Visa application volume from Philippines touches 91% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022

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●       Major destinations include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, and UK (in alphabetical order)

●       Healthy uptick for personalised services such as Visa At Your Doorstep

●       Visa application volume registers 44% growth in 2022 against 2021

Visa applications from Philippines nearly touched the pre-pandemic levels in 2022 driven by pent-up demand, opening of international borders, and eased COVID-related protocols. According to VFS Global, the visa application volume from the Philippines reached 91% of the 2019 pre-pandemic levels in 2022.

When compared with 2021, visa application volume grew by 44% in 2022.

“We saw a healthy demand from Philippines in 2022 with steady volumes witnessed until December. We are confident that the travel momentum will grow even further in 2023 and hence it is advisable for applicants including students, to apply for their visas in advance to avoid last-minute surprises,” said Kaushik Ghosh, Head – Australasia, VFS Global.

Major destinations for visa applicants from Philippines include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, and United Kingdom (in alphabetical order).

Another defining trend noticed in travellers’ behaviour was wider adoption of personalised service which began since the pandemic. Premium optional services such as Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) that enables travellers to book the entire visa experience at a location of their choice, witnessed around 2x growth over the pre-pandemic levels in 2022. When compared with 2021, VAYD saw a 42% rise in 2022. VFS Global offers VAYD for 10 client governments in Philippines – Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Malta, Switzerland, and UK.

“Health considerations continue to be a key determining factor in the new normal, with a large and growing section of travellers becoming conscious about health and safety. As a result, we see an increasing number of travellers opt of such services that provide a seamless visa experience and prioritise safe travel,” added Ghosh.

Peak Season Travel Guide

#ApplyinAdvance

It is recommended to apply for visas as early as booking flights and stay. Most countries accept visa applications up to 90 days (3 months) before your date of travel. According to the revised Schengen Visa Code, effective 09^th February 2020, you can apply for a Schengen visa up to 6 months before your date of travel. Particularly this year with higher demand and limited appointment slots available, we urge applicants to apply for their visa as early as possible

#DoNotFallForFraud

Visa applicants are advised to beware of fraudulent entities who charge fees from customers for scheduling appointments or providing any other services using VFS Global’s name or independently. We do not charge any payment for scheduling appointments. For any assistance, feel free to reach out to one of our staff or send an email to communications@vfsglobal.com

Enjoy our optional value-added services for a seamless visa experience such as:

●       Premium Lounge: Quick, safe, comfortable – get a personalised visa submission experience.

●       Form-filling assistance: Allow our expert staff to assist you in completing your visa application on phone or at a visa application centre

●       Courier Service: We deliver your passport and documents. It’s quick, safe, and convenient.

●       SMS Alerts: Stay updated on the progress of your visa application.

For more information, visit https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/solutions.html.

About VFS Global

VFS Global is the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions. VFS Global is the trusted partner of 67 client governments, operating a global network with more than 3,400 Application Centres in 145 countries. The company has processed over 257 million applications since its inception in 2001. The company manages non-judgmental and administrative tasks related to applications for visa, passport, and consular services for its client governments, enabling them to focus entirely on the critical assessment task. VFS Global has its headquarters in Zurich/Switzerland and Dubai/United Arab Emirates.

VFS Global is majority-owned by funds managed by Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Blackstone seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for their investors, the companies in which they invest, and the communities in which they work. Blackstone’s USD 915 billion in assets under management include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, opportunistic, non-investment grade credit, real assets, and secondary funds, all on a global basis.

The Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation and EQT, a global investment organisation, headquartered in Stockholm/Sweden, hold minority stakes in VFS Global.

SB19’s JOSH CULLEN redefines love song with edgy hip-hop twist in “Pakiusap Lang”

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The song comes with a music video that stars KAIA’s Angela and Charice as his love interests

After debuting as a bonafide solo star with the edgy banger “Wild Tonight,” SB19’s Josh Cullen continues his winning streak with the release of his follow-up single under Sony Music Entertainment.

Aptly titled “Pakiusap Lang,” the P-Pop artist proves that there are no four walls that can contain him when it comes to writing and producing a straightforward love song meshed with trap-laden beats and hip-hop verses.

“The lyrics came from my heart, and I wanted to make sure the arrangement and sonic vibe reflected my Filipino hip-hop side,” Cullen reveals. “My cousin and his friends helped out with the chorus, and we all had a good time putting it together.”

According to SB19’s resident lead rapper and sub-vocalist, “Pakiusap Lang” is a song that is based on his personal experiences and thoughts about relationships. He further explains, “It's all about the struggles of maintaining a relationship when you can't be with your partner all the time due to work or other struggles going on in life. The song encourages the listener to hold on and trust the process.”

A romantic rap ballad that forays into emotional honesty as much as it does with stylistic finesse, “Pakiusap Lang” shows a different side of Cullen: an entertainer that doesn’t need to resort to gimmicks just to prove his point.

The release of the track comes with an upcoming music video that explores the idea of “holding onto the memories of your loved one, even when you know it’s time to let go.” Directed by frequent collaborator Toothless (who also helmed the MV of SB19’s “Bazinga), the visuals bring Cullen’s ideas to life and expand on his initial concept with an element of mystery and an understated delivery.

It also stars KAIA members Angela and Charice, who happen to be the main characters in the MV. The two multi-talented artists also dabbled into acting prior to their debut as a P-Pop artist.

Cullen shares, “When I was planning out the music video for ‘Pakiusap Lang,’ I knew I wanted to create a story that was emotional and impactful. As I was brainstorming ideas, I thought about the possibility of incorporating plot twists into the video, to really capture the viewer's attention. That's when I had the idea to feature KAIA members Angela and Charice in the video. I had worked with them before and knew that they would bring a lot of talent and creativity to the project. Plus, their presence in the video would add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement for viewers. It was a pleasure to work with such talented and dedicated individuals, and I couldn't be happier with how the video turned out.”

“Pakiusap Lang” will be part of Josh Cullen’s upcoming debut EP, which will be released sometime this year. According to the rising multihyphenate, the maiden record sounds like a fusion between hip-hop and pop music, with his cousin Ocho helping him out in producing, conceptualizing, and refining the tracks. “You can expect a mix of different sounds and genre influences, but overall, it's a reflection of my journey as an artist and a person,” Cullen adds.

JOSH CULLEN’s “Pakiusap Lang” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The music video of “WILD TONIGHT” will drop at 7pm on April 21, 2023 (Friday).

FedEx in AMEA Rolls Out Sustainability-Themed ‘50 Days of Caring’ to Celebrate its 50th Birthday

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FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, celebrated “50 days of Caring” undertaking community service programs across the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region as part of a series of initiatives taking place during the countdown to the company’s 50^th birthday on April 17 this year.

 

Over 1000 FedEx volunteers and their families across 22 AMEA markets including Australia, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mainland China, Nigeria, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam undertook a variety of community-based activities focusing on sustainability and environmental protection, education, welfare, and support for the underserved.

 

Some of the programs undertaken include:

 

·        Beach clean-ups in Australia, Mainland China, and South Africa, to reduce waste and build cleaner coastal communities.

·        A park clean-up in Japan, and trash collection drives in India, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa to help deliver a cleaner, trash-free environment.

·        Planting trees in Mainland China, Singapore, India, Vietnam, and addition of plants and shrubs around office facilities in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

·        Giving old fabrics in Thailand, including FedEx retired uniforms in Indonesia a new life through upcycling programs.

·        Hosting educational seminars on eco-living/eating, waste segregation, road safety and sustainable logistics education being held in the Philippines, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea.

·        Meal distribution in India as part of Akshay Patra midday meal program, providing nutritious food to the underserved.

 

 “At FedEx, we believe that a connected world is a better world. Over our first five decades, we’ve helped people and businesses thrive and that includes contributing our resources and our network wherever we can to make a positive difference,” said Kawal Preet, president of Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region at FedEx Express. “I’m incredibly proud to see the impact our team members have made in contributing to a Better World as part of our anniversary celebrations. What unites our team members is our drive to deliver the best results for our customers, our communities, and to build a more sustainable world. We are committed to creating a future that is as transformative as our first five decades have been.”

 

To mark 50 years since FedEx was founded in 1973, the company is continuing to organize events and share stories that celebrate its team members, shine a spotlight on its customers, and give the world a glimpse into what’s next. To learn more about the FedEx 50th birthday celebration, click here.

 

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About FedEx Express

FedEx Express is one of the world's largest express transportation companies, supplying fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed the delivery of time-sensitive shipments by a definite time and date.

 

Addendum:

 

Giving back to local communities has always been part of FedEx culture. FedEx recently announced that it exceeded its FedEx Cares 50 by 50 goal announced in 2019 to help 50 million people ahead of its 50^th birthday.  As one of the most extensive regions within the FedEx global network, the FedEx AMEA team has contributed significantly to this goal over the past years. Some of the key achievements include:

 

·        Donated three charter flights to India at the peak of the Delta variant outbreak, providing hundreds of tonnes of medical supplies and thousands of oxygen concentrators to vulnerable communities.

·        Provided over 50,000 children with access to quality healthcare services across Vietnam under FedEx Delivers Heartbeats Outreach Clinic program – a joint program between FedEx and VinaCapital Foundation since 2012.

·        Collected over 140,000kg of garbage and plastic waste from 21 beaches in Australia, India, Japan and Singapore by the end of 2022.

·        Nurtured nearly 40,000 aspiring students across AMEA through FedEx / JA International Trade Challenge over the past 16 years.

·        Donated more than 30,800 books to more than 5,400 children and set up 32 libraries across Mainland China under the FedEx Library Program.

·        Provided over 1,000 care packages to blue-collar workers in the UAE through collaboration with SmartLife Foundation, and joined the Egyptian Food Bank to pack 1,300 food boxes for the underprivileged in Egypt during Ramadan in 2022.

·        Benefited more than 30,000 children aged 3-9 years old and their families and caregivers through 430 AnQ Safety Awakening cloud classes across Mainland China since 2020.

 

Pop Boy Band A1 Is Coming Back to Manila In Celebration Of Their 25th Anniversary

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The popular British–Norwegian boy band A1 is set to make a comeback here in Manila this October 2023, just in time to celebrate their 25th anniversary in the music industry. This is a highly anticipated event for their Filipino fans who have been waiting for the group's return to the Philippines after their successful concert in 2018. Thus, their upcoming tour is aptly called TWENTY FIVE.

A1

(Ben Adams, Mark Read, Paul Marazzi

& Christian Ingebrigtsen)

A1 has been back to their original line-up, which consists of Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read and Ben Adams, since Paul re-joined the group in 2018 for their 20^th Anniversary Reunion Tour, now 5 years on the band return to celebrate their musical milestone.

The concert, which will be held at the New Frontier Theater, Araneta Center, Quezon City, promises to be a night of pure nostalgia and great music for A1 fans.  Performing their classic hits from their impressive discography including Like a Rose, Everytime, Same Old Brand New You & Caught in the Middle to name but a few that Filipinos learned to love over the years. Likewise, the group feels ecstatic to perform here in Manila once again.

"We're so grateful to our Filipino fans who have supported us throughout the years," says Mark. "It's been 25 years since we started as a group, and we're so excited to be able to celebrate this landmark anniversary with our Filipino fans," he shares.

Back in 2020, A1 got a fantastic reaction when Ben performed a duet of “Like a Rose” with popular OPM star Morissette as an online performance during lockdown.

https://www.facebook.com/a1official/videos/513949315947659

A1 toured Denmark in 2021 & Sweden in 2022. In September 2022 they commenced a headline tour of the UK, where they performed songs from their forthcoming album, although original dates were moved due to pandemic closures and then the Queen’s passing during the tour.

Presented by Concert Republic. A1: TWENTY FIVE - MANILA will be held at New Frontier Theater on Saturday 14^th October 2023 (8PM).

Tickets will go on sale starting Friday, 28^th April 2023 at 12 noon, available at all TicketNet outlets or log on to Ticketnet.com.ph or call (02) 911-5555 for more details. 

Ticket prices:

Orchestra VIP - Reserved Seating – 5,250 Peso

Orchestra B - Reserved Seating – 4,500 Peso

Orchestra C - Reserved Seating – 3,750 Peso

Balcony VIP (Loge) - Reserved Seating – 4,750 Peso

Balcony 1 - Reserved Seating – 3,750 Peso

Balcony 2 - Reserved Seating – 2,750 Peso

*Exclusive of ticket service charge

For more concert updates, check out A1’s Facebook page /a1official or follow Concert Republic’s website www.concertrepublic.com or /@concertrepublic on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

For further information please contact Mel Tyler at Concert Republic.

mel@concertrepublic.com

Tel; +63 917 838 2116

 

Celebrating Earth Day With A Showcase of OPPO’s Innovation on Green Data Center

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Earth Day is a significant occasion for people worldwide to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet. This year's theme, "Invest in Our Planet," resonates with OPPO’s long-term investment in sustainable development.

Aligned with its mission “Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World”, OPPO pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 across its operations. The OPPO AndesBrain (Binhaiwan Bay) IDC, OPPO's first self-built data center, exemplifies its dedication to integrating infrastructure and business innovations to reduce carbon emissions and make a long-term investment in preserving the Earth.

Using 100% renewable energy

In today's digital age, the demand for data storage, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing is constantly growing. The OPPO AndesBrain (Binhaiwan Bay) IDC, which commenced operations in late 2022, serves as OPPO's center for data security, computing, and algorithm innovation.

To minimize carbon emissions, the data center relies on 100% renewable energy sources. Since 2022, it has utilized 6.176 gigawatt-hours of renewable power, equivalent to a reduction of 3,600 tCO2e in emissions. Additionally, with the rainwater harvesting system for cooling circulation applied in the data center, about 30,000 tons of water will be saved annually.

OPPO AndesBrain (Binhaiwan Bay) IDC

Applying immersion cooling technology to enhance energy efficiency

Besides utilizing 100% renewable energy, the OPPO AndesBrain (Binhaiwan Bay) IDC continuously explores and adopts cutting-edge, low-carbon technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. A key breakthrough of this exploration is the research and implementation of immersion cooling technology for GPU server clusters.

Current data centers are estimated to consume up to 3% of the world’s total electricity，and one of the key culprits of this consumption is cooling systems^[1]， which is a significant amount of energy consumption. Efficient heat dissipation method has long been a challenge in the industry. Traditional data centers typically rely on mechanical cooling devices like fans and air conditioners, which consume extra energy and emit higher levels of CO2.

Immersion cooling technology for GPU server clusters is an innovation solution that OPPO employs to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. This technology entails submerging servers directly in a non-conductive liquid, which removes heat generated during operation without requiring active cooling from equipment like fans and air conditioners. The heated liquid circulates, cools, and returns to continue absorbing the heat. The reclaimed heat can be then repurposed in other areas, such as heating in the dormitory and hot water provision, substantially increasing energy efficiency. The adoption of immersion cooling technology leads to a 45% improvement in energy efficiency and an industry-leading data center power usage efficiency (PUE) as low as 1.15.

Immersion cooling technology is applied to improve energy efficiency

Digitalization Carbon Emission Management

As a global technology company operating in over 60 countries and regions, OPPO has also developed a carbon emission data platform, to analyze the data of carbon emission from OPPO’s self-build clouds services and servers worldwide.

Starting from Chinese market in July 2022, OPPO began issuing monthly Carbon Emission Bills caused by OPPO Cloud service to customers as part of a broader effort to foster a green intelligent engine.

Model of OPPO Cloud Carbon Emission Data Platform

OPPO continuously explores innovative solutions to contribute to sustainable development， and green data centers are just one of them. Protecting this Earth requires long-term strategy and commitment, and OPPO is doing our part as a global citizen to work towards a greener future.

To learn more about OPPO's initiatives on carbon neutrality by 2050 in its operation, please refer to the OPPO Climate Action Report: https://www.oppo.com/content/dam/oppo/common/mkt/footer/OPPO-Climate-Action-Report-EN.pdf

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