesharks? Good news! We’re now opening our door again who wish to see these beautiful tourist attractions of Oslob.
– Oslob Tourism Office on a Facebook post
Now is the time more than ever to support and travel local. Here’s everything you need to know to experience these wonderful attractions in Oslob, Cebu.
Oslob Whale Shark Watching
Witness the peaceful whale sharks in their natural habitat with this whale shark watching tour in Oslob.
SCHEDULE:
• Whale Shark Watching is available daily from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM only.
FEES:
| TOURISTS | INCLUSIONS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Filipino Tourists | Whale watching (no swimming) + Life Jacket | No longer available |
| Filipino Tourists | Snorkeling with the Whale + Life Jacket | ₱500 |
| Foreign Tourists | Snorkeling with the Whale + Life Jacket | ₱500 |
NOTE:
- The activity is good for 30 minutes only.
- Diving and snorkeling are limited in time and people. The activity is by batch.
- TIP: If you don’t want to wait in the line for too long and avoid the horrible traffic in the city and the southern parts, make sure to leave Cebu City or Mactan at around 2 or 3 AM.
THE RULES
- All whale shark watchers must undergo orientation at the Briefing Center on the rules for interaction with whale sharks.
- No feeding of whale sharks by unauthorized personnel.
- Do not touch, ride, or chase a whale shark.
- Do not restrict normal movement or behavior of the shark.
- Do not use flash photography.
- Do not create splash when entering the water.
- Do not wear sunscreen if you are going to enter the water.
- Motor boats are prohibited in the area. Only paddle boats are allowed.
- Viewing is limited to 30 minutes.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 5m from the head, 6m from the tail (this differs from the 2m from the head, and 5m from the tail stated in the ordinance).
HOW TO GET THERE?
BY BUS: From the South Bus Terminal (near Emall), ride a Ceres bus going to “Bato-Oslob”. All buses bound for Oslob operate 24/7. Bus fare is ~₱155 /head (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at the main Whale Shark activity site.
BY CAR: Road trips are fun, especially if you’re going south. Make sure to navigate via Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Oslob Whale Shark Watching”.
Sumilon Sandbar (Day Tour)
Sumilon Island is popular as a small sandbar island perfect for that exclusive beach escapade, very far away from the bustling and stress brought by the city life. With pristine white sand and crystal-clear blue water, the island has been a favorite spot for tourists both local and international.
RATES:
- Sumilon Island Boat Transfer Fee – P1,500 per boat
- Environmental Fee – P50
- Sumilon Island Day-Pass – $30 or P1,440 based on Klook
- Link to Purchasse Bluewater Sumilon Day Pass: Online booking
HOW TO GET THERE:
Exact Location: Sumilon Island, Oslob, Southern Cebu — approx. 3-4 hours away from the city.
BY BUS: From the South Bus Terminal (near Emall), ride a Ceres bus going to “Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort”. All buses bound for Oslob operate 24/7. Bus fare is ~P155 /head (one-way). Inform the driver to drop you off at the main Whale Shark activity site or to the resort you’re heading.
BY CAR: Road trips are fun, especially if you’re going south. Make sure to navigate via Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to “Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort”.
What are Satellite Phones and where to buy them
Traveling is a joy. It’s always a delight to go to new places, have new experiences, and brave the outdoors. Although as much as it is a joy, there are minor inconveniences every now and then.
One such inconvenience that can quickly rise to a matter of safety is phone signal. Sometimes we travel to places with poor or unreliable reception. Especially after typhoon Odette ravaged cellphone towers in Visayas, certain areas still have no cell signal.
The Satellite Phone, or Satphone as others call it, is an excellent solution to this concern. Satphones are reliable communication devices that work just like a keypad phone, except not having to rely on cell towers for signal.
Satellite phones typically work in any geographical area on Earth at any time while you are outdoors.
Emergency calls and location tracker
When our phones can’t find cell signal, we see the warning, “Emergency Calls” only. This means that the phone cannot find signal for your SIM, but emergency calls can still be made by connecting to the next available network tower. Think of it like hitching a ride.
But what if there absolutely no other network towers to hitch a ride on? What if you find yourself traveling to a remote area in the wilderness or in the mountains? Your phone becomes completely useless in this case, and satellite phones will be your saving grace.
Satphones transmit and receive signals via satellites orbiting the earth. Your text or call is sent directly to the nearest satellite, which then sends that signal to the nearest land-based center (gateway), and then the gateway transmits that signal to the receiving phone. This receiving device can be a landline phone, a cellphone, or a satphone.
Most satphones also come with a built-in GPS tracker or a location sender. This allows the would-be recipient of your message to know your general area and will make locating or even rescuing you so much faster.
Coverage over wide locations
A satphone’s biggest benefit is that it is not limited to areas covered by cell towers; it can be used in most geographic locations on the Earth’s surface. As long as you are outdoors, near a window, or under a thin-roofed shelter, the satphone will be reliably usable.
Most satellite phones have near-worldwide coverage, expensive models have global service, while selected satphones have limited area coverage. So, if you’re planning to travel locally, the cheaper models with coverage near the equator will suffice.
A satellite phone is a great investment if you plan to engage in plenty of maritime activities and far inland adventures.
Where to purchase your satphone
There are various service providers and sellers for satellite phones now in the Philippines, from online international traders to local sellers. Even Smart Communications has launched their own satellite phone. There are many places to look, and here are a few to get you started:
- Smart Communications, Inc. has a package starting at ₱38,500: https://smart.com.ph/Satellite/smart-sat/plans-and-rates
- Inmarsat IsatPhone 2 (near global coverage): https://satellitephonestore.com/catalog/sale/details/inmarsat-isatphone-2-satellite-phone-kit-322
- Iridium Extreme 9575 (global coverage): https://satellitephonestore.com/catalog/sale/details/iridium-9575-extreme-satellite-phone-kit-7
- Globalstar GSP-1700 (near global coverage): https://www.globalstar.com/en-us/products/voice-and-data/gsp-1700-mobile-satellite-phone
- Online selling platforms Shopee and Lazada also has listings for satellite phones.
We recommend that everyone considers purchasing a satellite phone. Even when staying at home, satphones can be highly crucial for communication during times of calamity or disasters. It’s definitely another tool that helps ensure your safety at any time.
Get to know the Youngest Woman to fly the world
At just the age of 19, Zara Rutherford has flown around the world solo becoming the youngest woman to do so.
This young pilot who has a dual British-Belgian nationality flew above 41 countries spanning over 52,000 kilometers (32,300 miles) and landed at Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport in western Belgium.
Plagued with challenges like weather, visibility, visas, and unscheduled landing she persevered and completed her journey in making history.
She broke two Guinness World Records and beat the record held by American Shaesta Waiz, who was then 30 as she made her flight.
Rutherford now holds the titles for the (1) Youngest woman to fly around the world solo, (2) First woman to circumnavigate the world in a microlight aircraft, (3) First Belgian to fly around the world alone.
Personal Information
- Born into a family of aviators.
- She holds FAA and UK private pilot licences plus.
- She holds Slovakian and French microlight licences.
- She is a member of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots since 2019
- She hopes to go to university to study computer science/computer engineering.
- One of her biggest dreams along with flying around the world, is to be an astronaut.
Greater visibility for women in aviation
Zara shares on her personal website that she wants to inspire others and encourage girls and young women to pursue their dreams and promote aviation and STEM-related careers (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
“With my flight I want to show young women that they can be bold, ambitious and make their dreams come true.”
– Rutherford