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How Marvin Agustin came from being a Celebrity to a successful Restaurateur

Marvin Agustin who all the 90’s baby know as babes with Jolina is now a successful restaurateur.

Photo from Marvin Agustin Facebook Account

A celebrity that have remained humble and hardworking throughout his career is now wonder to excel on his business endeavors as well. While other celebrities may spend their earnings on expensive clothes, bags and cars, Marvin took the long game to financial stability by investing.

He invested his first income as an actor in a rice toppings kart business with his sisters, a doughnut shop franchise, to the oyster and seafood restaurant of his friend and of course in himself by studying culinary.

Photo from Marvin Agustin Facebook Account

He also took up Masters in Entrepreneurship program at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business in July 2014, to keep up and equip himself enough to better manage his business.

Now that is what you call a smart investment.

Start of SumoSam

In was 2005 when Marvin together with his friends Raymond Magdaluyo and Ricky Laudico put up SumoSam. It is a casual-dining Japanese restaurant in Shangri-La mall that they noticed weren’t a thing then.

Photo from Chic Food Trips

“[There’s no] casual-dining Japanese restaurants [in the] malls [before], so we thought of coming up with a concept for one,” – Marvin Agustin

Though there were people who discouraged them at first, they chose to follow their guts and with hard work have become a brand that is one of the biggest Japanese chain restaurants in the Philippines. SumoSam now has 25 branches all over the country.

Other brands established in their company’s portfolio

  • Banzai- buffet-driven restaurant
  • Akira- teppanyaki restaurant
  • John and Yoko and Mr. Kurosawa- high-end fusion restaurants
  • international brands modified to cater the taste of the local market
Photo from SumoSam Facebook Page

Evolution is what Marvin sees as a big factor in the success of their business. Adapting to the changes in the environment as customers can get what they’re looking for somewhere else.

Photo from Marvin Agustin Facebook Account

Investing is truly the smart thing to do may you be a celebrity or just an ordinary citizen.

Cebu logs 233 new cases on February 10

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 10, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 233 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 852 new recoveries, and 8 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases declined to 8,376 (from 8,987).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 52,954 (+99 new)
– Total recoveries: 46,534 (+485 new)
– Total deaths: 1,630 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 4,790

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 16,782 (+22 new)
– Total recoveries: 15,196 (+158 new)
– Total deaths: 485 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 1,101

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,156 (+22 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,110 (+54 new)
– Total deaths: 476 (+2 new)
– Active cases: 570

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 45,114 (+90 new)
– Total recoveries: 40,496 (+155 new)
– Total deaths: 2,703 (+4 new)
– Active cases: 1,915

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 8,376 (from 8,987)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 130,006 (+233 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 116,336 (+852 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,294 (+8 new)

A total of 1,890 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):

Sweden declares the end of COVID-19 pandemic

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The world is gradually moving forward as it opens its borders.

Sweden lifted practically all of its minimum pandemic restrictions on Wednesday and halted most COVID-19 testing despite warnings from scientists and the World Health Organization.

Sweden’s government, which has avoided lockdowns throughout the epidemic in favor of a voluntary approach, declared last week that it would lift the remaining restrictions, thus declaring the pandemic over, citing vaccines and the less severe Omicron variety as reasons.

Bars and restaurants are now allowed to stay open past 11PM with no limit on the number of customers. The usage of vaccination passes and attendance limits for larger indoor events were also lifted.

“As we know this pandemic, I would say it’s over. It’s not over, but as we know it in terms of quick changes and restrictions it is,” she said, adding that COVID would no longer be classified as a danger to society.

Minister of Health Lena Hallengren

In the Philippines, the national government also opened the borders and eased the travel requirements for both domestic and foreign starting on February 10, 2022.

Fully vaccinated foreign travelers are no longer required to undergo a facility-based quarantine while domestic travelers for most tourism sites do not require RT-PCR test.

This approach suggests to be the gradual transition of COVID-19 in the Philippines from pandemic to endemic.

Read more:

Australia welcomes back tourists, to reopen borders on Feb. 21

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Fully vaccinated people can now start to consider traveling to Australia again as it plans to reopen its borders on February 21, 2022.

Photo from Unsplash

Australia had one of the world’s strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions. It started March 2020 when they completely closed their borders.

“It’s almost two years since we took the decision to close the borders to Australia,” – Scott Morrison Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia

Melbourne VIC, Australia | Photo from Unsplash

Now, they are going to end it and allow entry by strictly fully vaccinated tourists only.

With the sight of protecting the island continent against the surging pandemic, Australians went on full lock down and have been barred from leaving most of the time. There were also only a few visitors who have been granted exemptions to enter.

Aerial View of Australian Landmarks | Photo from Unsplash

This action had its consequences though as situations like split families, decline of its large tourist industry and countless bitter debates on Australia’s status.

As with all the nations in the world, their rules and restrictions have been slowly starting to relax especially to long-term residents and students.

Sydney Australia | Photo from Unsplash

The current status sees almost all restrictions lifted. With the abandonment of their long-standing “Covid-zero” policy because of the arrival of Omicron who have swept the world with its very fast transmissibility.

From the Sydney Opera House in New south Wales to the Kangaroo Island in South Australia, let’s just wait a little bit more and we can finally see them and soon travel all of Australia.

Sari-Sari Store transformed into a Coffee Shop, now opens branch in Japan

From an old sari-sari store, a coffee shop emerges.

Photo from Justyn Emthree on Facebook

This is the story of the epic transformation of the store to a coffee shop that has successfully thrived here in the Philippines and have now expanded to another branch in Japan.

Photo from Justyn Emthree on Facebook

A product of siblings, Justyn Emthree and her brothers decided to turn their father’s old sari-sari store into a coffee shop called “Espresso Coffee Shop” in North Fairview.

Inspired by the neon lights of Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Cafe. Justyn who works as a care worker in Japan opened up that the coffee shop became a source of livelihood as her siblings lost their jobs in the Philippines.

Photo from Justyn Emthree on Facebook

Determined to succeed in their business, Justyn’s siblings attended seminars to learn the basics of running a coffee shop business and spent over P100,000 for the renovations of their old store.

Photo from Justyn Emthree on Facebook

With Justyn residing in Japan, she couldn’t manage the coffee shop as much as she’d like to which led her to come up with the idea of expand their business and opening a Japan branch of their brand.

“Base on the Minami Ward where the shop is registered, ESPRESSO COFFEE SHOP is the first Filipino Coffee shop owned by a Filipino Citizen in Yokohama Japan which more customers are not only for Filipino but also all Japanese Citizens,” – Justyn Emthree

Photo from Justyn Emthree on Facebook
Photo from Justyn Emthree on Facebook

Justyn is still a care worker and balances her work as a frontliner and managing her business.

With grit and perseverance, anything is possible. You just have to have the guts to start it.

Get to know Park Solomon: The Ripped ‘All Of Us Are Dead’ Heartthrob

A new high school zombie flick has been making headlines and trending topics across social media.

Photo from lomon991111 on Instagram

“All Of Us Are Dead” have brought entertainment, scare and irritation to netizens but one thing is for sure, you all noticed the heartthrob that is Park Solomon.

We might have a new oppa as Park Solomon is too swoon worthy not to be. He played Lee Soo Hyeok, Hyosan High School’s campus crush who has hidden feelings with their class president Choi Nam Ra played by Cho Yi Hyun.

Photo from lomon991111 on Instagram

Every time he was onscreen made our day as he has this god-tier visuals. And believe that it is not just a few of us but all over the world, everyone was entranced. From over 300,000 followers, Park Solomon’s Instagram jumped to 2.4 million just five days after “All of Us Are Dead” was released.

And there’s more as Solomon who is just 22 years old is very ripped and often updates fans by sharing his exercise drills on Instagram. He is very toned and has perfectly chiseled biceps and shares his workout routine which includes swimming and weightlifting.

He is also active in supporting causes as in 2018, he joined a social media challenge for the benefit of breast cancer patients. The challenge was to do a certain number of weightlifting.

Park Solomon’s Drama list

  • “Bride of the Century”- Choi Kang Joo, Rom-Com series
  • “Legendary Witch”- Ma Do-Hyun
  • “Doctors”- Hong Ji-Hong
  • “Lookout”- Yoon Shi-Wan
  • “Sweet Revenge” – first lead role playing high school student Shin Ji Hoon
  • “Lookism”- Chinese drama (adaptation of a Korean webtoon)
Photo from lomon991111 on Instagram

Handsome, ripped and cares for women causes? It is just right to swoon for this man.

Start your own business with less than P5,000 Capital

While Baguio City is known to be the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines,’ it is also making a buzz now because of her booming trend. A new business has been making waves because of how it has grown with a starting budget of P5,000.

Photo from Bacon Everything.Everything Bacon Facebook Page

Myrah Del Rosario, owner of Everything Bacon shared the story behind her successful business venture. She has popularized the bacon jam business and was not selfish to share how she makes her popular bacon jam.

While it’s not new to us that jam could be spread on breads and biscuits, Everything Bacon’s jam can also be savored with pasta, pizza, and even rice.

Photo from Bacon Everything.Everything Bacon Facebook Page

Yup, you read it right! Since their bacon jam is a perfect mixture of sweet and savory, you will definitely enjoy it with any of the aforementioned.

Photo from Bacon Everything.Everything Bacon Facebook Page

Because of Myrah and her family’s love for bacon, the former decided to take it up a notch and make something new and unique.

“One time, naisipan ko lang maghanap ng bagong recipe na pwedeng gawin sa bacon. Para lang may sometimes different, something na kakaiba. Tapos, nakuha ko yung recipe sa bacon jam,” Myrah shares on Pera Paraan.

Photo from Bacon Everything.Everything Bacon Facebook Page

With a starting capital of P5,000, Everything Bacon is now earning over P30,000 in a month.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BACON JAM

Ingredients:

  • White onion
  • White sugar
  • Spices
  • Maple syrup or honey
  • Water
  • Good quality bacon
Photo from Bacon Everything.Everything Bacon Facebook Page

Procedure:

  1. Chop the bacon and the onions into small pieces.
  2. In a pan, start frying the bacon and add the white onions. Try to use the white onions because it is milder and does not leave a bitter taste than the red onions.
  3. Once everything is cooked, add water and let everything boil.
  4. Let it simmer for about 4 hours until the water has reduced.
  5. After simmering for 4 hours, add in the spices, white sugar, and maple syrup.
  6. Let it cook!
Photo from Bacon Everything.Everything Bacon Facebook Page

Hong Kong crowned as World’s Best Business City

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Hong Kong is considered to be the world’s economic powerhouse after being named as the best business city in the world.

This award was according to the data analytics site Statista in their latest Global Business Cities Ranking list. This has happened even with the Hong Kong’s ongoing tension with mainland China.

Hong Kong | Photo from Unsplash

An analysation of the report was based on the financial powerhouses’ economies, business landscape, societal development, tourism, culture, and their environment.

Hong Kong, after the analysation, came out on top. She bested other big cities like London and Paris.

Here are the Top 8 Best Business Cities:

1. Hong Kong

Hong Kong | Photo from Unsplash
Hong Kong | Photo from Unsplash

2. London

London | Photo from Unsplash
London | Photo from Unsplash
London Tower Bridge | Photo from Unsplash

3. Paris

Paris, France | Photo from Unsplash
Eiffel Paris,France | Photo from Unsplash
Louvre Museum, Paris | Photo from Unsplash

4. Frankfurt

Frankfurt, Germany | Photo from Unsplash
Frankfurt, Germany | Photo from Unsplash
Frankfurt, Germany | Photo from Unsplash

5. Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands | Photo from Unsplash
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Photo from Unsplash
Amsterdam | Photo from Unsplash

6. Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan | Photo from Unsplash
Tokyo, Japan | Photo from Unsplash
Tokyo, Japan | Photo from Unsplash

7. Singapore

Singapore | Photo from Unsplash
Singapore | Photo from Unsplash
Singapore | Photo from Unsplash

8. Oslo

Oslo, Norway | Photo from Unsplash
Oslo, Norway | Photo from Unsplash
Oslo, Norway | Photo from Unsplash

Cebu logs 229 new cases on February 9

On Wednesday 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 9, 2022.

The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 229 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1,068 new recoveries, and 17 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases dropped to 8,987 (from 9,825).

Cebu City
– Total confirmed: 52,855 (+93 new)
– Total recoveries: 46,056 (+521 new)
– Total deaths: 1,628 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 5,171

Lapu-Lapu City
– Total confirmed: 16,760 (+32 new)
– Total recoveries: 15,040 (+126 new)
– Total deaths: 485 (+0 new)
– Active cases: 1,235

Mandaue City
– Total confirmed: 15,134 (+19 new)
– Total recoveries: 14,058 (+125 new)
– Total deaths: 474 (+1 new)
– Active cases: 602

Cebu Province
– Total confirmed: 45,023 (+85 new)
– Total recoveries: 40,345 (+296 new)
– Total deaths: 2,699 (+15 new)
– Active cases: 1,979

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:

  • Total Active Cases in Cebu: 8,987 (from 9,825)
  • Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 129,772 (+229 new)
  • Total Recoveries in Cebu: 115,499 (+1,068 new)
  • Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,286 (+17 new)

A total of 1,887 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):

Survey: Who are your Cebu Governor & Vice Governor for 2022 Elections?

Elections 2022 is just around the corner.

Voters selected from among candidates for all local positions: a town mayor, vice mayor, and town councilors, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the vice governor, governor, and representatives for the seven districts of Cebu (including two districts of Cebu City, the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City and the lone district of Mandaue City).

Cebu Governor

Joseph Felix “Ace” Durano, a former representative of Cebu’s 5th congressional district and former secretary of Tourism, is challenging the re-election bid of incumbent governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Cebu Governor 2022 Survey Live

  • Ace Durano
    62% 1.3k / 2.1k
  • Gwen Garcia
    37% 786 / 2.1k

Cebu Vice Governor

Incumbent vice-governor Hilario Davide III is seeking another term (with Ace Durano). He will be facing off against a newcomer in politics and doctor by profession, Maria Theresa Heyrosa (with Gwen Garcia).

Cebu Vice Governor 2022 Survey Live

  • Doc Tess Heyrosa (#TeamGwen)
    29% 517 / 1.7k
  • Junjun Davide (#TeamAce)
    70% 1.2k / 1.7k

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