RedDoorz Leads Industry Discussion on Hospitality’s Strategic Solutions to Battle COVID-19

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• RedDoorz promotes the importance of working hand-in-hand with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and different industry stakeholders to continuously operate during a pandemic. 
   
• The recent industry roundtable led by RedDoorz presents how acquiring quality stays that follow safety measures and taking advantage of available technology is the hotel and accommodations’ new solution to keep afloat from COVID-19.

MANILA, Philippines, May 2021 – The COVID-19 pandemic has pressed pause on the global travel industry and has led to an unprecedented decline for the hotel and accommodations sector in all parts of the world, including the Philippines. RedDoorz, Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing, technology-based hotel management brand, is taking the lead to jumpstart discussions with other industry experts and hoteliers in a bid to offer quick solutions and bounce back from COVID-19’s after effects. 

The recent roundtable discussion organized by RedDoorz entitled “Recovery Strategies of the Hospitality Industry Amidst the Uncertainty of COVID-19” brought together spokespersons from the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) to explore how providing quality stays and implementing safety measures attract customers to their facilities despite the seismic rupture of the pandemic.  

“With the strong support of our tourism stakeholders, especially for RedDoorz and the rest of the hospitality sector, our seal of accreditation represents more certified quality businesses in the country and the international space. Hotels can now easily achieve this and further ensure Filipinos’ safety, comfort, and convenience even after this pandemic as we intend to institute the new digital accreditation system from here on,” said Dir. Virgilio Maguigad, Director for the Tourism Standards and Regulation, DOT. 

The hotel brand has followed crucial requirements to keep their hotels open and has refocused on assisting their partner hotels in securing accreditations and implementing a set of robust cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation protocols through the HygienePass Certification Programme. The said programme even supported several partners to be BOQ-approved hotels. 

Miguel Capistrano III, RedDoorz’s Country Manager for the Philippines mentioned, “The acquisition of 130+ DOT accreditations and 150+ HygienePass certified hotels paved the way for us to keep a stable demand. It provided us up to 40% average range of occupancy rate and allowed the firm to safely serve more than 176,000 Filipinos around the Philippines.” 

As digitalization plays a vital role in the hotel’s daily operations, RedDoorz also fronted its extensive technology systems as an important operational tool to optimize pricing and drive revenue and occupancy based on demand. RedDoorz partner Michelle Ong, and The Henry Hotels and Resorts’ Chief Operating Officer (COO) August Samala, also joined in the roundtable to give their testimony on the benefits of leveraging technology for hotel businesses’ operations and redefine Filipinos’ hospitality experiences. 

“RedDoorz and The Henry Hotels & Resorts both have allotted efforts in providing quality and safer stays in different cities, whether it may be for quarantine, isolation, or leisure purposes. It’s even more interesting to know how new hotel technologies like theirs enhances the industry’s game from the current situation. We commend their team for unifying us as these are challenging times for everyone,” said Samala.  

With RedDoorz anchoring on risk-free travels, working hand-in-hand with the different industry stakeholders is one of their most important facets to speed up the industry’s recovery following the aftermath of COVID-19. RedDoorz hopes to play a key role in the industry for boosting Filipinos' confidence to travel domestically due to the presence of the accredited, safe, and tech-enabled hotels across the country. 

#NoMomLikeYou: Celebrity moms share the realities of parenting in a pandemic

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Being a mom is one of the toughest yet most rewarding jobs in the world. Aside from taking charge of the growth and development of their children, mothers carry a lot of responsibilities in the household. Mothers experience a lot of pressure that oftentimes lead them to feel doubtful and critical about themselves.

PLDT Home tackles these parenting concerns in new video series, showcasing the real stories of parents who continue to conquer parenting fears and the struggles of parent guilt, especially in this pandemic. Inspired by the series, other celebrity moms took to social media to speak up on their own concerns, learning to embrace their unique parenting styles.

Mother of four and wife to chef Luigi Muhlach, Patty Muhlach admitted that raising children in a pandemic is a major challenge despite genuinely enjoying each other’s company and being happy most of the time.

Instagram post by Patty Muhlach

“Our days are not always as rosy as this. We also have our worst days as a couple/family. Luigi and I had to work hard on self-improvement and our marriage. [Our struggles] made us stronger and closer,” she said.

It’s also important, Patty said, that parents acknowledge that “there is no roadmap when it comes to parenting especially during [a] pandemic.”

“At the end of the day, I think it is about having fun and loving each other,” she claimed.

Instagram post by Mikka Padua

The same is true for Mikka Padua who admitted that her biggest takeaway from last year is “having to adjust my expectations.”

“I had to recalibrate the standards I set for myself, my daughter, and my family. [But this] doesn’t mean lowering our expectations, it only means resetting our daily expectations to a more doable amount,” said the mother of Mischka and founder of curated lifestyle platform, Seek the Uniq.

Being a new mother during a pandemic is scary and for style and travel blogger Camille Co, the realities of postpartum depression made it more challenging.

Watch Camille Co’s #NoMomLikeYou video here

“I’m fully aware of postpartum depression. It’s something a lot of people are talking about but I feel like we are not showing this more. So even though you know in your head it’s possible to have postpartum depression, that it’s possible to feel sad about what you’re doing, it’s possible to feel bad about yourself as a mom, it doesn’t really feel real because people just talk about it but they don’t really show it,” she said.

As a new mother to newborn Sienna, Camille’s experience with postpartum depression made her braver as she learns to prioritize what really matters. “I feel like my priorities have shifted to not entirely just focusing on my baby but to make room for my baby. Don’t forget to do things for yourself because when you’re happy, the baby is happy and when you give love to yourself, then you’re also able to give more love to your baby,” she added.

And loving yourself as a person and as a parent meant accepting that you can make mistakes and it’s okay to have flaws because according to DJ and radio host Andi Manzano-Reyes, “Even if you think you have a lot of baggage, or you have a lot of flaws, in the eyes of your kids, you’re perfect.”

Watch Andi Manzano-Reyes’ #NoMomLikeYou video here

Andi admitted that she always set such a high standard for herself as a mom and along the way, the mother of Olivia and Amelia realized that she needed to accept herself just as she is. 

“One piece of advice I’d probably tell myself is: you’re doing great,” she said.

The same realization is what model and entrepreneur Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez discovered: it’s okay if things don’t work out because what’s important is that kids “see the generous manner, connection, and exchange happening in the family.”

Instagram post by Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales

“[Children] are aware parents aren’t perfect beings and mistakes are episodes to pick up wisdom and humor from. We can just start over,” Tweetie explained.

The constant reminder to not be too hard on yourself as a parent has likewise helped journalist Marie Lozano navigate parenting on social media. 

Watch Marie Lozano’s #NoMomLikeYou video here

“There’s just too much noise, too much opinion about parenthood right now. People felt like they had the right to comment asking me about being a mother or asking me about my past relationship. What’s important is living a life that’s real. You don’t have to please anybody,” she said.

Reminding herself that what’s important is that she's giving her 100% as a mom and as a friend to 13-year-old Nikos is not only more than enough--it’s everything.

“I love him unconditionally, better is not necessarily the best. Another parent could be a better parent but I’m the best for him because I’m willing to do anything and willing to try,” Marie said.

In the end, Patty, Mikka, Tweetie, Andi, Camille, and Marie may be in different stages of parenting and may have different parenting experiences but one thing they all agree on is that every parent that gives everything and loves their children is the best parent.

“There has never been a time like this and there has never been a mom like you,” they declared.

As the country’s fastest fixed network, PLDT Home enables families to enjoy the strongest connections that allow them to do all things better and together at home.

Watch the latest heartwarming digital video series in this link: PLDT Home and join the movement by posting online with the hashtag #NoMomLikeYou.

 

Globe K'mmunity and The Ripple Society to donate Tinytan Breathable Masks to say “kamsahamnida” to modern-day heroes

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Globe K’mmunity, together with youth-oriented non-government organization The Ripple Society, is on a mission to bring back smiles despite the pandemic.

During its second anniversary celebration last week, K’mmunity PH ecstatically announced that it has partnered with chibi versions of today’s raved about global K-pop group: Tinytan!

As part of its commitment to keep K’tizens up to speed on the latest K-ollections, K’mmunity will be bringing in Tinytan’s Breathable Mask collection in the Philippines for K’Tizens and hallyu fans alike! The collection will be available through Globe’s 0917 Lifestyle website starting May 17.

 

K’mmunity understands that the past year has been challenging, so as a way to celebrate back-to-back daebak years, K’mmunity and The Ripple Society will be donating masks to today’s modern-day heroes for every Tinytan Breath Mask purchased. This includes medical frontliners, healthcare workers, even delivery riders who are hwaiting despite the pandemic.

 

Through this initiative, Globe K’mmunity and The Ripple Society encourage everyone--from K’Tizens, Globe customers, and K-fans alike--to stan for something meaningful and trigger a ripple effect one TinyTan mask at a time.

 

For those who cannot wait to get their hands on the TinyTan Breathable face masks, orders may be placed through this link: https://0917lifestyle.com/ starting May 17, 2021.

 

Globe’s K’mmunity humbly started as a hallyu hub where K-fans can freely share their love for all things K: K-drama, K-movies, K-pop, and more. Since then, Globe K’mmunity has grown to be the go-to source of passionate K-fans, bringing them closer to their idols through the latest news, as well as exclusive content and events.

As the global health crisis rages on, Globe actively engages in partnerships that advocate for one’s health and well-being to show its support to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), specifically UN SDG No. 3. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs. 

 

For more exciting updates and promos on all things related to K-culture, follow Globe on Facebook and join Kmmunity PH’s groups on Facebook, Twitter and Viber.

Meet the Newest Superstar Maker: PoPinoy, Set to Unleash the Pop Icons of this Generation

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MANILA, Philippines, 26 May 2021 - The newest show on TV5, PoPinoy, proves that Filipino talents can give foreign bands a run for their money. Not convinced? Catch the primer on June 6, Sunday, 8PM on TV5, a week before its grand launch on June 13, Sunday, hosted by Maine Mendoza, The Phenomenal Star, and Paolo Ballesteros, The King of Transformation, no less.

Witness how up and coming boy bands and girl groups vie for the top spot to be the ultimate Pinoy Pop idols in this parallel competition. Yes, scoot over and make room, K-pop stars, because big P-Pop talents are ready to take center stage.

The Ultimate P-Pop Reality Show

From making a big impression on Broadway musicals to winning international music competitions, Filipinos have consistently shown that we are indeed world-class when it comes to musical talent.  PoPinoy is set to show the world that the next global pop sensation may just come from these shores, by combining cutting-edge production, a rigid selection and training process, and A-list hosts and judges.

More than just your average talent search, this new show moreover, holds the distinction of being the ultimate reality show chronicling the journey of these aspiring new talents; from their humble beginnings, their exacting training, and right up to when they take center-stage in the grand finale concert.

Forging Pinoy Heritage in This Modern Millennia 

Just as importantly, PoPinoy’s thrust is to discover and mold the ultimate pop supergroup that will not only be global stage darlings, but be good ambassadors of Filipino culture, as well. Recognizing that Pinoys are naturally gifted with our own unique style of singing and dancing, the show aims to bring these to the fore in each of the aspirants, as they forge their way to the top of the competition.

Top-Tier Mentors

Tasked with the all-important job of honing the aspirants into world-class performers is a rock-solid list of mentors & guest judges. The PoPinoy mentors, or headhunters, form a veritable who’s who in Pinoy showbiz:

• Maja Salvador - Her Majesty

• Jay R - The King of R&B

• DJ Loonyo - The Viral Sensation

• Kayla Rivera - Theater Sweetheart  

While audiences will be glued to the action onstage, these headhunters will be closely watching the aspirants’ every move, analyzing each step, and evaluating every note, with the goal of pointing them in the right direction towards becoming the ultimate Pinoy Pop sensation. 

More Content, More Engagement

Nowadays, audiences always demand more from the content they enjoy and PoPinoy will surely provide quite a variety. It is set to deliver dynamic and upbeat productions that showcase the musical and dance prowess of the contenders. Fans will get to know the individual personalities of each group member and how well he or she meshes with the group through every high-energy performance.

The excitement over PoPinoy is sure to extend beyond the weekly Sunday episodes on TV5. Stay tuned to see how each member of the boy bands and girl groups grows in each episode. The cameras will follow their journey as they pursue their passions and hone their talents with the guidance of top tier mentors. The participants also get a chance to speak directly about their personal struggles, as well as their development in finding ways to collaborate effectively as one unit. Viewers will clearly see that idols are not made overnight. Instead, they invest blood, sweat, and tears. 

Viewers can also watch upcoming supporting content for PoPinoy while waiting for the main show on weekends: “Idols of Pinoy Pop: Manila Sound to KPop, ”a one-episode documentary by Lourd de Vera will premiere on June 6 at 8PM on TV5 and 9:30PM on Colours; “PoPinoy All Access”, a streaming show that will air on weekdays, across all TNT and Popinoy’s social media platforms, will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes, auditions, and an all-access backstage pass;  and “POPDates,” a recap show of the day’s highlights will air on weekdays at 9:30PM beginning June 14, both hosted by Anikka dela Cruz.

Further in the competition, viewers will have access to more content on Colours that focuses on the aspirants’ journey: “POpinoy UpClose,” a chat-musical with interviews featuring those who have advanced to the Top 10, will premiere on July 9 at 9:30PM on Colours and “Journey to the Finish,”  a more intimate  feature-focus show on each of the Top 3 girl-and-boy groups, will premiere on October 9, 9:30PM, both hosted by Adrianna So.

We are excited and proud of this collaboration with TNT and Archangel Media.  Our vision to promote and showcase the best of our new Filipino talents is now being realized with the launch of PoPinoy.  We’ve always believed that our country is a repository of world-class talents who have been acknowledged not only here in our country, but around the globe.  This is what we envision for these young men and women of PoPinoy as they make their own impact in the world of entertainment,”  Cignal’s First Vice President for Channels and Content Management Sienna G. Olaso said. 

In Partnership with TNT 

To help mount PoPinoy, TV5 is teaming up with telco brand TNT, which has been known for championing local talent and Pinoy pride. "Through our partnership with TV5, we aim to give our talented artists a platform to shine and fulfill their dreams while celebrating our original and rapidly-evolving Pinoy Pop music." said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. TNT will also launch its online show, TNT POP Show, hosted by Asia’s Pop Heartthrob, Darren Espanto, which will feature exclusive PoPinoy content such as behind-the-scenes, interesting stories by aspirants, and fun games, among others. 

Stay Tuned For the Premiere Telecast

Watch how PoPinoy finds, develops, and trains the newest P-pop sensation. Meet the boy bands and girl groups who will journey together in this exciting but tough competition that aims to take the Filipino entertainment scene by storm. Watch them undergo rigorous training in dance, singing, personality development, and so much more. And as if pressure from training is not enough, failure to live up to expectations equates to elimination. 

“We are very happy and proud to share PoPinoy with everyone.  It is the result of the collaboration of many brilliant and creative minds from TV5, Cignal, Archangel Media, and TNT. We are thrilled about this partnership as it will showcase world-class Filipino talent here and abroad,” Cignal and TV5 President and CEO Robert P. Galang said.

Catch the primer to PoPinoy on June 6, Sunday, 8PM on TV5, a week before its premiere on June 13, Sunday, 7pm. PoPinoy will also have a catch-up airing on Colours on Cignal ch. 202 HD and 60 SD on Sundays at 9:30pm. TV5 and Colours are also accessible on Cignal Play, free for Android and iOS users. Let this launch of PoPinoy remind every Kapatid that Pinoy talent is unparalleled and always ready to shine. 

'ALPAS': A Digital Concert with Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Johnoy Danao, Ebe Dancel, and Bullet Dumas

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Get ready for a night of soaring anthems and classic sing-alongs as kumu live and GNN hold a virtual concert featuring some of the finest Filipino singer-songwriters of all time.

Dubbed ALPAS, the digital show not only aims to bring live performances for the streaming public, but also promises music fans to experience a semblance of ‘concert’ normalcy in an intimate, stripped-down setting. 

Renowned alternative/pop-rock/folk icons Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Ebe Dancel, Johnoy Danao and Bullet Dumas mark their first time to co-headline a show together, performing as both solo artists and collaborators. The six music acts are also set to perform as a group in a special medley number arranged and produced by award-winning musical director, Ronaldo Tomas. 

With new security and health protocols in place, the virtual showcase will be shot at the outdoor area of Conspiracy Garden Café, an iconic music venue that is home to several music greats and independent bands, and in Madrid, Spain where Kitchie Nadal is currently based. 

As expected, Nadal is excited to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration, and has all the great words to say about the upcoming online show. “I’m excited to work with the artists that I admire in the music industry. It’s an opportunity that I wouldn’t want to miss.” Barbie Almalbis explains that this is as close to playing for a live audience, and that performing in Conspiracy again makes her feel nostalgic. “I’m more than happy to share the stage with the artists that I look up to, and hopefully, the energy and enthusiasm would resonate with the music fans once they see it on the virtual screen. It’s something that we’ve worked hard for.”

Aia, Barbie and Kitchie (ABK) have staged a sold-out, collaborative concerts at the Music Museum in 2016 and 2017, and held a benefit online show in 2020 to raise funds for the employees of indie music venues in Metro Manila. Ebe, Johnoy, and Bullet (3D) on the other hand, have performed as 3D, and went on to headline three, sold-out concerts: twice at the Music Museum in 2015 and 2016, and at the Kia Theatre in 2018. These concerts were organized and produced by GNN. 

Bullet Dumas admits that he missed performing, and that ALPAS came at the right time when everyone needs a source of entertainment to keep them going while public life is on lockdown. “I haven't performed in an actual show since early pandemic,” the young music virtuoso shares in a statement. “People in the live events industry are barely surviving, so this opportunity from KUMU and GNN means a lot to me. And I know how a simple show can move people especially in this crazy era of our lives.” 

Johnoy Danao admits that this is the very first time since 2020 that 3D will be reunited together, and he wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. He’s also looking forward to working with Aia, Barbie and Kitchie on this special project. “It’ll be the first time that all of us are performing together, so I think that’s something to look forward to.”

When asked about what makes ALPAS worth watching despite the lack of an actual “live” audience, Aia De Leon takes pride in what the virtual concert stands for especially in the time of pandemic. “ALPAS is your connection to something real. When the songs hit home, this is your connection to the memory as well as the future promise of the live gig experience.” 

Ebe Dancel echoes Aia’s sentiments, stressing the importance of music in forging a sense of community amidst the most challenging of times. “People, in my opinion, will always need music. As much as we miss the live audience, this will have to do for now. Someday, somehow, we will all see each other again.”

ALPAS: A Digital Concert is set to premiere on June 5, 2021 from 6pm onwards.

Tickets to ALPAS are now available for purchase via kumu, with a price of P499 for general admission. For details on how to buy tickets, go to this site: www.kumu.live