To help speed the recovery of the labor and tourism sectors from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, AirAsia Philippines is set to launch three international flights in April and two new domestic flights in the next months.
By April, AirAsia Philippines will resume flights to and from:
Bali, Indonesia
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Bali, Indonesia | Photo from UnsplashTirta Empul Temple, Bali, Indonesia | Photo from Unsplash
Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand | Photo from UnsplashBangkok, Thailand | Photo from Unsplash
Incheon, South Korea
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, South Korea | Photo from UnsplashHyangwonjeong Temple, South Korea | Photo from Unsplash
The flight frequencies for these will be announced next week.
Prior to the epidemic, the airline flew twice daily to Incheon, once daily to Bali, and 11 times weekly to Bangkok, serving tourists and overseas Filipino employees. The following are the pre-pandemic load factors: 84.4 percent in Incheon, 89.8 percent in Bali, and 92 percent in Bangkok.
Two new internal routes, Dumaguete and Roxas, will be opened in April and May, respectively.
Incheon Airport, South Korea | Photo from Unsplash
According to a press release, the government’s reduced travel rules and protocols have had a significant impact on inbound travel and domestic tourism.
After nearly two years of shutdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, the Philippines reopened its borders to fully vaccinated foreign tourists on February 10. Quarantine is no longer necessary for inbound international travelers.
If that statement doesn’t get you excited then you are clearly not of this earth. A trip to space is now possible for us mere regular citizens.
Photo from Virgin Galactic
It’s not “Tara dagat” or “Tara bukid” anymore, it’s “Tara Space” to invite your friends.
Billionaire Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Galactic, has made getting away from Earth just for 90 minutes possible. Actual Space tourism is a huge step into the space movies we’ve all watched.
Though, this dream comes with a price and a rather large one at that. You need to have P23 Million to take the tour. That is P23 Million per seat and a required P7.7 million before flight deposit.
Photo from Virgin Galactic
It has opened its spaceflight reservations for the general public last Feb. 16 with the goal of these spaceflights taking off later this year in Spaceport America in New Mexico.
With it now having 600 reservations from people around the globe, a lot of people surely want to go to space even including celebs.
Photo from Virgin Galactic
Celebrities who have reportedly reserved a ticket
Justin Bieber
Lady Gaga
Leonardo DiCaprio
Ashton Kutcher sold his ticket at the request of his wife, actress Mila Kunis
What to expect during spaceflight?
Passengers of the Virgin Galactic spaceship will experience a “signature air launch and Mach-3 boost” to the edge of space. After this, the spaceship will then “gracefully flip”.
And while the flip is happening, passengers can enjoy several minutes of out-of-seat weightlessness and panoramic views of the earth. With the vessel’s 17 windows, what a view indeed.
Photo from Virgin Galactic
Perks of snagging a Virgin Galactic spaceflight ticket
Given an access to the Future Astronaut membership community
Spaceflight preparedness activities for several days
Own Under Armour spacewear which excitingly looks like the suits in Star Trek (designed for comfort and maneuverability)
These “future astronauts” will stay with their guests in custom accommodations.
Tailored itineraries and world-class amenities during their astronaut-specific training programs
Photo from Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic said in a statement that this will be a transformational experience that will create a positive impact that can only come from seeing our beautiful planet from space.
When asked what’s the best long-term investment you can purchase, the top three we can usually think of are: properties, gold, and stocks. But what really topped the list over the last decade are – surprisingly – Rolex Watches.
Photo from Unsplash
These past few years, luxury timepieces have been the “in” alternative investment, with companies like Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and F.P.Journe making headlines for their crazy price increases. However, when it comes to consistent appreciation, one Swiss company has always reigned supreme: Rolex.
Photo from Unsplash
Bob’s Watches, the leading reseller of Rolex watches, has compiled 10 years of sales data to show how much Rolex has appreciated and which models have been hits – even after accounting for Rolex’s steady price increase and inflation, Rolex has beaten major asset classes including real estate, stocks, and gold on average.
The market average selling for a pre-owned Rolex has increased from less than US$5,000 (~P250,000) in 2011 to more than US$13,000 (~P650,000) in 2021, according to sales statistics spanning ten years. What’s more noteworthy is that, because of the epidemic, Rolex prices have risen at a rate roughly equivalent to the overall price increase during the previous five years.
Looking at the data above, we can see all the Rolex Models hitting all-time highs. On the lower end of the spectrum, models like the Air-King and Cellini have increased in value modestly, while the Daytona, Day-Date, and Sky-Dweller have more than doubled in price in a shorter time.
Photo from Unsplash
The Sky-Dweller, which was only introduced in 2012, has more than doubled in a shorter time, but the Daytona, on average, has more than tripled in value in the last 10 years, with an average pre-owned price of more than
The 16610 Submariner has been the best-selling Rolex on Bob’s Watches for the past ten years, while its two-tone steel and gold sibling, the 16613, comes second. Third place goes to the functioning six-digit GMT Master II 116710.
Photo from Unsplash
Although there’s still no guarantee that Rolex Watches will continue to appreciate, there is something rather spectacular and unique about these luxury watches. It’s one of those rare items that grow in value over time, even when we enjoy wearing it.
A typical Rolex in the Philippines ranges from US$7,500 (P382,000) to US8,550 (P432,000).
On Saturday 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 19, 2022.
The whole island of Cebu — Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu Province — recorded 110 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 47 new recoveries, and 6 new deaths. Cebu’s total active cases jumped to 3,124 (from 3,067).
Cebu City – Total confirmed: 53,215 (+55 new) – Total recoveries: 49,952 (+1 new) – Total deaths: 1,660 (+1 new) – Active cases: 1,603
Lapu-Lapu City – Total confirmed: 16,920 (+11 new) – Total recoveries: 16,218 (+1 new) – Total deaths: 493 (+0 new) – Active cases: 209
Mandaue City – Total confirmed: 15,291 (+10 new) – Total recoveries: 14,596 (+45 new) – Total deaths: 484 (+0 new) – Active cases: 211
Cebu Province – Total confirmed: 45,687 (+34 new) – Total recoveries: 41,860 (+0 new) – Total deaths: 2,726 (+5 new) – Active cases: 1,101
SUMMARY OF COVID-19 CASES IN CEBU:
Total Active Cases in Cebu: 3,124 (from 3,067)
Total Confirmed Cases in Cebu: 131,113 (+110 new)
Total Recoveries in Cebu: 122,626 (+47 new)
Total Deaths in Cebu: 5,363 (+6 new)
A total of 1,401 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.
On Friday, Carcar City Government announced on its Facebook Page the resumption of its outdoor cinema for its residents at the open area of Carcar City Family Park.
Carcar City Information Officer Candice Acuña shared photos of residents enjoying the trending family-oriented movie ‘Encanto’ at the Carcar City Family Park.
Photo by Candice Sandiego AcuñaPhoto by Candice Sandiego AcuñaPhoto by Candice Sandiego AcuñaPhoto by Candice Sandiego AcuñaPhoto by Candice Sandiego AcuñaPhoto by Candice Sandiego AcuñaPhoto by Candice Sandiego AcuñaPhoto by Candice Sandiego Acuña
Tagged as the ‘Carcar Is Nice Entertainment’ (CINE), the outdoor cinema will only show two new movies scheduled at 6:00PM and 9:00PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 UnsplashPhoto from Unsplash
The new Singaporean policy comes less than a week since the Philippines reopened its borders to fully vaccinated foreign travelers, including Singaporeans.
