From traditional ryokans to manga-themed stays: Top 10 most wishlisted Airbnb Stays for your next trip to Japan

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It’s time to include Japan on your travel destination list! The Land of the Rising Sun fully reopened for visa-free, individual travel earlier this month and the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines has announced that they are now accepting applications for all visas.

According to latest data from an Airbnb survey conducted among Filipinos this October, 9 in 10 Filipino adults intend to travel to Japan when they are able to and 45 percent ranked Japan their number one travel wishlist destination. The data also showed that 71 percent of Filipino respondents would like to visit a major city in Japan. Approximately a third indicated that having a unique accommodation was important when traveling to Japan.*

Airbnb has further revealed the top searched destinations in Japan by global travelers on the platform:**

1. Osaka

2. Tokyo

3. Shinjuku

4. Shibuya

5. Fukuoka

6. Kyoto

7. Taito

8. Sapporo

9. Okinawa

10. Niseko

Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “We greatly welcome the lifting of Japan’s travel restrictions, as it is an extremely popular destination for international travelers including Filipinos. We know that many are excitedly gearing up to plan holidays for the end-of-year festive season and next year.”

Whether you want to immerse yourself in the buzzy vibes of downtown Tokyo, indulge in Osaka’s incredible culinary scene, or go off-the-beaten-track and discover something new in lesser known but equally beautiful regions like Tohoku — Japan definitely has something to offer for every type of traveler. To help you plan your much-awaited adventure, here are Airbnb’s top 10 most globally wishlisted stays in Japan.*** Dou itashimashite!

For a taste of Japanese living

● [Private room] An old folk house guest house with a goat! Equipped with Wi-Fi - Matakitai (Iwate)

● [Inn house] Yanagi-dori west wing Asakusa A modern Japanese-style luxury house with an open-air bath limited to two people (Tokyo)

For an eccentric yet exciting experience

● Handmade strawbale house Tida House (Hokkaido)

● MANGA design, all-you-can-read comics, 1 bed, free snacks included, free WIFI [Hotel Tavinos Kyoto] (Kyoto)

For the minimalist enthusiast

● 4beds in Tokyo/3min. from the station : Studio B (Tokyo)

● 【Ginza/Tokyo area】 Junior Suite (Free Wi-Fi) (Tokyo)

● YANAKA SOW STANDARD TWIN (Tokyo)

● [Shinagawa Oimachi] Good access to the airport and Shinkansen! A stylish designer hotel that can be used for both business and travel (Tokyo)

For some off-grid exploration

● Enjoy the superb view of Lake Nojiri, a detached house with private sauna Anoie (Nagano)

● Elegant, secluded cabin for couples & families (Nagano)

As travel returns, Airbnb recently announced an exciting new partnership with MUJI Japan to renovate empty homes, shopfronts and government-owned real estate to drive new and creative types of travel accommodation in towns across the country. To start, both parties are converting accommodation owned by Shimizu-cho, Hokkaido into unique stays for travelers – with two MUJI-designed and styled homes now bookable exclusively on Airbnb here and here. Both feature local Hokkaido timber furniture and MUJI-branded tableware, cooking utensils, and home appliances.

*Based on data from a YouGov survey commissioned by Airbnb, that polled 1063 respondents in the Philippines between 6-12 October 2022.

**Based on guest locations that generated the most searches for Japan on the day of the

Japanese government’s announcement, 23 September.

***Based on most wishlisted listing data from Sept 1 - Sept 22, 2022. All Homes referenced are intended purely to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not recommend or endorse specific Home listings on the Airbnb platform.

Wrap up 2022 with new Samsung devices! Galaxy deals up to 65% off during Shopee and Lazada 11.11 Mega Sale

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Looking for holiday gifts? Take this cue and shop early! Wrap up the year by surprising loved ones and giving back to those who deserve it the most. From mobile phones to tablets and wearables, Samsung is starting to gear up for greater holidays and will be offering up to 65% off during the 11.11 Mega Sale on Shopee and Lazada!

In time for the holiday shopping, discounts on Lazada will be up to 50% off1 and discounts on Shopee will be up to 65% off3 on Samsung mobiles, tablets, and wearables. Shoppers will also get a FREE Galaxy Buds2 and a FREE Laneige Perfect Renew Youth Trial Kit worth ₱2,0002 with every purchase of a Galaxy S21 FE 5G.

Exclusively on Shopee, users will be given a 15% off voucher with every Php 1,000 minimum spend plus 0% interest installment promotion offered by SPayLater for the following Galaxy devices:

· Samsung Galaxy Fold4

· Samsung Galaxy Flip4

· Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro

· Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Series

· Samsung Galaxy S22 Series with new exclusive colors (Galaxy S22 in Bora Purple and Galaxy S22 Ultra in Light Blue)

· Samsung Galaxy A13 5G

· Samsung Galaxy A23 5G

· Samsung Galaxy A04s

On top of these Shopee-exclusive vouchers and payment options, shoppers can get a chance to win a Galaxy S22, Tab S8 Ultra, and Z Flip4. To qualify, shoppers must use ShopeePay to send money to any mobile number and Shopee user3.

Every use of the send money feature via ShopeePay earns users a raffle entry to win Galaxy devices. Winners will be announced on the ShopeePay Facebook Page on November 18 and will be notified via push notification and their registered Shopee email.

Join the 11.11 Mega Sale for more updates! Shoppers can also watch out for additional promos on LazLive and ShopeeLive.

Upcoming sales include Lazada and Shopee’s Payday Sale on November 15 and 30, as well as the Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale on November 25 and 28.

Also, stay tuned for the upcoming 12.12 Mega Sale by following Samsung’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Visit the Samsung Flagship Store on Lazada and the Samsung Official Store on Shopee and add to cart now. Check out on November 11-13 to get maximum discounts.

Safe Samsung Shopping

Health and safety protocols are strictly followed in Samsung Experience Stores to keep consumers and employees safe. Adhering to the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Samsung has implemented the mandatory use of face masks, and performs frequent sanitation in all stores.

Samsung Experience Stores also has unique QR health declaration codes to promote a safe and contactless contact tracing process. Product demonstrations are done side-by-side instead of face-to-face while keeping the required safe distance of one (1) meter to make sure everyone is socially distanced.

Be revenge travel ready! Here are tips to stay fresh on the road

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After two years of being cooped up inside our homes, Filipinos are now traveling with a vengeance. This phenomenon, coined as 'revenge travel' in 2021, describes the eager need to make up for lost time by going on adventures, big-splurge vacations, and seeing friends and family more often than usual.

As borders slowly reopen and restrictions start to ease, aspiring travelers have started to revisit their travel plans to make their dream destinations a reality. The urge to make up for lost time and canceled plans has been stronger than ever. Filipinos have a newfound desire to travel like never before.

However, planning for a trip can be both exciting and overwhelming. With all the preparations necessary for travel, staying fresh and keeping your hygiene in check is a must even during long hours on the road.

Ready for your revenge trip? Here are some tips to stay fresh while on the go:

Remember that less is better when packing

When packing personal necessities, Filipinos must remember that less is better. Select airplane-ready sizes (100mL or less!) to maintain your current routine like shampoo, moisturizers, makeup, and even toothpaste.

Luckily, DENTISTE’, the no. 1 premium oral brand in South Korea*, has on-the-go Travel Sets, Mini Mouthwashes, and even Breath Sprays that fit in your carry-on or even your pocket. TSA safe – guaranteed!

A lifesaver for long-haul/red-eyes flights when your mask breath gets funky and a nice pick-me-up during flights.

Skip the generic hotel toothpaste and stay fresh for your entire trip!

Stay Hydrated even when on-the-go

Whether you’re traveling on a budget or not, staying hydrated is a must, although it’s easy to forget to drink water when you’re on the go all day. Drinking water can help prevent bad breath as it helps keep your mouth clean and kill bacteria. Staying hydrated can also help you feel refreshed all day, especially when you’re at a humid destination.

Eat a well-balanced meal

When traveling, our bodies can feel tired and drained from all the activities and long hours on the road. Eating a well-balanced meal is the key to helping keep your body nourished and energized. Avoid overindulging to give your body steady levels of energy which will help you create more fun memories during your vacation.

Keep mints with you at all times

The last thing you want to happen while traveling is to run into someone you know, only to greet them with bad breath - yikes! Breath mints are handy dandy lifesavers that fit in your bag or even your pockets. While there are specialized breath mints designed for the sole purpose of keeping your breath fresh such as DENTISTE’s Love Mints, any minty candy will do.

Using Nighttime toothpaste for traveling long hours

DENTISTE’s Nighttime toothpaste is actually intended to keep our breath fresh overnight. Its all-natural formula fights bacteria and provides a minty fresh breath even after 8 hours.

Made from 14 natural extracts (ingredients like sage, peppermint, and eucalyptus) and free from harsh chemicals, DENTISTE’ Nighttime Toothpaste is part of a recommended 3-step oral ritual of brushing, flossing, and anti-bacterial rinsing. DENTISTE’ also recommends using tongue cleaners, mints, and breath sprays to ensure a full day of fresh breath.

DENTISTE’ products are available - both in full and travel size - online at BeautyMNL, Shopee, Lazada, or any major supermarkets and pharmacies.

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About DENTISTE’

DENTISTE’ is an oral care brand with a specialized line of toothpastes and a wide range of dental products formulated with natural ingredients. Hailed as South Korea’s no. 1 choice for premium oral care in the country*, DENTISTE’ is also well-loved in Japan and Thailand, both by celebrities and consumers.

In the Philippines, the first-of-its-kind “miracle” product was also recognized in the 2021 BeautyMNL Awards for Best of Bath and Body Care, with users expressing their satisfaction with its effectiveness and reliability.

DENTISTE’ also offers other products such as DENTISTE’ Oral Rinse, DENTISTE’ Plus White Hygenic Breath Spray, and DENTISTE’ Tongue Cleaner.

**Brand Customer Loyalty Index 2022: BCLI

SEEK Asia, Tech In Asia concludes regional hybrid conference in Singapore, flies selected Filipino job seekers for free

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JobStreet representatives and delegates at the Tech In Asia Conference

powered by JobStreet by SEEK in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Bringing forth workplace and employee advancement through collective efforts, technology news platform Tech In Asia in collaboration with JobStreet by SEEK recently concluded its regional hybrid conference with the theme Southeast Asia: Built to Last which took place in Singapore.

Joined by over 10,000 participants across Asia, the conference helped attendees navigate bear markets, inflation and other current global events by featuring valuable insights from various key opinion leaders as well as interactive activities. Three lucky Filipino candidates selected by JobStreet Philippines through a social media contest were also given the chance to experience an all-expenses-paid trip and hybrid event at Marina Bay Sands.

Apart from providing entertaining activities for participants through various games and booths, JobStreet by SEEK was also able to tackle the new priorities of today’s digital talent and how companies can understand these to attract better quality hires through a session led by SEEK Asia’s Careers and Connect Platform Chief Growth Officer Yuh Yng Chook.

Digital talents’ increased desire for flexibility

In her talk entitled SEEK Better: The secret to attracting tech talent and leading more fulfilling work lives, Chook shared that digital workers prioritize their flexibility when looking for a job and that this ultimately points back to the importance jobseekers place on maintaining their work-life balance. She added that managers can address these shifting preferences by acknowledging and praising their employees, while ensuring employee welfare.

“In Asia, it’s common for employees to go above and beyond in their roles—but a simple reassurance from their managers would go a long way in ensuring employee satisfaction in the long run,” she said.

This desire for flexibility among digital talents also extends to the geographic location of their employers, with 68% saying that they are willing to work remotely for an overseas company. The data also showed that employers headquartered in certain countries are more attractive than others, with digital talents preferring companies based in the US, followed by the UK, Australia, China and Singapore.

To engage with overseas digital talents, international companies are encouraged to invest in their employment branding to increase their exposure. Organic testimonials through social media platforms and other mediums would be beneficial for companies in the long run.

Digital talents’ investment in social and environmental issues

Chook also highlighted the growing interest of candidates on social and environment issues. Digital talents also care about what’s happening in the world, with more than 60% saying that issues related to diversity and inclusion and environmental responsibility became more important to them over the past year.

These values are urgent enough to today’s digital talents that they would exclude companies who don’t match their personal beliefs from their consideration. According to Chook, companies can respond to this by emphasizing their genuine environmental and social efforts as one of their highlights when recruiting for new talent.

Digital talents’ need for security and certainty

Apart from aforementioned matters, Chook said that digital talents also worry about their future, especially in a constantly changing and evolving tech industry, with 42% saying that they were increasingly concerned about the implications of future innovations to their work. This transition led many jobseekers to be flexible in their career expectations and invest in their skills through self-led and online learning materials.

In order to accommodate these, Chook believes that companies and organizations should consider providing digital employees with an allowance to spend for their courses and training. Not to mention giving employees the space and time they need for their learning as it also gives job seekers the opportunity for further career development.

“To employers, you need to understand the reasons that attract candidates to keep them content enough to stay. To employees, SEEK better. Don’t settle for a job that isn’t making you happy. We’re currently experiencing “The Great Job Boom” with plenty of job opportunities out there, and there has never been a better time to look for a new job and negotiate for better roles,” she added.

These insights align with SEEK’S newest campaign called “SEEK Better” that aims to help provide a wake-up call for employees who feel stuck in their jobs and encourage them to chase after more productive yet fulfilling work lives.

To find job opportunities that align with your values and priorities in life, visit jobstreet.com.ph

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About JobStreet by SEEK

JobStreet is the leading employment platform in Southeast Asia, helping people live more fulfilling and productive working lives and helping organizations succeed. It is a subsidiary of SEEK, a diverse group of companies comprised of a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and has a strong presence across the APAC region, including six Asian markets – Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand—through the JobStreet and JobsDB brands. SEEK attracts over 500 million visits a year in Asia.

Teleperformance donates Php 5 million to Life Project for Youth for social empowerment

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Teleperformance, a global leader in outsourced customer and citizen experience management, has made a donation to non-profit organization Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y) to help prepare young Filipinos in capability building and in pursuing flourishing careers at Teleperformance.

The Php 5 million-donation demonstrates Teleperformance Philippines’ commitment in pursuing sustainable growth by investing in the country’s future: the Filipino youth.

Teleperformance and LP4Y formalize partnership. Teleperformance Founder, Chairman, and CEO Daniel Julien, Group COO Agustin Grisanti, Global Deputy COO Juan Carlos Hincapie, Transformation President Bhupender Singh, Global Business Development President Eric Dupuy, Teleperformance USA, Canada and Philippines CEO Mike Lytle, Teleperformance Philippines CEO Francisco Lara, Teleperformance Philippines COO Joey Marquez, Human Capital Resource Management Senior VP Jeffrey Johnson, and Training, Quality, and Analytics Senior VP Pierre Berube join LP4Y Coach & Project Leader Florent Besson, Country Coordinator Albane d' Harcourt, and LP4Y scholars at the donation presentation held at Teleperformance Philippines office

“We are awarding the amount of five million pesos as sponsorship for 75 youth who will undergo the six months LP4Y program of professional integration and character formation,” said Jeffrey Johnson, Senior Vice President for Human Capital Resource Management, during the donation presentation held recently as part of the Teleperformance Global Executive Leadership visit in Manila.

The newly minted partnership with LP4Y is set to promote youth inclusion by providing skills training and mentorship opportunities to young people in underserved communities. Teleperformance employees will also participate in volunteer opportunities to help youth participants at LP4Y centers, including mentorship programs and contact center skills training.

LP4Y is a Paris-based organization present in 14 countries that is dedicated to the professional and social integration of young adults living in extreme poverty and exclusion. Their training centers focus on training young people to build their life project and develop, through experience, the life skills and professional know-how necessary for their sustainable integration. Currently, they have three training centers in Manila, one in Cebu, and one in Cagayan de Oro.

LP4Y Country Coordinator Albane d' Harcourt, Project Lead for Partnerships and Fundraising Florent Besson, and Coach Rommel Gersava extended their organization’s gratitude together with six LP4Y Youth from Taguig and Payatas who also shared their stories of how LP4Y improved their lives.

“Created in 2009 in Manila, LP4Y expanded and is now operating on a worldwide scale. Our actions are all guided by a core value – we believe that all Youth have potential. That is why we are accompanying them to be entrepreneurs in their lives and shape their own futures,” shared LP4Y Coach & Project Leader for Partnership Florent Besson, who was present during the partnership signing.

Through its partnership with LP4Y, Teleperformance Philippines continues to advocate for this worthy cause to ensure that the youth from underserved communities gain better educational opportunities, as well as access to rewarding and life-long career prospects.

Teleperformance is an ardent proponent of Inclusive Employment through its TP for All Impact Sourcing programs that offer learning, skills development, and career opportunities for people regardless of their social, economic, educational, and physical circumstances.

Since 2012, Teleperformance Philippines has been a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the most important global initiative in terms of sustainable development, by which the company ensures it continues to be a Force for Good in ways that benefit people and communities everywhere.

Through its corporate social responsibility arm Citizen of the World, Teleperformance has engaged their employees to participate in programs and donation drives. Moreover, Teleperformance Philippines sustains its partnership with Gawad Kalinga where a Teleperformance Citizen of the World Village was developed in Tanay, Rizal. One hundred homes were constructed for families and amenities including a community center, learning center, basketball court, and recreational room were also built. Teleperformance continues to support its residents through livelihood and entrepreneurship projects.

Teleperformance is the recipient of the Great Place to Work® certification, and is the first, the largest, and the only company in the Philippines to be Great Place to Work®-certified for five straight years. The company is also one of the Philippines’ Best Workplaces in 2022 and is part of the Asia’s Best Workplace List.

To learn more about Teleperformance Philippines, visit their website at www.teleperformance.ph.