DOH recognizes PhilHealth’s 20-year achievements

Tweet

From the Department of Health

Acting Secretary of Health Janette P. Loreto-Garin recently underscored the many milestones of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) after two decades of service.

As of April 2014, Philhealth now covers 82% of the entire population. This figure includes the 14.7M poor and near poor families identified by the DSWD’sListahanan whose members include government-employed, privately-employed, individually-paying members, lifetime members, and overseas Filipino workers.

However, Garin noted that one should not remain focused on the number of enrollees alone. What is important after two decades of providing service to the people is the provision of quality service afforded to every Filipino, rich and poor alike.

The Acting Health Chief stressed the need for increased awareness of Philhealth members’ benefits, wider database which in turn translates to improved utilization of resources. Most members, according to Garin, are not fully aware of their benefits.

Private employers should also be encouraged to enroll their employees to Philhealth. Garin explained that enrollment in Philhealth results to improved and increased productivity of workers.

She also called on all stakeholders, including medical societies, legislators, local government units, and other executive officials to work together as Philhealth cannot do it alone. She added that sustainable Universal Health Care is all about us working together.

Other vulnerable members of society now mandated to be enrolled to Philhealth are the elderly, abandoned and neglected children, persons with disabilities,kasambahays, barangay workers without compensation, and project-based employees.

“The promise of health care for the poor without having to pay out-of-pocket expenses is now within reach. Let us work together to surmount challenges and ensure that Universal Health Care becomes a reality for all Filipinos,” Garin concluded.

doh.gov.ph

The Most Popular Ads In the Philippines, Filipino cultural values reflected in top ten YouTube Ads

Tweet

Google Philippines released the 2014 YouTube Ads Leaderboard, revealing that not only do Filipinos respond well to culturally-relevant ads, but that the local advertising industry has gotten more accustomed to placing made-for-web content at the heart of their campaigns.

The leaderboard celebrates the top ten brands that performed best through a combination of popularity (organic views) and promotion (paid views).

Six out of ten of the ads have a distinctly Filipino flavor. Global brands like Coca-Cola — with their “Happiest Thank You” ad taking the #1 spot — use the power of heartwarming authenticity.

“‘The audience of today can't stand anything fake or pretentious," said Merlee Jayme, Chief Creative Officer of DM9 JaymeSyfu, noting that a great piece tells real stories, just as Google’s “Miss Nothing” tells a poignant story of Filipinos all over the world connecting via the web. 

Filipinos continue to show an interest in advertising that feature local celebrities as well. Angel Locsin appearing in Mang Inasal’s prank ad and Angela Nepomuceno’s how-to hair video from Unilever demonstrate the power of this approach. Jollibee Kids Club takes a slightly different track — the cute kids in its boyband might well be the stars of the future.

With an increasingly connected world, the Filipino audience is moved by the same stories as viewers from the rest of the globe. As the world was gripped by World Cup fever, Nike’s all-star ad featuring football stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Wayne Rooney, among others, captivated Filipino interest as well.

As smartphones continue to evolve and penetrate a wider audience, Filipinos were keen to watch an almost four-minute-long product showcase of Samsung Galaxy S5 showing the flagship features of the device. Air New Zealand entertained Filipinos with their in-flight safety video which featured characters from The Hobbit. KLM’s well-trained puppy lost and found service, on the other hand, received awe and admiration from Filipino animal lovers.

The leaderboard is largely populated by ads that were born to be digital, with formats created specifically with YouTube’s audience in mind. #AllergicAkoSa combines the nation’s affinity for music and sharing thoughts online. “Often, they will rant, rave, and actively talk and share about things that they like and dislike,” said Paolo Reyes, Johnson & Johnson’s Sr. Brand Manager of the awareness campaign they created about allergies.

Five of the ten videos are past the three minute mark, which offers a degree of creative freedom for brands — since viewers on YouTube will watch longer videos as long as there is a strong story.

“Recognizing that the digital space is practically bursting at the seams with content choices, it is critical that we offer content that people are actually interested in,” said Dorothy Dee-Ching, Unilever Hair Marketing Director. The content for All Things Hair was defined by the people they serve with, with the topic 'crowd-sourced' from top searches to make sure the content is just what people are looking for.

“The YouTube Ads Leaderboard is a good opportunity for brands to showcase their understanding of the importance of digital marketing in connecting with consumers,” Ryan Morales, Google Philippines Country Marketing Manager said. “We hope the list of creative ads that people choose to watch will encourage the industry to continue watching out for consumer trends and use them to create really good digital marketing campaigns.”

Here is the complete list:

1.	Coca-Cola - Happiest Thank You	3:11
2.	Samsung - Samsung GALAXY S5 - Official Introduction	3:45
3.	Unilever - DIY Fish Tail Braid - All Things Hair	3:41
4.	#AllergicAkoSa - #AllergicAkoSa Song	2:17
5.	Mang Inasal - Angel Locsin Ipinaglaban Ang True Love Niya	1:08
6.	KLM - KLM Lost & Found service	1:43
7.	Air New Zealand - The Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made	4:38
8.	Google - Miss Nothing	1:40
9.	Nike Football - Winner Stays. ft. Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Rooney, Ibrahimović, Iniesta & more	4:12
10.	Jollibee - Dito, MASAYA!	1:34

DepEd, USAID to expand educ access for OSYs, students in conflict-affected areas

Tweet

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) signed the bilateral agreement for Basic Education Programs aiming to increase access to quality education for vulnerable populations such as out-of-school youth (OSY) and students in conflict-affected areas.

Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that through this partnership, the Department will be able to open opportunities not only for students with special needs and pre-primary students but also to OSYs and students who reside in conflict-affected areas. 

He added, “Our mandate is to provide every Filipino child with access to quality education.”

DepEd Undersecretary for Legal and Legislative Affairs Alberto Muyot said, “Education is the primary driver of development.” He added that education should be inclusive and should serve everyone, “especially the least, the lost, and the last.”

US Embassy deputy chief of mission Brian Goldbeck said, “This bilateral education agreement will sustain and reinvigorate our combined efforts to ensure that the Philippines continues its rise as regional and global leader in this new century.”

“Education is a shared responsibility,” Muyot said. He urged the public to take a stand in education and take an active part in shaping the future that every Filipino learner deserves.

Under the agreement, DepEd and USAID will provide life skills training to youth, promote community engagement and peace education, increase capacity of teachers and youth leaders to meet the education needs of youth and vulnerable population through alternative learning areas affected by crisis and conflict.

The partnership intends to strengthen education governance at both national and local levels. It also aims to empower the local government units, communities, and stakeholders to deliver education and training service for OSYs and to increase OSY employability by providing equitable access to relevant education and skills training.

The program also aims to improve learning outcomes in reading, science and mathematics instruction, diagnostics, and teaching and learning materials.

A Sumptuous Spread from Max’s! New Fried Chicken Meal Bundle for only PhP 899

Tweet

Global Filipino brand Max’s Restaurant has recently launched a new offering that’s perfect for a post-holiday treat or for just celebrating the New Year with friends and loved ones.

A sumptuous spread from Max’s after the Christmas Season.  This means festivities will have to end, but celebrations at Max’s are all-year long! 

Max’s beckons its customers to check out its new Fried Chicken meal bundle that is delectably satisfying to the palate and light on the budget. 

Diners get to enjoy Max’s “sarap to the bones” Fried Chicken paired with a steaming bowl of Sinigang na Tyan na Bangus. The meal comes with 4 cups of rice and 4 glasses of any Pepsi softdrink or Iced Tea. Enjoying this feast from Max’s is anything but hefty on the budget. Customers may avail of Max’s Fried Chicken and Sinigang Meal bundle for only PhP 899 - perfect for an intimate gathering with friends or family.

Max’s customers may dine-in at their favorite branch to enjoy these mouthwatering dishes or they may simply dial Max’s delivery hotline 7-9000, or log on to wwwm.maxschicken.com to place their orders.

“With Max’s new offering, our customers get the best of everything – delectable dishes that are signature to Max’s and the most budget-friendly price. Everyday becomes a reason to celebrate as our customers enjoy and share their favorite Max’s dishes to their heart’s content,” enthused Orlando Villanueva, Max’s Restaurant’s Marketing Manager for Dine-In, Take Out, Delivery, and E-Commerce.

Catch Max’s Fried Chicken meal bundle anywhere in the Philippines, for dine-in, take-out or delivery until February 28, 2015.

More about what’s new at Max’s. log on to www.maxschicken.com. 

Visit www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant and be the first to know about the coolest offerings from the Filipino’s most loved brand.

Historic Weekend of Everything That Flies: 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival on Feb 12-15

Tweet

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival marks 19th year is now all set for another historic Weekend of Everything That Flies!

The Philippines’ first, foremost and longest-running gathering of aviators and aviation enthusiasts from around the globe is back for another great festival Weekend of Everything That Flies.

This year’s Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (PIHABF) is set on February 12 to 15 at the Philippine Air Force ADAC Hangar in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

Earlier this year, a memorandum of agreement to hold the annual balloon fiesta was signed by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Arnel Casanova, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Arthur Tugade, Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president, (then) chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano, and Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Foundation Inc. (PIHABF) president Capt. Joy Roa at the Asian Air Safari hangar in Pasay City.

Four full days of flying activities—including hot air ballooning, aerobatic exhibitions, skydiving, powered paragliding, aviation formation, search and rescue flight demonstrations, and balloon bursting, among other aviation spectacles—await attendees and participants to the highly anticipated event.

This year’s highlights include a total of 32 hot air balloons participating from all over the world, with special-shaped balloons featuring Old MacDonald’s Farm, Maximus the Beagle Dog, Burnie the Little Devil, Upside Down Balloon, Miss Daisy, Old Lady & the Shoe, Little Girl and Little Boy, Pink Elephant, Octopus, and Vincent Van Gogh, among a host of colorful traditional balloons.

After the 6:00 AM balloon launch, attendees can also look forward to non-stop flying exhibitions which include skydiving, motorized paragliding, aerobatics, formation flying, radio-controlled model flights, kite-flying, and rocketry, before the balloons fly in again at 5:45 in the afternoon, weather-permitting.

I'ts more fun flying in the Philippines!

Breitling Jet Team Aerobatic Exhibition 18th Hot Air Balloon Festival OMNI Aviation

Activities are not only limited skyward, as the festival grounds are also brimming with fun for the whole family. Watch car-drifting exhibitions while airplanes try to drop flour bombs overhead; catch firefighting and safety demonstrations by the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC); discover unique goods and food finds at the “Fly Market”; see your favorite OPM bands perform onstage courtesy of Radio Republic; for would-be aviators, visit the displays of various aviation schools; learn more about birds and other animal species at the Zoocobia mini zoo; and for lovers, attend a free Valentines Concert staged by Jeepney TV on the 3rd Fiesta night, which falls on Valentine’s Day. A fireworks display and nightglow culminates the four-day event the following evening.

Beauty for a cause

As part of this year’s activities, PIHABF also launched the search for Miss Aviation. First staged in the 1970s, this one-of-a-kind beauty pageant aims to promote, advocate and inspire the youth to take up a career in aviation, and support the country’s local tourism efforts. Twenty (20) female aviation students and professionals will vie for the title which will be awarded onFebruary 10, 2015 during the Annual Aviator’s Ball to be held at the Manila Peninsula.

An outstanding pilot will also be receiving the Aviator of the Year Award during the Annual Aviator’s Ball which is a recognition given to aviators who have made outstanding contributions in upgrading the standards of safety and aviation interests in their regions. Other recognitions to be awarded during the event are: Fixed Wing Pilot of the Year, Helicopter Pilot of the Year, Flight Instructor of the Year, Female Pilot of the Year, CAAP Check Pilot of the Year, CAAP Controller of the Year and Aircraft Mechanic of the Year.

According to Captain Joy Roa, event director, the fiesta is a platform for improving the country’s aviation standing through collaboration and interaction with international aviators. “We have so much to learn from our foreign counterparts, and this fiesta is an opportunity to share and exchange cultures and ideas. Of course, this is also a chance for us to showcase the world renowned Filipino hospitality,” he said.

The PIHABF organizing committee is composed of volunteer aviation experts and industry practitioners who make sure that the fiesta is carefully planned and safety-oriented.

Roa added, “Despite the challenges and the setbacks, we are dogged in our determination to mount this event year after year because more than a spectacle, this is an advocacy for us. We want to educate everyone, especially the youth, about the beauty of aviation and the many life lessons we can learn from it.”

The PIHABF 2015 was made possible with the support of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, Clark Freeport, Clark International Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with media partners the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Malaya Business Insight, Business World, Business Mirror, Pilipino Mirror, Natural 97.9 FM, DWIZ, ABS CBN, and sponsors, SM City Clark, UPS, Prudential Guarantee, Hotdog on Stick, CDO Bibbo Hotdog, Segway, Qube, Kopiko, Rudy Project, The Medical City, Yellow Cab, Tempra, Snow Cone, Flanax, Bonamine, Garant Group and Radio Republic.

Entrance tickets are at Php300 each, which is a donation to the PIHABF Foundation Scholarship Fund, granting scholarships to deserving but underprivileged students pursuing an aviation career in partnership with Air Link International Aviation School and the Philippine Air Transport and Training Services.

Tickets may be purchased at the fiesta’s official website, at Ticketnet outlets, or at the event gates.

For more information and updates on the 19th PIHABF, visit www.philballoonfest.net or its official Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/pihabf.

Here's the 19th PIHABF Schedule of Activities

Other related Post : 
A Weekend of Everything that Flies at 17th International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012

The 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Everything Flies ! Hot Air Balloons at Pampanga

Official Statement of PIHABF Organizing Committee

18th Philippine Intenational Hot Air Balloon