Philippines and Portugal Sign two Agreements to Strengthen Relations

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic in Lisbon, Portugal, Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier of the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon signed on behalf of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism and a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Diplomatic Training and Exchange of Information and documentation,  October 7, 2015.

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism and a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Diplomatic Training and Exchange of Information and documentation at the Portuguese Foreign Ministry on 07 October 2015 by Ambassador Philippe J. Lhuillier (left) and Portuguese Foreign Ministry Secretary General, Ambassador Ana Martinho (right).

Signing for the Portuguese Foreign Ministry was its Secretary General, Ambassador Ana Martinho. The signing was witnessed by the Foreign Ministry’s Chief of State Protocol, the Director of the Diplomatic Institute and the Director for Asia and Oceana. 

Ambassador Lhuillier noted the significance of occasion in the sense that the signing of these two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) institutionalizes formal mechanisms for having more dynamic and closer engagement and bilateral relations between thePhilippines and Portugal.

He said, “The Philippines and Portugal stand to benefit from closer cooperation and relations considering that both countries serve as ideal gateways to each other’s regional markets. Establishing a regular consultation mechanism will allow both countries to develop a roadmap for activities and initiatives aimed at broadening the scope of current engagement in vital areas such as trade, investment, culture, tourism, defense and security.” 

Ambassador Lhuillier further noted that the last two bilateral consultations were held back in 2000 and 2002. He said, “It is high time that the Philippines and Portugal start to more regularly sit down at the table in order to revitalize the bilateral relationship so that both countries can work together in pursuit of common interests and benefits.” 

Regarding the MOU on cooperation in diplomatic training, The Ambassador remarked that this will facilitate interaction between the two countries’ diplomatic training institutes. 

He notes that this will allow Filipino and Portuguese diplomats to learn from each other and exchange views and insights concerning global and regional developments and issues. With the signing of the MOUs concluded, both sides are now looking to hold bilateral consultations by next year.

#QCBlogventure : Historical travel and adventure is available right here in Quezon City

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Enjoying the wonderful world of Quezon City as it celebrates this month of October its 75th Diamond Jubillee Anniversary.

It’s always more fun in the Philippines and traveling within the city I think is a must and discovering good spots in Quezon City is a journey. And here's a part of our historical and fun experience in this years #QCBlogventure to celebrate Quezon City’s 75th Diamond Jubillee Anniversary.

I am one of the bloggers in the group that assigned to journey with the nature and arts in QC.

The first adventure is at the Ecopark at La Mesa Dam La Mesa Ecopark and La Mesa Watershed Nature Reserve.

The Ecopark at La Mesa Dam, what used to be the virgin forest beside the road has been adopted by ABS-CBN Foundation and was lately given a new facelift, converted into an Ecopark.

Now open to the public, undeniably, the most complete family-oriented Nature Park in Metro Manila.

The Ecopark offers a lot of family-oriented activities like Boating Lagoon, Bicycle rides, Swimming Pool, Fitness Trek, Fishing Pond, Camping Ground, Open Amphitheater.

ABS-CBN Foundation's Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Watch) Project collaborated with Metropolitan Waterworks & Sewerage System (MWSS, the government agency that owned La Mesa Watershed) and the Quezon City government to stop illegal settling, poaching and logging through a proactive Bantay Kalikasan Project that aims to rehabilitate, reforest, preserve and protect the area. The Adopt/Protect-A-Tree/Hectare Program was so successful that out of the 1,500 hectares that needed reforestation, only about 158 hectares remain to be planted, providing children and adults with experiential learning about environmental and biodiversity conservation.

La Mesa Ecopark has become a center for Bantay Kalikasan's environmental advocacies and causes. La Mesa Ecopark continues to be a venue for both recreation and raising environmental awareness.

We were lucky and I am really glad that our next adventure is for the first time to see one living hub and nerve center of the arts within a place in Quezon City.

Erehwon Center for the Arts 

The Erehwon Center for the Arts devoted to the Arts, aims to bring together artistic energies of the Filipino here and around the globe, and create a new brilliant rebirth of the arts, which the opportunity of working together with both traditional and modern concepts, media, tools and resources will inspire. This is a living hub and nerve center of the arts in the Philippines and in the region as a whole.

According to Erehwon Chairman and CEO Mr. Rafael Benitez, "it is a space which will provide a multi-sided colloquium of artists eager to advance art to a new and higher level in our world and to strengthen art as a means of communication and understanding among people throughout our contemporary world."

To achieve this, the Center opens a project of space residency for working together in a non-formal education program, exhibiting in large and small shows, as well as storing and documenting artists’ works. 

The Center hopes to stimulate and invigorate art-making in the region, and will give the needed boosts to artists and to their role in the contexts and in the region as a whole.

The company, Erehwon Artworld Corporation is a business enterprise offers integrated publishing, design and modern printing services.

The Erehwon Center for the Arts Building is located #1 Don Francisco Street, Villa Beatriz Subdivision, Barangay Old Balara, Quezon City.

After the journey at the arts, we just had a quick sneek at the Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center.

Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center, a 64.58-hectare (159.6-acre) zoological and botanical garden located in Diliman, Quezon City. It was named after Benigno S. "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. The Ninoy Aquino Parks & Wildlife Center has a lagoon, an aquarium, a playground, botanical garden and a Wildlife Rescue Center, which the Department of Environment and Natural Resources uses as a temporary shelter where confiscated, retrieved, donated, sick, abandoned, and injured wild animals are placed to be taken care of. The park houses several indigenous plants and animals such as crab-eating macaques, water monitors, Philippine deer,binturongs, Palawan bearded pigs and several varieties of birds.(Wikipedia)

Quezon City is really one of my comfort places in the country. As the final bloggers adventure is the foodtrip, food journey with side trips to some of the attractions in the vicinity.

We had our snack time or early dinner at Kenny Rogers Roasters at the Matalino St., Brgy. Central, Quezon City.

Kenny Rogers a casual dining restaurant that offers friendly service in a comfortable setting of serving home-style family foods. Kenny Rogers Roasters is well known as "the favourite place for rotisserie roasted chicken.” And it also makes healthy lifestyle choices.

Known for all-time favorites, like Round-up Platter, a medley of 3 side dishes complemented with 1 Kenny's Home-made Muffin.

We also witnessed the Grand Parade of Lights at the Quezon City Hall where we started and ended up the #QCBlogventure this October 10, 2015.

The whole Saturday is not enough to do blogdventure around Quezon City to celebrate the city's 75th anniversary. And on Sunday, I joined the Concert and parade of lights held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle with celebrities and Mayor Herbert Bautista. (Watch out for more updates in the coming stories here)

There are many places worth visiting in Quezon City, Quezon Memorial Circle, a national park and a national shrine, Quezon Memorial Shrine, an entertainment capital and media houses TV and radio buildings, education as UP in Diliman, Ateneo and more.. a shopping destination too, a health and wellness center and hospitals, like Heart Center and many places of government operations, places or restaurants, streets where people can take their foodtrip and festivals… and more.

#QCBlogventure Bloggers group at the rooftop of Erehwon Center of the Arts Building with Erehwon Head and staff (photo: Martin Andrade)

With all these happenings and celebrations, I agree to Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista as he said in one of the events before:

“The 75th Diamond Jubilee of cityhood gives us the perfect opportunity to show off what Quezon City has to offer not only to the country but also to the world, and this can only be achieved successfully if we work hand in hand.”

This is one fun and awesome historical adventure and educational trip! We have seen some and experienced what Quezon City achieved. More great opportunities, travel and adventure is available right here in Quezon City.

Thank you very much to the organizer of ‪#‎QC75‬ ‪#‎QCRocks75‬ #QCBlogventure #‎QuezonCity75thJubileeAnniversary who invited us bloggers to become part of Quezon City’s celebrations.

Happy 75th Anniversary Quezon City!

DepEd opens application for Senior High School teachers

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The Department of Education (DepEd) calls on interested teachers, professionals, practitioners, and experts to apply for full-time and part-time teaching positions for Grades 11 and 12 for the School Year (SY) 2016-2017.

Applicants must be interested in teaching the core curriculum and/or applied and specialized subjects under the four Senior High School (SHS) tracks. 

Interested applicants should be a Filipino citizen. Mandatory requirements for all applicants include letter of intent which shall indicate the statement of purpose or expression of interest, track(s)/stand(s)/subject(s) applying for, and preferred school(s), if any; CSC Form 212, revised 2005 (Personal Data Sheet) in two copies with the latest 2x2 ID picture; certified photocopy of certificates of relevant trainings, if any; certified copy of voter’s ID and/or any proof of residency; National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance; and omnibus certification of authenticity and veracity of all documents submitted and signed by the applicant. 

Expression of intent should be submitted on or before October 30 to their local DepEd Schools Division Office (SDO) with all the mandatory requirements for all applicants and/or additional requirements for permanent full-time positions, for TVL, Arts and Design and Sports Tracks teacher-applicants, and additional requirements for HEI/TVI faculty. 

Expected salaries will range from P19,940 to P39,493. 

Candidates will be ranked according to the DepEd’s criteria for evaluation and selection process. DepEd will also follow general guidelines for the hiring and placement of successful applicants. 

For more information, visit http://www.deped.gov.ph/k-to-12/shs/bulletin.

#TeamCahilig strengthens talent pool

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#TeamCahilig, the emerging talent pool of music and film producer and public relations entrepreneur Chris Cahilig, is fast becoming the hottest artists for corporate events, festivals, and mall and campus shows today.

Each performer or group offers the total package and brings something unique to the table, so to speak. Swoon-worthy all, the incredibly talented young men aren't only certified crowd-drawers; they likewise enjoy a formidable following on social media.

OPM pop heartthrobs 1:43. The most popular and successful Filipino boy band today, multi-awarded 1:43 (pronounced as “one forty-three”). The hunky heartthrobs of 1:43—Anjo Resurreccion, Gold Aquino, Yheen Valero and Yuki Sakamoto—are the voices behind the iconic song "Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,” which was popularized by “PBB Teens” and “Juan dela Cruz” in ABS-CBN.

OPM pop heartthrobs 1:43

The most popular and successful Filipino boy band today, multi-awarded 1:43 (pronounced as “one forty-three”) has seamlessly morphed from teenyboppers to serious musical idols.

The hunky heartthrobs of 1:43—Anjo Resurreccion, Gold Aquino, Yheen Valero and Yuki Sakamoto—are the voices behind the iconic song "Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,” which was popularized by “PBB Teens” and “Juan dela Cruz” in ABS-CBN. The Youtube videos of the song have collectively garnered over 70 million views so far and the song is continuously being used as soundtrack for various TV shows, including “Eat Bulaga” and “Showtime.” 

Likewise, 1:43’s family-oriented song “Ang Saya-Saya” became the official song of “Ismol Family” in GMA 7, while "Hayop sa Ganda" has a cult following among the LGBT audience.

Fresh from performing in a series of shows in Singapore for BellaVita Land Corp., 1:43 is scheduled to fly to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Spain for more shows. The boy band also continues to be a staple in corporate events of biggie clients like Coca-Cola, Great Taste, Talk 'N Text, Levi's, and BellaVita in various parts of the archipelago.

Finally, the members of 1:43 have jump-started their acting careers—they’ll all be launched in the horror-comedy flick “Echorsis” with John Lapus, Kean Cipriano, and Alex Medina. Meanwhile, Gold is starring in the independent film “Water Lemon,” an entry to the upcoming Quezon City International Film Festival by director Lem Lorca.

JBK: music with style. Exceptionally talented Filipino boy band JBK composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario, and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio became popular on Facebook for their a cappella cover videos of OPM, Indonesian, and Malaysian songs.

JBK: music with style

Exceptionally talented Filipino boy band JBK composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario, and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio became popular on Facebook for their a cappella cover videos of OPM, Indonesian, and Malaysian songs.

Usually done in a condominium’s fire exit—and constantly getting into trouble with the security guards for it—JBK gained the moniker #FireExitBoys.

JBK was discovered after the group won the McJim Classic Leather’s “Dreams Get Real” Season 1 talent search. It has since launched a string of successful singles including the radio hits “Anong Meron Ka” and the viral song “Damang-Dama,” which has so far gained over 1.2 million views on Facebook. “Damang-Dama” later on became the official single of Camella Homes. 

This October, the boy band will release their self-titled album “JBK” featuring five original songs.

The talented Neo Domingo. Singer Neo Domingo is an actor, musician, dancer and songwriter; Neo was a member of the erstwhile boy band Take Off—a finalist in X-Factor Philippines and one of the grand champions of Dreams Get Real.

The talented Neo Domingo

Singer Neo Domingo is the voice behind the hit “Pagbigyan Mo Na.” Together with Fifth Dynamics, he started the dance craze “Kaching-Kaching” for Lumina Homes.

Neo, who will soon release his debut album "Ano Tayo?," wields strong influence on social media. With his wonderful voice, Neo is easily a crowd favorite during corporate shows, bar gigs, and other special events.

An actor, musician, dancer and songwriter, Neo was a member of the erstwhile boy band Take Off—a finalist in X-Factor Philippines and one of the grand champions of Dreams Get Real.

Fifth Dynamics: the Happy Band. Fifth Dynamics is bound to leave a mark in Filipino pop culture with their playful type of music and certified hits in "Anyare" and “Pogi Kame.” Composed of Mark Cordovales (vocals), Peter Leyva (lead guitar), Kelvin Bendijo (bass guitar), Wence Escabas (rhythm guitar), and Aldrin Condat (drums), the band will soon release its debut album “Pogi Kame.”

Fifth Dynamics: the Happy Band

Fifth Dynamics is bound to leave a mark in Filipino pop culture with their playful type of music and certified hits in "Anyare" and “Pogi Kame.”

Composed of Mark Cordovales (vocals), Peter Leyva (lead guitar), Kelvin Bendijo (bass guitar), Wence Escabas (rhythm guitar), and Aldrin Condat (drums), the band will soon release its debut album “Pogi Kame.”

Totally cool, unpretentious, and relatable, Fifth Dynamics aspires to bring the fun back into Pinoy music in the tradition of Eraserheads, Kamikazee, and Parokya Ni Edgar. 

#SuperCutey Boys! Boys! Boys! Celebrity all-male dance group Boys! Boys! Boys! is a show-stopping blend of good looks and talent. The five multi-racial members—Chinoys Roppie Eusebio and Gio Hinahon, Filipino-Portuguese Jojo Casimiro, Filipino-American Jason Allen, and Filipino-German Sky Cornejo—have already ignited fire on social media.

#SuperCutey Boys! Boys! Boys!

And it's not only about singing at #TeamCahilig. 

Celebrity all-male dance group Boys! Boys! Boys! is a show-stopping blend of good looks and talent. The five multi-racial members—Chinoys Roppie Eusebio and Gio Hinahon, Filipino-Portuguese Jojo Casimiro, Filipino-American Jason Allen, and Filipino-German Sky Cornejo—have already ignited fire on social media.

Trained by celebrity choreographer Mich Garong, Boys! Boys! Boys! aims to take over the pop dance scene just like Universal Motion Dancers (UMD) and StreetBoys in the ’90s.

#TeamCahilig talents are available for local and international shows. For bookings and inquiries, please contact chriscahilig2011@gmail.com or call 0917-4180808.

Health: Hypertension need not lead to strokes

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More than 1.56 billion people worldwide are expected to have hypertension by 2025, making the disease more alarming to healthcare providers. However, most people diagnosed with the condition have no signs nor symptoms of the disease until they reach its life-threatening stages.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every five adults with high blood pressure—a more general term for hypertension—is unaware of his or her disease, making prevention to deadly consequences such as stroke more difficult than ever.

“Hypertensive patients may experience frequent headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds, but these signs won’t occur until their blood pressure rises to its peak,” said Dr. Amado Nazal, medical director of Pharex HealthCorp. “When left untreated, their high blood pressure may cause them serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.”

About eight out of ten people who had their first stroke are diagnosed with hypertension, which is responsible for worsening the quality of lives of some 14 million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

“You can have high blood pressure for many years without symptoms surfacing every now and then—what people don’t know is that the disease comes like a thief in the night,” Dr. Nazal said.

He added, “This makes regular monitoring of blood pressure all the more important. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important whether you are already hypertensive or not; the challenge comes recognizing the disease and taking action before it leads to stroke.”

Uncontrolled high blood pressure may trigger excessive pressure on a person’s artery walls, damaging the blood vessels and the body’s organs. This is why Pharex HealthCorp., the most prescribed unibranded generics, emphasizes the vital role of lifestyle change in keeping high blood pressure at bay.

Dr. Nazal said, “The first step to achieving lifestyle change is to set an appointment with your healthcare provider. If you suspect that you have hypertension, nothing comes more important than having your blood pressure checked to address it immediately.”

Furthermore, prioritizing lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking and staying physically active will go a long way in preventing high blood pressure and its complications.

“Hypertension is both preventable and treatable, only if you follow the right treatment procedures as prescribed by your doctor,” he said. “When you’re at home, it is best to cut down on salt, eat a balanced diet, and avoid harmful use of alcohol. More importantly, taking your medication to curb hypertension will help you minimize it.”

For hypertensive adults, there is an abundance of high-quality medicines at very low prices that they need to adhere to. If patients will not comply with their medication, Dr. Nazal said that “their quality of life will pay the price.”

He concluded, “Non-compliance to your therapy will cost so much more. Once hypertensive patients learn how to control their blood pressure, it will be easier for them to go back to their normal lives without the fear of having stroke or other chronic diseases.”