Travel associations appeal for more support for the tourism industry

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The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) and other travel groups are seeking for more assistance from the Department of Tourism.

In a letter to the DOT, the PTAA noted “ongoing financial challenges and impact to business” from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are one with the department’s endeavor towards recovery and to support businesses severely hit by the continuing coronavirus disease,” PTAA President Michelle Taylan wrote in the letter addressed to DOT Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

The travel association is requesting further assistance from state insurers like the Social Security System, PhilHealth and PAGIBIG in maximizing the availment of benefits for PTAA members and other stakeholders in the travel industry who may currently be suffering from financial constraints due to either limited or shuttered business.

PTAA President Michelle Taylan

The group also seeks discounted lifeline packages for other recurring monthly bills that need to be settled while on operation. This includes utilities and telecommunication payment dues.

“You can just imagine the financial burden of having to pay off these otherwise usual items, without actual income,” Taylan said. “We are hoping to give tourism industry workers a bit of relief kahit sa simpleng mga bayarin kada buwan.”

The PTAA launched its “Bills Support Care” campaign, taking inspiration from the various community pantries being set up in different parts of the country.

The association expects momentum for the tourism industry to take off following the vaccination of the A4 priority group which includes tourism workers.

“We see some silver lining as vaccination of economic frontliners begin. It would just be a matter of time until we see tourism boom again. But until such time, we hope to provide whatever help we can to ailing businesses,” Taylan said.

Leisure travel to and from the NCR Plus to areas under more relaxed restrictions or those in modified general community quarantine has been allowed, but limited to point-to-point travel.

Travelers aged below 18 years old and those older than 65 must present a negative RT-PCR test result. Swab test requirements of those in-between age groups will depend on their destination’s local government unit protocol.

Aside from the PTAA and TCP, other travel associations like the PATA, NAITAS, QCTAA, PATS, ALTTA, ATTAP, ATTA, BAPTTA, BATFOI, BITATOA, BSTA, BOSZTAA, CTTA, DTAA, ITATOA, NEATOP, PTOTAA, QuePATTA, TATToO, R1TTA, and the RTAA join the call to seek assistance for travel and tourism workers gravely affected this pandemic.

Luis Manzano for SweetVia

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Santé formally welcomes Luis Manzano as the official endorser of SweetVia – a sweetener from a natural source with amazing health benefits.

For over a decade, Santé has successfully positioned itself as a trusted industry leader in the Philippines, consistent in developing and distributing premier natural and organic health and wellness products and services. 

SweetVia contains potent natural plant ingredients, such as Chicory Root Fiber Inulin and Stevia (Stevia Rebaudiana) - a safe and non-toxic herbal extract that aids in keeping blood sugar low. 1In both human and animal studies, the addition of inulin has been found to normalize blood lipid and glucose levels (Gibson & Delzenne). Also, it showed a reduction in food intake and decreased body weight. On the other hand, 2Stevia is an accepted sugar substitute that can contribute to weight management and improved caloric control. And unlike other sugary foods, stevia inhibits the formation of cavities and plaque (Elkins, 1997).

A single 1g sachet of SweetVia instantly provides a sweeter taste to any beverage and every food recipe minus the guilt and harmful effects of too much sugar.

As one of the most influential celebrities in the entertainment industry today, Luis Manzano is a multi-hyphenate who is in the prime of his career. He has a highly hectic schedule that consists of several thriving business ventures, multiple brand partnerships, and top-trending TV shows on the Kapamilya Channel. Among his projects is his hosting stint in the recently concluded third season of the singing and impersonation competition, Your Face Sounds Familiar, and his weekly appearances on ASAP Natin ‘To every Sunday afternoons.

Luis is also known as a passionate advocate of wellness who believes that a well-balanced lifestyle which consists of proper time management between work and personal life coupled with regular physical exercise and proper diet are key factors in maintaining a productive life that is absolutely healthy, which is very vital especially now amid the pandemic.

“I just turned 40 this year and what I learned as we grow older is that we must always watch what we eat,” says Luis. “I know a lot of people who got diabetes either genetically or because of their food choices. I’m really into sweets, and there’s always room for so much more desserts in my life. Because of SweetVia, I now have a healthy alternative that enables me to satisfy my cravings without putting myself at risk of diabetes and minus the guilt, as well.”

Luis also reveals that he is confident, calm, and relaxed with SweetVia, “I could sleep better knowing that my choice to incorporate Sweet Via in my daily diet essentials is both effective and excellent because its ingredients are natural and plant-based. I am assured that I made the right choice with SweetVia.”

“Luis Manzano lives the ideal lifestyle that perfectly represents Sweet Via as he is enjoying a balanced life that is both active and healthy,” says Santé CEO Joey Marcelo. “We are honored to officially welcome Luis to the Santé family, and we are looking forward to all the exciting projects that we will do in collaboration with him in the months to come.”

Luis also expresses how grateful he is to partner with SweetVia, “It’s great to partner with a brand like SweetVia. This is the best alternative every time I want to eat or drink something sweet. Another plus with Sweet Via is the prebiotics that it contains, which takes care of my tummy. SweetVia is so versatile because it could be used not just in drinks and desserts but in every single food recipe imaginable.”

SweetVia is available in leading Mercury Drug stores, Watsons, The Generics Pharmacy, Puregold, Lawson, The Landmark, All Day Supermarkets, and order online thru Lazada and Shopee.

For more information and exciting news and updates on Luis Manzano and SweetVia, follow @sweetviaofficial on Instagram, like Sweet Via on Facebook, and subscribe to SweetVia on YouTube.

Leading housing developer BRIA Homes to hold Virtual Nationwide PlanTahanan Day

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Leading property developer BRIA Homes, the brand that fosters sustainable living among its residents and homeowners, is mounting a nationwide virtual event called Virtual Nationwide PlanTahanan Day on June 30, 2021, at 10 a.m., on the BRIA Homes official Facebook Page.

BRIA’s annual PlanTahanan Day initiative aims to promote a positive environmental impact through the following themes: sustainability, relevance of wide open spaces, and the benefits of trees.

Top housing developer BRIA Homes is set to hold a nationwide event called the Virtual Nationwide PlanTahanan Day on June 30, 2021, at 10 a.m., on BRIA’s official Facebook page.

Sustainability, which basically means managing our natural resources to ensure a healthy environment for future generations, is a recurring subject in all discussions about environmental awareness. On PlanTahanan Day, BRIA will enable participants at the virtual event to explore everyday habits that reduce their ecological footprints such as reusing and recycling, supporting local economies, eliminating plastic wastes, planting tress, and using mass transit—instead of driving—to nearby destinations.

BRIA’s PlanTahanan Day seeks to promote environmental awareness through the following themes: sustainability, relevance of wide open spaces, and the benefits of trees.  

BRIA Homes’ annual PlanTahanan Day will highlight how wide open spaces at BRIA communities spur residents to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle by walking, biking, and playing outdoors.

The event will also highlight how wide open spaces at BRIA communities spur residents to pursue a healthy active lifestyle by walking, biking, and playing outdoors. To support such eco-friendly activities, BRIA created Sentro, the center of convergence in all its communities. The amenity hub houses the multi-function hall, family park and playground, and BRIA’s newest facility: the community center. All essential services that residents need are in Sentro—a Health Center, a Day Care Center, a Senior Citizen Center, and a Barangay Center.

According to Red Rosales, President of BRIA Homes, “BRIA Sentro not only fosters a strong community spirit but also provides a wholesome and serene setting for families to get together and bond, to savor some fresh air, and to lead healthier lives.”

Finally, BRIA Homes’ Virtual Nationwide PlanTahanan Day will stress on the importance of planting and nurturing trees that are in abundance in BRIA developments.

To encourage eco-friendly pursuits among its residents and homeowners, BRIA Homes created Sentro, the amenity hub that houses the multi-function hall, the family park and playground, and BRIA’s community center.

All essential services that residents need are in BRIA’s Sentro—a Health Center, a Day Care Center, a Senior Citizen Center, and a Barangay Center. Sentro provides a wholesome and serene setting for families to get together and bond, to savor some fresh air, and to lead healthier lives.

BRIA’s PanTahanan Day will be an opportunity to remind Filipinos of the amazing benefits of trees—how they generate oxygen, lessen greenhouse gases, reduce air and water pollution, prevent flood damage, provide natural habitats for animals, and offer generous shade that contribute to the comforts of living in a safe and clean environment

Complementing BRIA communities’ environmentally friendly features are their strategic locations. With BRIA’s access to key destinations such as banks, groceries, schools, and hospitals, residents and homeowners save on time and fuel consumption in getting around.

Complementing all these environmentally friendly features is BRIA Homes’ strategic location. With all of its developments situated close to key destinations such as banks, groceries, schools, and hospitals, BRIA homeowners save on time and fuel consumption in getting around.

“We want to remind Filipinos of the amazing benefits of trees—how they generate oxygen, lessen greenhouse gases, reduce air and water pollution, prevent flood damage, provide natural habitats for animals, and offer generous shade that contribute to the comforts of living in a safe and clean environment,” Rosales says.

On BRIA’s Virtual PlanTahanan Day, participants will be encouraged to manage their ecological footprints by reusing and recycling, supporting local economies, reducing plastic wastes, planting tress, and using mass transit—instead of driving—to nearby destinations.

Its communities have adapted to the digital space as well. Reliable internet service allows residents to engage in remote work and online schooling. BRIA likewise enables digital transactions for local and international bills through its partner banks such as Maybank, BDO, Unionbank, PNB, Security Bank, RCBC, and Metrobank. Residents can also use e-wallets such as All Easy, GCash, and PayMaya to remit their payments.

As Filipinos’ home of choice, BRIA Homes follows a reliable formula—Affordability (Mura) + Quality (Dekalidad) = A Beautiful BRIA Home for Every Filipino.

Interested homebuyers can head to BRIA’s website for 360 virtual tours, or inquire online through the BRIA Facebook page. Prospective homeowners can also reserve a property online via BRIA’s online reservation page.

 

BRIA Homes is a subsidiary of GOLDEN MV Holdings, Inc., .one of the largest real estate companies in the country. BRIA Homes is primed to bring quality and affordable house and lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families. This is the goal that drives every single employee in the company, for which the ultimate fulfillment is seeing a client happily moving into BRIA’s homes.

To know more, visit their website at www.bria.com.ph, like and follow “Bria Homes, Inc.” on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Spotify, Viber Community, Telegram Channel, Kakao Talk, LINE and WhatsApp, or call 0939-887-9637.

 

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY: #PictureLifeTogether With OPPO Reno5 4G Made More Affordable at PHP16,999

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- Don’t miss the deal of the month! OPPO officially announces its limited-time offer for OPPO Reno5 4G that now retails at PHP16,999 slashing off PHP2,000 from its original SRP plus a free shipping offer from June 18 until June 30. OPPO Reno5 4G originally retails at PHP18,999. 

Picture Life Together With A Smartphone Powerhouse

OPPO Reno5 4G is built with promising features both for camera and gaming. Making the handset ideal for users who are into content creation and mobile gaming. Starting off with its 44MP selfie camera and its 64MP AI Quadcamera setup, these power cameras guarantee crisper, clearer photos and videos even in low light with its smart AI camera features AI Video Highlight, Ultra Dark Mode, and the AI Color Portrait video and AI Mixed Portrait for some creative content. 

Meanwhile, its gaming features are wow-worthy for the mobile gaming enthusiasts. On the hardware, Reno5 4G has 8GB RAM and 128GB of ROM expandable to 256GB via microSD, making the handset faster and smoother during gameplay. Duration on a power-level can run perfectly at its gamer’s peak. It also has 4,310mAh battery supported by its 50W flash charge that can juice up your smartphone in a jiff. 

Smart AI gaming features are programmed on the smartphone, it has Gamer Mode that lets you temporarily tune out interruptions so you can focus on winning your game; while Gaming Shortcut Mode, is a feature where you can go straight to the gaming page in just one tap; and the Adjustable Gaming Touch lets you set your preferred fluidity and touch responsiveness levels for each of your games independently. Additionally, Bullet Screen Message, is its feature that provides in-game notification messaging that will be displayed as a burst on the screen letting you receive messages without leaving the game.

Head to the OPPO Brand Stores and partner dealers near you to avail of the special price drop offer, or simply check out Shopee and Lazada from June 18 to June 30 with a special free shipping offer. The Reno5 4G is available in Starry Black and Fantasy Silver. 

To know more about OPPO Reno5 4G, visit OPPO’s official website at www.oppo.com/ph or via its official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines. 

Brother Philippines officially certified by Great Place To Work

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Staying true to its constant mission to giving Filipinos with a healthy and positive work environment while also providing customers with reliable and high-quality printing products and solutions, Brother Philippines has officially been certified by international workplace culture authority Great Place To Work.

Great Place To Work conducted its survey and assessment of Brother Philippines earlier this year, mainly polling associates on trust, pride in their work, and camaraderie—metrics that comprise the core of what makes a workplace good, in which the company ranked high. The certification is effective from May 2021 until May 2022.

The survey found that 88% of Brother Philippines associates say that the company is a great place to work, compared to 53% of employees in a typical company. The results also showed that 99% of employees felt that management was competent at running the business, 97% felt good about how the company gave back to the community, 97% agreed that special events were celebrated at work, 96% felt that Brother was a safe place to work, and 96% were confident that they had the right resources and equipment for their job.

Various Brother associates also gave their testimonies as part of the survey, primarily citing a supportive and family-like workplace culture that allows them to grow. Brother’s handling of the pandemic situation, in which the company provided employees with medical assistance, incentives, and bonuses, was also praised.

“The environment we work in is a balance of work and fun, responsibility and reward,” said Grace Vizconde, General Manager of Finance and Administration at Brother, in her testimony for Great Place To Work. “We also work as a family, looking after each other, not just in the Philippines but also globally.”

“It’s one of our main goals to foster a great working environment here at Brother Philippines, because this is how we will be able to continue providing Filipinos with the products they need. We are truly happy and proud that Brother has been recognized as a happy workplace,” said Glenn Hocson, President of Brother Philippines.

Great Place To Work is a global analytics and consulting firm that helps companies produce better business results by focusing on the work experience for their employees. For more information about Brother Philippines’ certification, visit the Great Place To Work website at https://www.greatplacetowork.com.ph/gptwcertified/brother-international-philippines-corp/.

For more updates and information, customers may visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BROTHERatyourside/. They can also call the Brother Helpdesk Hotline at (02) 8 581-9898, or through the toll-free line at 1-10-BROTHER or send an email to helpdesk@brother.com.ph.