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Louis Tomlinson’s Unintentional Marriage: Fan’s Playful Prank in Indonesia

The 2013 tweets from Directioners now exit the internet and enter real life with a fan “marrying” Louis Tomlinson, tricking him by signing a supposed autograph.

Photo from AD

During the former One Direction member’s world tour in Indonesia, Louis Tomlinson unintentionally got himself in a wedlock with a fan. He was handed what looked like a Republic of Indonesia excerpt of a marriage certificate when he was signing autographs, in which photos of him and the fan side by side are plastered. His signature was prominently placed in the middle of the document.

Photo from @consequence on X

The fan’s experience was later shared on TikTok. She mentioned a playful remark from Louis where he said,  “If my wife wants to,” at some point.

But to get things straight if this worried any Directioner out there, local reports made it clear that Indonesian law doesn’t recognize this as a legal and actual union since it wasn’t formalized in a ceremony. The document is simply for fun and not legally binding.

Photo from Louis Tomlinson Wiki

Along this amusing incident, Louis Tomlinson continues his musical endeavors as he tours with his “Faith In The Future” album.

Singapore Maintains Strong Anti-Corruption Stance, Secures 5th Place in Global Ranking

Out of 180 countries, Singapore lands at #5 in the list of the least corrupt nations according to the 2023 Corruption Perception Index, maintaining their spot since the year prior. The nation had a score of 83/100, calculated by the index using 13 external sources. This shows their commitment to combating corruption, which can clearly be seen in how the country is flourishing, as well as their public sector practices.

Photo from Yahoo News Singapore

Maintaining a good reputation like that bolsters Singapore’s global image, and positions it as a pioneer among Southeast Asian countries. The Corruption Perception Index is a crucial benchmark for this, making Singapore a testament to the effectiveness of robust systems that guarantee transparency and accountability in governance.

Photo from Singapore Government

The organization that made the index possible plays a significant role in the anti-corruption movement. Transparency International works in over 100 countries, operating with the goal of ending corruption and promoting transparency which should be the bare minimum for any governing body. While it’s sad that a meritocratic system has to inspire integrity to a set of officials whom their people trusted enough to vote for, the organization’s commitment to their goal truly does something to instill non-negotiable values of governance, not only to those in seat, but also to people on the ground who have the power to elect their leaders.

Photo from ThoughtCo

Other than ranking in the Corruption Perception Index, Singapore has also placed in other reputable reports, namely the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index and the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy’s report on Corruption in Asia. All of these accolades truly solidify Singapore as a regional leader that relentlessly pursues a corruption-free society.

Get the Chance to Work in Singapore’s Healthcare Sector

Jedegal International Manpower Services, Inc. is currently in need of 700 nursing aides to be part of their team. A lot of the people who take nursing aspire to work abroad for the benefits, so if you’re one of them, read ahead for details about this promising opportunity.

Photo from Jedegal International Manpower Services, Inc. Official Facebook Page
Photo from Jedegal International Manpower Services, Inc. Official Facebook Page

With a year of experience as the minimum requirement along with either a Vocational Diploma or Short Course Certificate or a degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you are already qualified for the position. Providing quality care would be your responsibility in the job, as well as assisting patients and monitoring their health. The compensation is SGD 850 a month or Php 35,513.

Photo from Care Options for Kids

Qualifications

  • BSN Graduate (with or without license)
  • Male & Female, 38 years old below
  • Minimum 6 months bedside work experience

Requirements

  • Resume (check their website for a sample format)
  • College diploma
  • Transcript of records
  • A learning experience with grades
  • PRC Board Certificate (if applicable)
  • PRC Board Rating with a breakdown (if applicable)
  • Valid PRC ID License (if appropriate)
  • Passport valid for more than 3 years
  • Gap letter
  • PSA Birth Certificate
  • PSA Marriage Contract (if relevant)
  • 12 passport-sized photos (with white background, clearly showing ears and eyebrows)
  • Employment certificate
  • PEOS certificate (https://peos.dmw.gov.ph/)
  • E-Registration Services (https://onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph//OnlineServices/POEAOnline.aspx)

How to Apply

  • You can apply through this link: https://www.jedegal.com.ph/apply-custom.php
  • Send scanned copies of the necessary documents to [email protected].
  • Submit the application via email.

If you have further questions, you may reach out to them through their contact numbers: 3522192; 3522193; 0929-8196107; 0905-2827419; 0921-8888741; 0977-1700080.

Should you prefer to apply in person, you can visit them at the Ground floor & 2nd-floor Accent Tower in Building 33 Shorthorn St. Project 8 Quezon City, Philippines. Prepare your CV to start the screening process with their team.

Photo from Nursing Times

The deadline of application is March 31, 2024, so if all of this sounds good to you, grab this opportunity and shape the future you envision for yourself!

10 Lucky Tips For The Year of the Wood Dragon

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Beyond New Year celebrated on the eve of January 1st, Lunar New Year is also celebrated globally. In the Philippines, this is commonly referred to as Chinese (Filipino-Chinese) New Year.

Photo from iNews

Before celebrating Valentine’s Day, Filipinos first anticipate the Chinese New Year with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent declaration of Feb. 9, a special non-working day in the country, in observance of the Chinese New Year. This heightens the excitement of celebrating Chinese New Year. 

Photo from Globe myBusiness Academy

One common practice during the Chinese New Year is using rituals and charms to bring good luck for 2024. Before we bask in the festivities, we should take note of the tips below so that luck is on our side. 

  1. CLEANING THE HOUSE BEFORE CHINESE NEW YEAR

It is believed that cleaning the house thoroughly before the Lunar New Year drives away ill-fortune by sweeping it outside the house, allowing positive energy and luck to enter once the Chinese New Year arrives.

Photo from Scrub ‘N Bubbles Cleaning
  1. ANGPAO

Another Chinese New Year superstition is that young children should be given angpao. Angpao is a red rectangular envelope into which money bills can be inserted. Giving angpao to children ensures that they have money entering the new year.

Photo from Tatler Asia

However, tradition does not end in giving angpaos to children. Angpao etiquette must also be followed by children receiving the angpaos. When a child is finally given their angpao, they should open it in private to count their blessings. It is not advisable to open angpaos during the festivities with so many people around. Once a child has received their angpao, they should politely say their thanks. And also, angpao money should not be spent immediately unless necessary.

  1. ALL DEBTS ARE PAID BEFORE CHINESE NEW YEAR

Similar to cleaning the house before Chinese New Year, it is also part of the tradition to make sure that all debts are cleared out before Chinese New Year. Doing this makes your new year debt-free to receive financial luck. In an interview with Pep, Feng Shui Expert Master Hanz Cua clarified that this includes bills such as electricity, water, and other types of bills. 

Photo from The Balance
  1. GLUTINOUS PRODUCTS 

Another common Filipino practice during Chinese New Year is the display of Tikoy, noodles, and dumplings that are all made of glutinous products. This is a staple because of the stickiness and sweetness to ensure that each of the family members enjoys a sweeter life and will stick together. 

Photo from Sharp Aspirant
  1. ROLLING KIAT KIAT OR THROW COINS IN THE HOUSE.

According to Master Hanz Cua, rolling kiat-kiat fruits or throwing coins inside the house should be done as you greet Chinese New Year’s Eve. Hanz explained that Kiat-Kiat is like money, and rolling it in the house symbolizes fortune entering your home. The same goes for throwing coins inside the house.

Photo from DMCI Communities – DMCI Homes
  1. STICK PAPER BILLS ON THE DOOR AND UNDER THE BED

The act of putting bills on the door and under the bed is believed to attract wealth.

Photo from OneNews.PH
  1. MAKE THE CASHBOX FULL

You can make the cash box full by not only putting money but also putting rice, salt, powdered milk, and sugar so that luck is overflowing.

Photo from Parent Booster USA
  1. SERVE 12 KINDS OF FRUITS.

Serving 12 kinds of fruits on your tables symbolizes a prosperous 12 months.

Photo from Palawan News
  1. WEAR RED OR POLKA DOT CLOTHES DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR.

Wearing red clothes or clothes with polka dots for luck. You can also wear emerald green, rich red, or golden yellow because these three colors are the lucky colors for Chinese New Year 2024, which embodies the color of a dragon that signifies power, strength, and success in Chinese culture.

Photo from Luulla
  1. DISPLAY LUCKY CHARMS

The best lucky charms to be displayed for this year’s Chinese New Year are charms that are in connection with the element of the wooden dragon, such as the Green Jade Plant, Dragon Statue, and Bamboo Tree.

Photo from MagicBricks

To partake in Feng Shui practices has been part of the Filipino during New Year and most especially during Chinese New Year. Despite the lack of scientific basis, there is nothing wrong with doing these practices.

However, let us remember that our luck is not solely based on these practices. These are mere guidelines, and our luck is up to what we do in daily life.

Deep Sea Vision Speculates Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed 10-E Electra Found

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A new clue about Amelia Earhart and her plane’s mysterious disappearance was found after 86 years. 

Photo from People

Using Sonar imaging technology, the ocean exploration company, Deep Sea Vision, mapped the ocean floor and captured a blurred image that resembles the shape of a small aircraft speculated as Earhart’s Lockheed 10-E Electra. 

ABOUT AMELIA EARHART

Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean, earning her the Distinguished Flying Cross. Which makes her milestones a remarkable feat, especially for women in aviation. In her quest to circumnavigate the globe in 1937, Earhart disappeared somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Despite her disappearance, her achievements remained remarkable, especially in a profession dominated by men.

Photo from New York Daily News

THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE 

The discovery of a small aircraft may be progress in the investigation but experts note that further investigation is needed to confirm the speculation, whether the detected aircraft is Earhart’s plane. To confirm, experts explained that a closer look at the said aircraft is needed by using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with a camera to scrutinize the details of the object and to assess the feasibility of the recovery of the aircraft.

Photo from Wikipedia

During Earhart’s and her plane’s disappearance in 1937, a large-scale U.S. search operation was conducted, which was unfortunately unsuccessful. Romeo, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, believed that the plane’s wreckage is located more than 5,000 meters deep and about 160 km from Howland Island. This means that the plane is between Hawaii and Australia.

Photo from Jane Resture

THEORIES ON EARHART’S DISAPPEARANCE

This recent discovery unearthed buried discussions and theories about the plane and Amelia Earhart’s disappearance, such as conjectures about Earhart crashing in the Marshall Islands, surviving as a castaway, or running out of fuel and crashing into the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island. One of the renowned theories of Earhart’s mysterious disappearance is that she was eaten by crabs on Nikumaroro Island, where Earhart could have stayed for a while. The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) hypothesized that Earhart and Noonan couldn’t find the island in the Pacific where they were supposed to land. Instead, they landed in Nikumaroro, which is surrounded by a reef that could be their runway. Further, they hypothesized that Noonan died, the plane floated off the reef, and Earhart was left alone on the island to be eaten by the crabs later.

Photo from Conde Nast Traveler

Here are Your Nominees for the 2024 Grammy Awards

It’s finally that time of the year to award the most outstanding music artists in the industry!

The Grammy Awards has just revealed the key nominees for 2024. There are 10 different categories such as the album of the year, record of the year, song of the year, best new artist, best pop solo performance, best pop vocal album, best music video, best rap album, best rock album, and best global music album.

Photo from GRAMMY.com

Here are the different nominees for each category.

Album of the Year

  • World Music Radio – Jon Batiste
  • The record – boygenius
  • Endless Sumner Vacation – Miley Cyrus
  • Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey 
  • The Age of Pleasure – Janelle Monae
  • Guts – Olivia Rodrigo 
  • Midnights – Taylor Swift
  • SOS – Sza

Record of the Year

  • Worship – Jon Batiste
  • Not Strong Enough – boygenius
  • Flowers – Miley Cyrus
  • What Was I Made For? (Barbie) – Billie Eilish
  • On My Mama – Victoria Monet
  • Vampire – Olivia Rodrigo 
  • Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift
  • Kill Bill – SZA

Song of the Year

  • A&W 
  • Anti-Hero
  • Butterfly
  • Dance the Night (Barbie the Album) 
  • Flowers
  • Kill Bill
  • Vampire
  • What Was I Made for? (Barbie)

Best New Artist

  • Gracie Abrams
  • Fred Again…
  • Ice Spice
  • Jelly Roll
  • Coco Jones
  • Noah Kahan 
  • Victoria Monet
  • The War and Treaty 

Best Pop Solo Performance 

  • Flowers – Miley Cyrus
  • Paint The Town Red – Doja Cat
  • What Was I Made For? (Barbie)
  • Vampire – Olivia Rodrigo
  • Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift

Best Pop Vocal Album

  • Chemistry – Kelly Clarkson
  • Endless Summer Vacation – Miley Cyrus
  • GUTS – Olivia Rodrigo
  • (Subtract) – Ed Sheeran
  • Midnights – Taylor Swift

Best Music Video

  • I’m Only Sleeping – The Beatles
  • In Your Love – Tyler Childers
  • What Was I Made For (Barbie) – Billie Eilish 
  • Count Me Out – Kendrick Lamar
  • Rush – Troye Sivan

Best Rap Album

  • Her Loss – Drake & 21 Savage
  • Michael – Killer Mike
  • Heroes & Villains – Metro Booin
  • King’s Disease III – Nas
  • Utopia – Travis Scott

Best Rock Album

  • But Here We Are – Foo Fighters
  • Starcatcher – Greta Van Fleet
  • 72 Seasons – Metallica
  • This is Why – Paramore
  • In Times New Roman – Queens of the Stone Age

Best Global Music Album

  • Epifanias – Susana Baca
  • History – Bokante
  • I Told Them – Burna Boy
  • Timeless – Davido 
  • This Moment – Shakti
Photo from Billboard

Do you see your favorite artist or band? Well, whoever they are, may your bets win a Grammy!

Jpark Island Resort garners ASEAN MICE Venue Award for Event Venue Category

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Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark Mactan, Cebu, a leader in events handling in the ASEAN region, is proud to announce its recent recognition at the prestigious Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Standard Awards – ASEAN MICE Venue 2024 under the Event Venue category held last January 26, 2024 at Lao PDR.

This ASEAN MICE Venue Award is a testament to Jpark Island’s dedication to providing world-class facilities, impeccable services, and a seamless experience for organizers and attendees alike. The award recognizes the 5-star hotel as a key player in the MICE industry, contributing significantly to the growth and development of the meetings and events sector.

Being able to be granted with this prestigious award, an esteemed set of judges will have to evaluate venues based on various criteria, including infrastructure, technology, accessibility, sustainability practices, and overall customer satisfaction. Exceling in all these areas and standing out as a premier destination for national and international events, Jpark has received its 3rd ASEAN MICE Venue Award.

With its 3-partitioned Triton Grand Ballroom, Jpark Cebu offers inspired and flexible settings for business affairs, conventions, special celebrations, themed dinners, and weddings.

This multi-purpose and fully-equipped grand ballroom has 4 built-in LED screens, RGB and dim light controls, sound-proofing insulation and a sound control room. Jpark Island Resort also houses four function rooms namely Triphora, Nautilus, Cyprea and Pyrene. Their skilled staff, along with detailed attention, will provide excellence to your meetings and banquets.

Truly, with this massive accolade, it’s hard to go past Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark when it comes to fulfilling your dream 5-star events.

For more information, please call (032) 494-5000 or check Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark Mactan, Cebu’s facebook account @jparkislandresort.Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark, Cebu is located at M.L Quezon Highway, Brgy. Maribago, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu, Philippines. For more information contact (632) 494 5000, visit www.jparkislandresort.com; email [email protected]. Check out facebook.com/jparkislandresort or follow @Jparkislandresort on Instagram.

Universal Music Group Mutes Songs on TikTok Amid Licensing Dispute

Music licensing negotiations between Universal Media Group (UMG) and the social media giant TikTok have been met with a dramatic turn of events. UMG pulled its entire library of music, which includes internationally acclaimed artists such as Drake and Taylor Swift, from TikTok amidst alleged unsatisfactory payment offers and AI-generated music concerns which it says dilutes royalties for real musicians.

Photo from CNN

TikTok has confirmed the removal, which results in its users having no access to UMG’s music for its popular short-form videos. Users have taken notice of this, as popular videos have been slapped with copyright restriction notices and muted as a result.

All this is the result of a year-long skirmish over fair compensation, AI concerns, and user privacy safety on the social media platform. As the industry bogs down over this unprecedented move by UMG, artists and executives have weighed in on its effects.

Photo from CNBC

Both TikTok and musicians (especially those just starting their careers) have a symbiotic relationship. While TikTok’s content is a heavily diverse set of niches, it is apparent that the use of music is something the majority of the videos in the site thrive on, with a trending sound being used by multiple content creators in order to get more views. On the other hand, because of TikTok’s algorithm, it is also a great platform for artists to get more traction for their songs.

In 2020, the start of the peak of TikTok because of the pandemic, we were able to get the biggest hits of new artists at the time like Doja Cat because of dances and challenges popularized by users. The relationship between the site and artists have always been mutually beneficial in the eyes of the public. This now becomes a blur because of the recurring issue.

Photo from Tiktok Inspires on Youtube

As TikTok has been known to be one of the best platforms for musicians to promote their music, questions have been asked concerning how artists are going to reshape their marketing strategies. This is currently the center of discourse throughout the whole process, and those who keep a close eye on the occurrences in pop culture await the impacts that this decision will have both on TikTok, and rising artists who rely heavily on the sensationalism that is relatively easily given in the platform.

Philippines Shines in the 2024 ASEAN Tourism Standard Awards

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.com
Photo from Club Paradise Palawan
Photo from Tripadvisor
Photo from Tripadvisor
Photo 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.

A huge congratulations to all the awardees!

Mind Matters: The Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace

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.