Philippines is the next big thing for the Americans - United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) CEO Terry

Tweet

USTOA president Terry Dale 

“The US market is always craving for the next great destination and I sincerely believe you are it. The top selling point of the Philippines will definitely be its tourist destinations and its people. The special DNA you possess when it comes to hospitality has been reconfirmed in my mind many times over. You’ve never been pampered the way you’ll be in the Philippines,” --- United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) CEO Terry Dale 

The Philippines is the next big thing for the Americans according to United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) CEO Terry Dale as he was welcomed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) during his visit to Manila. Upon the invitation of DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Dale’s trip to the Philippines was driven by the desire to experience firsthand the abundant offerings of the country. 

The leading tour operators association in the United States, USTOA is created with the primary purpose of promoting integrity within the US tour operator industry and includes Abercrombie & Kent USA, Adventures by Disney and Celtic Tours World Vacations as some of its distinguished members. 

DOT Usec Ma. Victoria Jasmin and DFA Acting Secretary Laura Del Rosario 

Welcoming Dale during the dinner were DOT Undersecretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin, TPB Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Marketing and Promotions Consuelo Jones and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario. Also joining them were Philippine Airlines President and COO Jaime Bautista and International Sales AVP Eric Tan, Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) President Michelle Victoria, TPB Board Directors and officials as well as some of the country’s travel trade leaders.

PAL’s Jaime Bautista and PTAA’s Michelle Victoria 

TPB’s James Sy, Hernan Narvadez, Consuelo Jones and Karem Miranda 

HRAP’s Eugene Yap and PAL’s Eric Tan 

PACEOS’ Jing Lagandaon, World Trade Center’s Pam Pascual and PHILTOA’s Shan David 

NAITAS’ Wanda Tulfo Teo and Lourdes Japson 

TPB’s Arnold Gonzales, HSMA’s Margie Munsayac, BOI Asec Fe Reyes, PHILTOA’s Fe Abling Yu and HSMA’s Christine Ibarreta 

Dale’s visit brought him to some of the most beautiful destinations in the country such as Bohol and Palawan. According to him, the Philippines is the hottest destination the Americans should experience today because of its elements of surprise and adventure, breath-taking natural wonders and the people’s innate sense of customer-centricity. Dale also highlighted that one of the country’s key assets is its people, emphasizing that Filipinos have the inherent skill to build relationships – one of the reasons why Americans would want to visit the Philippines again.

With must-see tourist spots, hospitable people, a unique culture and rich history woven together in one country, distance will never deter Americans to experience and enjoy the Philippines over and over.

The Odd Couple Season 2 Premieres on RTL CBS Entertainment HD – 15 April, Friday at 9:55pm (8:55pm JKT/BKK)

Tweet

THE ODD COUPLE stars Matthew Perry as endearing slob Oscar Madison and Thomas Lennon as uptight neat freak Felix Unger, two former college buddies who become unlikely roommates after the demise of their marriages.

It’s not long after Oscar lets Felix move in that Oscar fears he’s made a monumental mistake. Oscar’s jack-of-all-trades assistant, Dani, and his long-time agent, Teddy, have their hands full trying to keep Oscar’s career as a sports radio host on track as he deals with his new living situation. 

Fortunately, their quirky next door neighbor Emily helps Felix adapt to his new life as a bachelor and rein in his copious eccentricities. Despite how exasperated Oscar and Felix make each other, in the end, these mismatched friends agree they can help each other move on from their divorces and somehow make this crazy living arrangement work.

Actress Teri Hatcher guest stars on THE ODD COUPLE in a multiple-episode arc in season 2. She will play Charlotte, a smart, successful single mother who lives in Oscar Madison’s (Matthew Perry) building. They meet when Oscar starts dating her nanny, but he soon realizes he’s really interested in Charlotte. Hatcher has delivered memorable performances in film and television since 1990, including her portrayal of Susan Mayer on “Desperate Housewives,” which earned Hatcher a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, and as Lois on the series “Lois and Clark.” Her film credits include “The Big Picture,” “Soapdish,” “Spy Kids,” “Tomorrow Never Dies” and “Coraline.”

Now in Ayala Malls, Free faster Internet, less buffering with Globe GoWifi

Tweet

GoWiFi will also be equipped with Accelerator that allows customers to enjoy the most popular YouTube videos with quicker loading time

In its continuous effort to elevate the state of internet connectivity in the country, Globe is upgrading its customer experience through the roll out of its free premium public WiFi service, GoWiFi, to more locations. It is currently active in most Ayala Malls around the country. A high-speed internet connection of up to 100 Mbps, GoWiFi will be enhanced with Accelerator at selected locations, which lets users enjoy the most popular videos on YouTube with less buffering. 

Customers got to try Globe Telecom’s fast & free WiFi hotspot GoWIFI with speeds of up to 100 Mbps, now powered with Accelerator – a technology that improves the video streaming experience on YouTube with less buffering. GoWiFi is being rolled out in all Ayala Malls and other high traffic establishments around the country. 

Of the many activities Filipinos do on their mobile phones, watching videos on YouTube is one of the most popular. On a standard connection, one may experience pauses while playing a video as the material downloads at the same time. Buffering happens when the device plays the video faster than it downloads.

This paved the way for Globe to boost GoWiFi hotspots with Accelerator to improve the YouTube viewing experience. As a result, customers connected to GoWiFi will not only be able to explore the full Internet on their mobile devices, but through Accelerator, they will also notice a significant improvement when viewing much of YouTube’s most popular content. 

GoWiFi locations equipped with Accelerator store over 150,000 of the most viewed YouTube videos on the local WiFi network, allowing videos to start more quickly and play with less buffering. 

To experience Accelerator, users just need to connect to the GoWiFi network, install and open the YouTube app on their Android devices, then simply click on any video with the teal Accelerator icon to enjoy watching the video without the wait. Accelerator can be enjoyed for as long as the access to GoWiFi is active. You can find more info on Accelerator, plus a map of all locations with Accelerator at youtube.com/accelerator. 

“Every Filipino deserves access to a rich and immersive online experience. With the expansion of our GoWiFi service, everyone who connects to it will have access to a seamless WiFi network and a secure connection for worry-free browsing. Combined with the capabilities of Accelerator, users can enjoy watching the most popular videos on YouTube on their smartphones with significantly improved streaming,” says Senior Advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan. 

Alongside significant improvements in video streaming on mobile, GoWiFi is also a secure access point compared to other public domains. GoWiFi is open to all who visit any Ayala Mall. Globe and non-Globe customers alike will be able to experience the free and fast GoWiFi connection. Users just need to connect to the Ayala Malls GoWiFi signal and register their mobile number. A verification code with instructions will be sent to their phone to complete the connection. 

On GoWiFi, mall goers at any Ayala Mall will also have access to the Ayala Malls A-Portal. A convenient mobile app, it lets one stay updated on the newest shopping promos and dining perks, as well as news about upcoming events, cinema schedules, restaurants, lounges, and transportation hubs. 

Globe will continue to activate more GoWiFi hotspots in major metropolitan areas nationwide throughout the year.

Why investing in beauty is the first step to success

Tweet

(Left to right sitting )Dr. Jose Rivera ( Treas ), Dr. Ma. Angela Lavadia ( VP ), Dr. Daisy King - Ismael ( Pres ), Dr. Rosalina Nadela ( Immediate Past Pres ), Dr. Jasmin Jamora ( Sec )

At the back standing from left to right ( Members of the Board of Directors ): Dr. Roberto Pascual, Dr. Ma. Purita  Paz - Lao, Dr. Blossom Chan, Dr. Donna Sarrosa, Dr. Julie Pabico, Dr. Krissinda Dim-Jamora, Dr. Arnold Yu

Investing requires the right timing, management, and strategic planning.

Still, investing remains risky for some. 

What if there’s an investment where you never lose, an investment that gives you more than an ROI, an investment that gives you the power to become better and achieve greater. Would you take the risk? 

Investing in Beauty is a bet you can’t lose, not when your end goal is Success. 

You’ve hustled and you’ve hustled hard, now that you’re on your way to the top all eyes will be focused on you---leaving no room for mistakes. Not even a blemish.

You’ve invested in your education, experience, shoes, bags, and everything that make up your power look. The next step, earning the power and confidence to face and shape any situation the real world gives you---and only real experts understand this. 

That’s why Philippine Dermatological Society, the Real Beauty Expert recently launched its newest campaign that supports and empowers the go getters of today. 

Philippine Dermatological Society is the only specialty society for dermatology accredited and recognized by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) making them Real Experts in Beauty. 

Unlike other beauty institutions, PDS doctors undergo 3 years of training in PDS accredited hospitals making them skin, hair, and nail experts. Aside from knowledge, PDS doctors are also well-quipped with the technology and skill to make everyone beautiful from the face to the body. Only Real Beauty Experts can give the best care and treatment when it comes to key issues and concerns of women such as wrinkles and sagging skin, pigmentation, and body and face contouring. With the message #BeautyIsPower, PDS assures to give you nothing but the best expert care as you make your way to success. 

Investing in beauty makes a huge difference in your life, personally and professionally. It shapes the way you interact with others and it reflects the opinion you have of yourself. Success is decided by how much you’re willing to invest in yourself, so go ahead, take the leverage of Beauty, invest now, trust PDS, the #DermAuthority. 

“Echorsis”, an out-of-the-box brand of comedy movie opens on April 13

Tweet

The most awaited horror-comedy film of 2016 “Echorsis: Sabunutan Between Good And Evil”  held a special screening at the Cinema 11, SM North EDSA, April 3, 2016. "Echorsis" starring John Lapus, Kean Cipriano, and Alex Medina.

It has been the talk of the town even weeks prior to its April 13 opening in cinemas nationwide, "Echorsis" official trailer has so far gone viral and received over four million views.

An appeal to moviegoers: Support “Echorsis” by watching it on April 13, its opening day

Just like any independently produced Filipino film, “Echorsis: Sabunutan Between Good And Evil” by critically acclaimed director Lemuel Lorca is at risk of being pulled out of movie houses if it doesn’t perform well on its first day. 

Alex Medina

Thus, the cast and crew of the much anticipated horror-comedy film appeal to Filipino moviegoers to watch “Echorsis” on April 13, its opening day.

“Sana sumugod sa sinehan ang milyon-milyong nag-aabang sa ‘Echorsis’ sa opening day pa lang para manatili ito sa line up ng mga pelikula,” says Alex Medina, who plays the lead role of a gay-swindling gigolo in the movie. 

“Naranasan namin sa ‘Heneral Luna’ na matanggal dahil mahina ang benta ng ticket nung first day,” he relates. “Mabuti na lang naging matagumpay ang campaign sa social media na madagdagan ang mga sinehan.”

In “Echorsis: Sabunutan Between Good and Evil,” Medina portrays the role of Carlo, a sweet-tongued and charismatic gigolo, who was possessed by a gay spirit after the death of his lover Kristoff (John Lapus). 

The film, which likewise topbills Callalily vocalist Kean Cipriano as Father Nick, was written by Jerry Gracio and produced by Chris Cahilig of Insight 360.

Kean Cipriano

It is rated R13 by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

Lapus is optimistic that Filipino audiences—particularly the lesbian, gays, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community—will rally behind “Echorsis.” However, he encourages them to come out and watch the film on its first day, to ensure its long run in the cinemas. 

“Nababasa namin sa comments sa official trailer ng Echorsis na maraming naghihintay na ipalabas ito. Sana lang maglabasan sila sa April 13 kasama ng kanilang mga friends para manood bago pa maging huli ang lahat,” he stresses. 

Out-of-the-box Comedy

According to Cahilig, “Echorsis” is an intelligent and out-of-the-box brand of comedy.

‘Echorsis’ producer Chris Cahilig of Insight 360

“The Filipino moviegoers are ready for a black comedy like ‘Echorsis.’ The box-office records of well-made films such as ‘That Thing Called Tadhana,’ ‘English Only,’ and ‘Heneral Luna’ gave us the courage to push through with the project despite its unconventional plot,” explains the producer.

“I am confident that apart from enjoying the patronage of the LGBT community, ‘Echorsis’ will likewise lure the straight population to the cinemas because of its organic humor and its message of love, forgiveness, and acceptance,” says Cahilig. 

“Echorsis” takes pride in bringing together a powerful and award-winning production team led by Lorca, who recently won the best picture trophy in CineFilipino for his film “Ned’s Project.” He is joined by cinematographer Sasha Palomares, editor Benjamin Tolentino, production designer Paul Infante, assistant director Lorna Sanchez, line producer Sarah Pagkalinawan-Brakensiek, and production manager Rowena Concepcion. International composer and arranger Jonathan Ong and his Sonic State Studio team did the music and scoring.

Lemuel Lorca 

Completing the ensemble cast of “Echorsis” are Alessandra de Rossi, Chokoleit, Kiray Celis, Mich Liggayu, Ruby Ruiz, Negi Negra, Bekimon, Nico Antonio, Francine Garcia, Odette Khan, and 1:43’s Yuki Sakamoto, Anjo Resurreccion, Gold Aquino, and Yheen Valero. 

“Echorsis” is supported by BellaVita Land Corp. and McJim Classic Leather.