The Philippines gets recognition during the 2024 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Standard Awards held in Vientiane, Laos.
Photo from PAGEONE
Cities such as Baguio, Ilagan, and Tabuk earned the Clean Tourist City titles for their dedication to sustainable tourism. This year, Baguio received the title for the third time, Ilagan for the second time, and a first for Tabuk.
Photo from Interaksyon
For establishments and hotels, the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards also acknowledged the maintenance of high standards in the nation. Prime Properties Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Club Paradise Palawan, Bohol Beach Club, Seda Nuvali, and The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay received their accolades with the ASEAN Green Hotel Award. Their sustainable tourism approach paved the way for this recognition, as well as their consistency in ensuring human resource development and local community involvement.
Photo from Booking.comPhoto from Club Paradise PalawanPhoto from TripadvisorPhoto from TripadvisorPhoto from Tripadvisor
Furthermore, The ASEAN Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition (MICE) Venue Awards also awarded 15 venues in the country for their outstanding performance. From meeting rooms to exhibition halls and event venues, these establishments have shown their commitment to providing world-class facilities for various events. The complete list of awardees is as follows:
Meeting Room
Properties Bai Hotel Cebu
Clark Marriott Hotel
Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort
Princesa Garden Island Resort & Spa
Seda Hotel Nuvali
Exhibition Hall
World Trade Center Metro Manila (Manila Exposition Complex)
SMX Convention Center Manila
Cordillera Convention Hall by Baguio Country Club
Isabela Convention Center (ICON)
Iloilo Convention Center
Event Venue
Palacio del Sur by Marcian Group
Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark Cebu
Infinity Garden by Baguio Country Club
CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center
Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa by Modern Asia, Inc.
Mental health shouldn’t be a taboo topic anymore, especially in the workplace. When an employee experiences mental health issues that reduce their focus and affect their performance, the business will be jeopardized as well.
Photo from Unsplash
Mental Health as Explained by the World Health Organization
According to the World Health Organization, Mental health enables individuals to cope with stress, recognize their abilities, learn and work fantastically, and contribute to society. Moreover, mental health varies from the level of difficulty and distress.
Photo from Maple Community Services
WHO also mentioned that mental health issues are caused by “exposure to unfavorable social, economic, geopolitical, and environmental causes.” Poverty, violence, inequality, and environmental deprivation are also factors that affect a person’s mental health.
Mind Matters in a Workplace
Let’s face it: our resume says, “can work well under pressure,” but too much pressure is already dangerous for our mental health. Different factors affect an employee’s mental health, such as “repetitive tasks, no sense of teamwork, discrimination, favoritism, and harassment or bullying.” Yes, even adults experience harassment or bullying; it’s not limited to the four walls of a classroom.
Photo from Forbes
So why does employee mental health matter? Positive mental health equals the success and longevity of a business. In a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with depression can find it hard to complete their tasks, thus affecting their overall operation.
Role of the Company in Employee’s Mental Health
The Mental Health Foundation urges employers to create a checklist for a better and mentally healthy workplace.
Develop an approach to mental health in a work setting that helps improve employee’s mental health.
Leaders and managers should implement mental health programs.
Review how you run your business and examine the working culture. Assess how it affects the employees mentally.
Conduct regular surveys about mental health and research to create a plan to improve mental health at work.
Photo from Unsplash
How Can Employees Protect Their Mental Health?
You are so drowned in your work that you don’t even notice you are becoming overwhelmed and stressed. Is there a way to protect yourself? The Mental Health Commission of Canada says that there are ways employees can protect their mental health.
Attend mental health training.
Be aware of the signs of stress that’s building up
Take a mental health day
Meditate, exercise, do yoga, and more
Nourish yourself with a balanced nutrition
Step outside and walk
Get enough sleep if you can.
Create positive relationships with your workmates and even managers.
Ask for feedback in terms of work performance.
Seek professional help for physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, migraines, etc.
Photo from Unsplash
Mental Health is no longer a subject we can just tuck away and ignore. It is about time to openly talk about it to better plan for strategies that can help with mental health stress. Employers and employees must address stress-related issues in a work setting to succeed in performance and help the business or company grow.
Some celebrities choose partners who aren’t in the show business industry to keep their love life out of the limelight. We often don’t hear about these people compared to relationships wherein both are celebrities. The same could be said about Erich Gonzales’ husband, who majority of people only know as the “persistent and consistent” suitor of the actress.
Photo from DramaWiki
On March 23, 2022, the couple got married in Alabang, Muntinlupa, which then sparked people’s curiosity about the lovely groom. Here are 5 things to know about Mateo Lorenzo.
1. Mateo’s Parents
Mateo is the son of Maria Leah De Leon and Martin Ignacio Lorenzo who are business tycoons who own over 18 companies. Martin is currently the chairman and CEO of First Lucky Agro-Industrial Corp., Macondray Philippines Co. Inc., First Lucky Holdings Corp., just to mention a few. Previously, he operated Del Monte Philippines and Pancake House.
Photo from PEP.ph
2. Net Worth
According to the Sports Grail, Mateo Lorenzo has a staggering net worth of $5 Million in 2022. Mateo’s success in the world of business is showcased by his financial prowess, amounting to ₱281.9 million.
Photo from Erich Gonzales and Mateo Lorenzo Facebook Page
3. From a Family of 12 Kids
With the Lorenzo family’s wealth, it’s no surprise how many children there are in their household. The family size is very intriguing in Mateo’s background, as all 12 of them are heirs to the Del Monte empire.
4. Hands-On Parenting Despite Wealth
Both of his parents are known to be hands-on parents despite their busy lives in business. The family did not employ stay-in helpers as Maria and Martin took care of all of their children, prepared their meals, and organized their tasks growing up.
Photo from First Lucky Holdings Corp
5. A Blend of Intelligence and Coolness
Aside from Mateo’s wealth and legacy, he also made a name for himself as he earned his degree in Management Engineering in Ateneo de Manila University. He further pursued his studies taking his Master of Business Administration in an Ivy League institution, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Aside from his achievements in academia, his interests include show jumping, cars, golf, and traveling.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea has recently announced simplified visa application procedures for specific individuals in the Philippines, which can be extended to their immediate family members. This initiative takes effect from February 1 until December 31, 2024.
Photo from Philippine News Agency
The initiative makes the application process a lot more convenient for eligible applicants with some document submissions now being optional. However, important requirements are still mandatory such as the general application form, passport bio-page copy, and proof of relationship for those who are traveling alongside immediate family members.
1. Professional License Holders
Another privilege emerges for professionals like lawyers, CPAs, pharmacists, veterinarians, and physicians who hold a valid Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ID. These individuals won’t have to undergo the long process of providing bank certificates and statements as they only have to submit their original certificate of employment as well as a copy of their PRC license or IBP ID.
Photo from Tripzilla
2. BDO Gold or BDO Elite Credit Card Holders
Except supplementary card holders, BDO Gold and BDO Elite credit card holders can now enjoy a streamlined visa application. All they have to do is present their certificate of employment, the last three months’ billing statements, and a credit card copy, and they’ll be good to go!
Photo from BDO.COM
3. Elected Politicians
Members of congress, senators, mayors, governors, and board members can now enjoy a much easier process in obtaining their visa. The requirements are their original certificate of employment or certificate of appointment, a disclosure of their organizational details, working period, position, and salary.
Photo from ConstitutionNet
4. Certain Government Officials
This privilege is also offered to those in positions higher than Assistant Secretary in the Executive Branch or Brigadier General in the AFP or PNP. With similar requirements to elected politicians such as the original certificate of employment, disclosure of organizational details, working period, position, and salary, the hassle-free application process is completely theirs.
Photo from Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
To find out more details regarding the visa application, you may refer to the official announcement given by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines here: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ph-en/brd/m_3275/list.do
Who said glow-up is for the face and body only? Glow up your resume by taking your education to the next level!
The University of the Philippines Open University, the national university pioneer in online teaching and learning, offers 24 free Courses that can be taken by the public.
Photo from UP Open University
Below is the list of courses offered by the University from January to December:
JANUARY
Basics of Resilience
Introductory Course on Contact Center Services
FEBRUARY
Gender Sensitivity Training
MARCH
Micro-credential on Digital Office Efficiency Training
Introduction to Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL)
Understanding the Child Better
Business Analytics Concepts and Frameworks
APRIL
Strategic Planning in ODeL
Principles of Graphic Design
MAY
Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning
Quality Assurance in ODeL
Legal Instruments for the Protection of Children
JUNE
Learner Support in ODeL
Teaching and Learning with Modern ICTs
Institutional Mechanism Towards Child Rights Protection and Promotion
JULY
Technology in ODeL
Introduction to ODeL
Blended Teaching and Learning Using OERs
Social Entrepreneurship
Scriptwriting for Educational Video Materials
AUGUST
-course offering break-
SEPTEMBER
Strategic Planning in ODeL
Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning
Planning Programs on Child Rights Protection Promotions
Creating Educational Materials Using PowToon
OCTOBER
Quality Assurance in ODeL
Teaching and Learning with Modern ICTs
Developing and Producing an Interactive Educational Video Material
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
Learner Support in ODeL
Technology in ODeL
Blended Teaching and Learning Using OERs
Implementing and Evaluating Programs for Child Rights
Video Editing Using an Open Source Video Editing Software
These courses offered by the university are ensured to be free, self-paced, and open to the public. The classes will be administered on the learning platform of the UP Open University, MODeL (2024 Massive Open Distance eLearning), which can be accessed here.
In a Facebook post on January 5, 2024, UP Open University announced the 24 free courses that the public can enroll in.
“As a public service university that believes in 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, UP Open University (UPOU) is once again offering 𝟮𝟰 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 massive open online courses to kickstart 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰!”
Photo from UPOU Massive Open Distance e-Learning Official Facebook Page
In the same post, instructions were given by UP Open University for those interested in enrolling. “For those with MODeL accounts, you may now self-enroll in the MOOCs featured on our website homepage.
If you don’t have a MODeL account yet, follow these steps:
The increasing encounters with King Cobras or Banakon in various locations in Cebu instilled fear in Cebuanos. This fear was further heightened because on January 30, 2024, Tuesday, a 64-year-old farmer Maximo Millan from Dalaguete died allegedly from a snake bite.
Photo from Nature Safari India
Because of these recent cobra encounters and deaths caused by cobra bites, a rumor was spread around social media that these King Cobras had been dropped from a flying helicopter.
The Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) advised the public to take unverified information circulating on social media with a grain of salt and stop sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The CPPO Information Officer, Police Major Windel Abellana, suggests to the public to immediately report it to the barangay officials and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management once they have an encounter with a Cobras.
Photo from BNN Breaking
“We would like to advice our Cebuanos in the province of Cebu, particularly those in the areas that are likely to have the presence of this deadly reptile, to be alert and be careful. Do not panic wherever you see snakes in your locality, instead, contact the barangay officials, the MDRRMO, and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) so they could address your concern immediately,” Abellana said.
Abellana also addressed Millan’s death caused by the alleged cobra bites.
“So that it would be scientific ang ating approach on the matter kay lisod man maghimo ta og kaugalingon’g assessment without basis, so from there once the autopsy result will be released that would be the basis kung tinuod ba nga snake bite ba to siya or naay laing health issues nga involve atong insidente,” Abellana stated.’
Abellana also stated that they are in coordination with the family of the victim for the autopsy to determine the real cause of his death.
The victim had two bite marks on his left leg, assumed to be a snake bite.
Photo from Fact Animal
He also had a wound on his right arm, believed caused by an ant bite. Despite the heightening fear of King Cobras, this should not stop us from being vigilant with the information we consume on social media by ensuring that it is from verified and legitimate sources. It should also not encouraged to share these unverified information to prevent the massive misinformation circulation.
At some point in our lives, we need a beach break to relax our minds and rest from all our responsibilities.
If you have been eyeing Camotes Island, whether it’s your first time or you just miss its beauty, planning out beach breaks and beach relaxations does not need to be as stressful as we think it is.
Checking and Rechecking if customer service is good, if not better?
Ensuring the place is clean?
Make sure that the accommodation is near to the tourist spots.
Pau Hana Camotes Homestay saves your day!
Photo from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook Page
Pau Hana Camotes Homestay assures that you are comfortable and enjoying your well-deserved beach break without making you feel that you are far away from your home and without making you spend much for accommodation! Whether you are traveling alone or in a group, Pau Hana gotcha! Below are their regular rates for their rooms:
ACCOMMODATION RATES
1 pax – P900
2 pax = P1,200
3 pax = P1,500
4 pax = P1,800
5 pax = P2,100
6 pax = P2,400
But if your group exceeds 6 persons, you can book the entire Homestay for as low as P8,500, which is good for 22 persons!
Photo from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook Page
You will not only enjoy the comfort of your room during the entire stay at Pau Hana Camotes Homestay but you will also enjoy making use of the following facilities:
ROOM INCLUSIONS:
Airconditioned rooms
FREE use of kitchen, utensils, and appliances
FREE use of board and card games
FREE toiletries and use of towels
FREE parking
FREE drinking water
Private T&B with sink per room
Private balcony per room
Outdoor table and chairs per room
Outdoor gazebo dining area
Piso Wifi
Gated premises with parking
Photo from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook Page
If you’re stressed out about Pau Hana’s distance from the tourist attractions and the port in Camotes. Worry no more because, from Consuelo Port, this homestay is only 400 meters away! Below is the list of tourist attractions and their distance from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay.
DISTANCE FROM PAU HANA CAMOTES HOMESTAY TO TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Amazing Island Cave & Beach Resort = 4 mins
Paraiso Cave = 5 mins
Mangodlong Paradise = 8 mins
Heaven Cave = 10 mins
Lake Danao Park = 15 mins
Santiago Bay Resort = 15 mins
San Francisco Town Proper = 20 mins
Bakhaw Beach = 20 mins
Tulang Diot Island = 20 mins
Timubo Cave = 20 mins
Buho Rock Resort = 25 mins
Bukilat Cave = 50 mins
Photo from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook PagePhoto from Pau Hana Camotes Homestay Official Facebook Page
Want to know more information about Pau Hana Camotes Homestay?
Exact location: Consuelo, San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu
BY BUS: There are three options you can choose from going to Danao for Danao Port:
Commute from SM City to Danao for P50.
Consolacion to Danao Port worth P25.
Mandaue Hiway across Jollibee P35
Once you’re in Danao City Port, you can catch a ferry going to Consuelo Port in Camotes Island. From there, you can ride a motorbike (habal-habal) to Pau Hana Camotes Homestay.
BY CAR: Navigate with Waze or Google Maps and set your destination to Pau Hana Camotes Homestay.
We sometimes write letters to ourselves to be read in the future, “To my future self…” but what if you meet your past self? What would you do?
When Veronica Balayo met herself in a Painting at the National Museum of Fine Arts, all she could do was post it on TikTok. In her multiple-photo post, a vintage Painting of Belen Ocampo can be seen on the first slide, and on the third and second slides are photos of Veronica Balayo standing beside the vintage painting of Belen Ocampo and their resemblance is uncanny. Balayo captioned the post, “Am I her reincarnation? 😱”
TikTok post from Veronica BalayoTikTok post from Veronica BalayoTikTok post from Veronica Balayo
The post went viral and received mixed reactions from TikTok users because of the undeniable facial resemblance of the two. As of January 31, the TikTok post garnered 12.6 Million views and 1.4 Million likes.
The vintage painting of Belen Ocampo was part of the 43 other foto-óleos “Larawan at Litrato: Foto-óleo and Picture Portraits in the Philippines (1891-1953).” Turned out, Belen Ocampo is the mother of the historian Ambeth Ocampo which has reached him. On his Facebook Page he posted a screenshot of the TikTok post that also gained traction with 244K reactions and 4.4K comments as of January 31, 2024.
Photo from ABS-CBN News
“Trending on Tiktok video this morning was the post of Veronica Balayo, a recent visitor to the National Museum who resembles a photo-oleo of my mother from the 1950’s! The video has earned over 400,000 likes!”
Post from Ambeth R. Ocampo on Facebook
In an interview with Esquire Philippines, it was found that Balayo was originally from Davao City and was in Manila on a work trip with colleagues. To make the most out of their Manila trip, they visited the National Museum of Fine Arts and checked out the exhibit. When she saw the vintage painting, she couldn’t contain her surprise and confirmed from her colleagues the unmistakable semblance.
“The similarity was unmistakable,” Balayo said in her interview with Esquire Philippines.
Afterward, she took a picture alongside the portrait, only to discover that Belen Ocampo, the mother of a Filipino historian was also the model for the Philippine Travel Bureau (now Department of Tourism).
After reading Balayo’s story, do you think reincarnation is real?
Cobra or Banakon sightings have increased in Cebu since December 2023. This has caused alarm for locals because of the danger it poses to their safety.
Photo from CNN
Dr. Beethoven Bongon, a toxicologist at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) reassured that there is an antivenom for cobra bites as long as the victim bitten was allowed to receive the shot.
He also added that the antivenom available at the VSMMC Poison Control Center is polyvalent. This means that the antivenom is effective for three types of cobra species: the King Cobra, the Philippine Cobra, and the Samar Cobra.
This is different from the monovalent antivenom, Purified Cobra Antivenin (Pcav) only effective against Philippine Cobra. And this can only be obtained from the health research facility Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.
Photo from A-Z Animals
In an interview with Sunstar 7, Ruff Vincent Valdevieso, coordinator of the national immunization program at the Department of Health (DOH) 7 that Pcav is limited and not commercially available. The said antivenom is not available in the Region because it is not part of the priority list.
Bongon also emphasized that not all victims need antivenom because not all snake bites are venomous. In the snake bite incidents in Region 7—especially in Cebu, snake bite cases involve 90% non-venomous snakes. This means that the usage of the polyvalent antivenom rarely occurred.
Bongon advised that when an individual is bitten by a snake, the victim should be brought to the nearest local health center. Once the kind of snake has been determined—especially if it is venomous- health experts will coordinate with the Poison Control Center to assess the situation and determine whether antivenom is truly necessary.
The Philippine media landscape, workers, and viewers alike mourned the closure of CNN Philippines.
Photo from CNN Philippines
Whispers and Rumors of CNN Philippines’ closure were finally confirmed in a general assembly on the morning of January 29, 2024. CNN Philippines will stop its operations on January 31 on all platforms.
This announcement was also publicized on its channel through a broadcast advisory and an official announcement.
The company said, “It is with deep regret that the management of Nine Media Corporation (NMC) announces the discontinuation of its news and production operations on all media platforms, branded as CNN Philippines (CNNPH), effective 31 January 2024. The decision follows significant financial losses sustained over the past years, despite rigorous efforts to adapt and innovate in a rapidly evolving and challenging media landscape.”
Photo from @cnnphilippines on X
The closure of the predominantly English-language TV Channel affects not only the Philippine media landscape but also the 300 employees, contractors, and suppliers. However, the company assured that “severance packages” are given.
In a TV Broadcast, CNN Philippines thanked their staff and employees, “To our staff, we thank you for your commitment and dedication. To our partners, including CNN Worldwide/Turner Broadcasting Corporation, we are grateful for your support. And to our viewers, our sincerest gratitude for your loyalty and trust over the past nine years.”
Photo from CNN Philippines on Youtube
This media closure now leaves us with a question: can News and Journalism survive in the business arena?
