Bring your 2023 Summer Travel goals to life with these six fascinating PH vacation spots

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The long, hot days of summer are finally here and if you’re one of the many who’s up for travel and adventure this season, there are many fascinating tourist and vacation spots around the country you can add to your bucket list.

A recent study by travel and experience platform Klook noted that 87% of Filipinos are raring to travel with many of their destinations of choice within the Philippines as booking for domestic destinations have exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2022.

Domestic travel, according to the Department of Tourism, is expected to make a full recovery this year with the country’s hotel and resorts association reporting that occupancy has breached 2019 numbers and is largely driven by domestic tourism.

With 2023 being dubbed as the year of Revenge Travel, there’s no better time to plan your trip, pack your bags and head-off for an unforgettable adventure. But before you do, ensure your travels are hassle-free by getting Travel Master Insurance with COVID-19.

“It’s summer and we’re sure that many Filipinos are already picking out the destinations they want to travel to, especially since the Philippines has so many beautiful sites to see–from beautiful beaches to beautiful towns and cities–there’s something for every kind of traveler. Traveling should be fun, stress-free, and hassle-free, this is why we created Travel Master insurance–to provide our travelers the peace of mind and protection from any kind of eventuality so they can make the most out of their trips,” said Mario Berta, Igloo’s Country Manager for the Philippines.

Created in partnership with GCash and Malayan Insurance, Travel Master with COVID-19 provides travelers coverage including for personal accidents, flight delays, lost luggage, emergency medical treatment, hospital cash allowance, travel inconvenience benefits, and COVID-19 protection.

To get the Travel Master coverage, simply access the GInsure page available on your GCash app and select Travel and Travel Master with COVID-19. Fill in the form with your travel details and it will immediately provide you with coverage benefits and the premium contribution and you’re set to go.

Travel Master with COVID-19 is available whether you’re planning to travel locally or internationally–making it a flexible and much-needed travel companion anywhere you go.

So if you’re looking for destinations to add to your vacation bucket list, here are six spots around the Philippines to get you started:

Samal Island Tourism Information Center, Facebook

Island Garden City of Samal

Davao del Norte

Located at the heart of the Davao Gulf, the Island Garden City of Samal is known as the largest resort island in the country– home to more than 30 resorts across a 118-kilometer stretch of coastline.

A mere 15-minute boat ride from Davao City, the resort island is a great stop for those who want to soak in the beautiful landscapes and seascapes of the Philippines. Go snorkeling and bask in the beauty of the 150-hectare Coral Garden and Marine Park that includes the Audanao Fish Sanctuary and the Giant Clam Sanctuary. On land, travelers can enjoy exploring the 11.5-hectare government-owned botanical garden and nature park where they can see diverse flora and fauna.

The resort island is also home to the largest colony of fruit bats in the world and they can be seen in their natural habitat at the Monfort Bat cave.

Alona Beach Guide, Website

Alona Beach

Bohol

The Philippines is home to amazing beaches (it has more than 7,000 islands after all) and if you’re on the hunt for a new beach haunt that has white sand beaches like Boracay, Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol is a great spot to add to your travel bucket list.

The white sand beach stretches a good 1.5 kilometers and is in full view of the blue, blue waters of the sea of Bohol. Nature lovers and adventure seekers may also immerse themselves in the rich marine biodiversity of Balicasag Island–a few minutes boat ride from Panglao island. Here you can snorkel and view its 400-meter coral garden and marine sanctuary.

Meanwhile, those who want to get the most out of their vacation and explore more of Bohol can also visit the famous Chocolate Hills, the Mahogany Forest, or take a slow, leisurely ride and a beautiful lunch along the Loboc River with the Loboc River Cruise.

Lacson Ruins, Facebook

The Ruins

Bacolod

Often called the “Taj Mahal of the Philippines,” The Ruins or the Lacson Ruins was the ancestral home of local sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson built in the early 1900s in Talisay, Bacolod City. Inspired by Italian architecture, the Ruins was built in the memory of Don Mariano’s wife Maria, who died giving birth to their 8th child.

During the Second World War, the mansion was burned by Philippine guerillas to prevent it from being used by the Japanese. The mansion burned for three days straight but left behind its beautiful foundation. The Ruins has now become a popular tourist and event spot, especially for weddings because of its romantic history.

For those who want to experience more of the old-age architecture of the Philippines, they can–after visiting the Ruins–take a day trip to the neighboring city of Silay and visit its large collection of perfectly-preserved heritage houses including the Golez Heritage House and the Balay Negrense heritage house and museum.

Museo Orlina, Facebook

Museo Orlina

Tagaytay City

For those who want a more leisurely adventure in cooler climes, Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City, is the perfect place for you.

Located at Hollywood St. Hollywood Subdivision in Tagaytay City, the museum houses the many glass sculptures of famed Filipino visual artist Ramon Orlina. Spend an hour or two exploring the four-floor exhibit area including the Reflections Gallery where Mr. Orlina exhibits videos, images, and documents charting his art journey; and the Naesa Gallery which features an ever-changing exhibition featuring up-and-coming Filipino artists.

If you fancy viewing his work alongside nature, take a walk at the Sculpture Garden and Amphitheater, and cap off the visit with a spectacular view of Taal Lake at the roof deck.

Tam-awan Village, Website

Bell Church, Website

Tam-awan Village and Bell Church

As the Summer Capital of the Philippines, many vacationers travel to Baguio in search for respite from the hot weather. The cooler climate alongside the beautiful nature makes it a must-go destination for anyone regardless of their preference for adventure.

Those who’ve been to Baguio several times would undoubtedly know of its most famous landmarks including Wright Park, Burnham Park, Camp John Hay, and more. But for those who want to discover more of the city and its culture, there’s no better place to visit than the Tam-awan Village and the Bell Church.

Tam-awan Village located in Pinsao Proper, Baguio City is perfect for those interested in art and history. The village features indigenous craftsmanship and Ifugao architecture alongside art pieces made by local artists set within a sprawling and beautiful mountainside forest.

Bell Church, meanwhile, is a 63-year-old Taoist temple located in La Trinidad, Benguet. Here visitors can enjoy the beautiful architecture and the quaint lotus pond and even have their fortunes read by the monks of the temple.

Whether your summer plans are for adventure or relaxation, domestic or international, make your travels all fun and worry-free withTravel Master Insurance with COVID-19 available at the GCash’s GInsure marketplace.

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About Igloo:

Igloo is the first full-stack insurtech firm to emerge from Singapore. It has offices in Singapore, Indonesia,  Thailand,  The  Philippines,  Vietnam  and  Malaysia  and  tech  centers in China and India.  With a mission of making insurance accessible for all, the firm leverages big data, real-time risk assessment, and end-to-end automated claims management to create B2B2C insurance solutions for platform companies and insurance companies. Igloo’s insurance solutions enable companies  to  eliminate  their  exposure  to operational  risk,  create  new  revenue  streams,  and optimize  and  enhance  existing  products  and  services.  Igloo  has  partnered  with  over  55  well-known   brand   names   across   the   markets   in   various   verticals,   including   insurance, telecommunications, e-commerce, hospitality, health tech and financial services.

For more information, please visit https://www.iglooinsure.com/.

Lalamove Collaborates with Toys R Us, MemoExpress, and Unioil to Deliver Care for its partner drivers and their kids

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Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery platform, partnered with Toys R Us, MemoExpress, and Unioil in the Philippines to Deliver Care for Lalamove Bossings through Lalamove’s Deliver Care program.

Four Lalamove partner drivers and kids enjoyed a day of bonding activity by Lalamove to show appreciation to these Lalamove Bossings, in line with The Day of Valor for being heroes on the road. They were brought to an amusement area where they played different games and had fun. It was followed by a sumptuous meal that they shared together. The event was capped off with goodies for the participants through Lalamove’s generous partners.

“Lalamove recognizes that the core of the business are its partner drivers. These hardworking Bossings–our heroes on the road need a break too and so we sought to treat them for a bonding day with their kids–letting them spend more time with people they care about them most,” said Djon Nacario, Managing Director at Lalamove Philippines Managing Director.

With their parents being one of the country’s modern-day heroes, Lalamove Bossings kids’ were asked why they think their parents are their superheroes, and these are what they had to say:

A Strong Solo Parent Bossing

Jovylyn Kabingue is the epitome of a strong woman in life and career. “Pinalaki niya ‘ko ng maayos (She raised me well).” This is what James, her 11-year-old son, tearfully answered when asked why he considers his mom a superhero.

This Lalamove “Lady Bossing” is a solo parent braving the road to provide for her and her son’s needs. Being able to go places allows her to get to know herself more, which is empowering for her.

She remarked that it gives her pride whenever her clients would praise her for being a Lalamove partner driver. “Whatever it is that men can do, women can do, too,” she shared, adding that being a lady partner driver knows no boundaries.

A Tough Mommy Lady Bossing on the road

Catwoman is Althea Jalandoni’s favorite superhero. The 14-year-old daughter of Lalamove Lady Bossing Joy Bell Jalandoni associates her mother with Catwoman for her toughness and beauty. “My mom is my superhero because she can do a man’s job like being a delivery partner driver,” she explained.

Joy Bell is one proud Lalamove Bossing and thankful to the on-demand delivery platform for its inclusivity, allowing anyone to be a partner driver. “Lalamove is a game-changer to our family. My earnings in Lalamove help me in augmenting our budget at home,” she shared.

A Dedicated Daddy Bossing from Pampanga

Al Paguio, a Kapampangan Lalamove partner driver, used to work full-time. But when parenting duty called to take care of his kids, he decided to work part-time. Similar to his eight-year-old son Karl’s favorite superhero Spiderman, Al embodies the famous saying from the comics, “With great power comes great responsibility”. For Karl, his father is a good provider and a hands-on dad.

For Al, Lalamove allows him to be his own businessman. He can address the needs of his children while providing for them at his own time and pace. “Thank you, Lalamove, for coming up with an event like this. Seeing how my son enjoyed playing and bonding with me today – that’s priceless,” he added.

An All-around Daddy Bossing for the family

Renz, Lalamove Bossing Julio Fabian’s 12-year-old son considers his father to have the qualities of Batman – someone who is not afraid of anything. “Papa is my superhero because he helps and provides for our family,” explained Renz.

Since 2020, Julio Fabian has been a Partner Driver, delivering various items anywhere in the Metro and its nearby provinces. And just like Batman, he serves the community by helping businesses fulfill their orders one delivery at a time.

Julio reminds aspiring partner drivers, “Those who want to be part of the growing community of Lalamove Bossings, remember to enjoy what you’re doing and you’ll be surprised by the various places you’ll reach. Most importantly, always be patient with and kind to customers.”

For Nacario, it’s important to give back to the passionate community of Lalamove Bossings through activities like this.

“More than our heroes on the road that help keep business running, our Lalamove Bossings play a much bigger role in their homes and families. That’s why we continue to aid our partner drivers to uplift their lives through a flexible source of income, Panalomove Benefits and hold activities like this that stamp a smile on their faces,” he shared.

Searching for part-time or full-time delivery rider jobs? Lalamove is hiring! Be a Lalamove partner driver by downloading the app at https://www.lalamove.com/en-ph/driver. Get the latest updates on Lalamove by following it on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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ABOUT LALAMOVE

Founded in Hong Kong in 2013, Lalamove is an on-demand delivery platform born with a mission to empower communities by making delivery fast, simple and affordable. At the click of a button, individuals, small businesses and corporations can access a wide fleet of delivery vehicles operated by professional driver partners. Powered by technology, Lalamove seamlessly connects people, vehicles, freights and roads, moving things matter and bringing benefits to local communities in 11 markets across Asia and Latin America.

Joining KonsultaMD's #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run? This guide will help you gear up

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It's time to gear up and make the best of summer with KonsultaMD’s #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run!

On April 30, KonsultaMD's #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run will transform the Vermosa Sports Hub in Bacoor, Cavite into a vibrant, high-energy celebration of health and wellness to mark the launch of the KonsultaMD SuperApp.

Brace yourselves for an unforgettable experience packed with exciting activities and amazing giveaways. The ColorFest Run features three distances– 3K, 5K, and 10K– so whether you're a seasoned runner or a beginner, there's something for you.

Just be sure to bring the following: your race kit, running shoes, sunscreen, water bottle, extra clothes, towel, and of course, your mobile phone or camera to document all the fun! A positive attitude is also a must! There will also be several water and hydration stations available at the event to make sure runners stay hydrated. KonsultaMD has provisions for emergency cases should the need arise.

To keep your energy high throughout the day, one of the country’s most sought-after DJs, maestro DJ Marxx Monterola, will take charge of the bopping hype music. KonsultaMD's ambassador and resident ColorFest runner, Zara Carbonel, will be the host for the festivities, ensuring good vibes and fun. Some of your favorite brands, such as Grab and Pocari Sweat, will also be in attendance.

But hold on tight! There’s even more to enjoy as KonsultaMD and its partner brands get together to bring an explosion of prizes and giveaways at the event. KonsultaMD is also offering an unprecedented opportunity to win a "Lifetime Health Plan” so you won’t have to worry about doctor consultations for the rest of your life.

All participants will also receive medicine delivery discount vouchers. Expect more astonishing surprises on the day itself, as KonsultaMD is keeping them a secret to preserve the thrill of anticipation!

Don't miss your chance to join the KonsultaMD #IWantToBeHere ColorFest Run for half the price. Use the code KMDXCFFAM50 upon checkout to get a 50% discount on your race kit. Register now at http://bit.ly/kmdcolorfest.

"We are delighted to introduce the ColorFest Run and commemorate the launch of our SuperApp alongside our customers. Our ultimate objective is to facilitate access to exceptional healthcare services. We want to show our unwavering dedication to empowering people so they can lead healthier and happier lives,” said KonsultaMD CEO Cholo Tagaysay.

Supercharged with additional features, the country’s largest telehealth provider has transformed the KonsultaMD app into a one-stop shop for all your healthcare needs – from 24/7 online doctor consultations to medicine delivery and at-home labs, diagnostics, and home care among other services.

KonsultaMD doesn't stop with just physical health. The brand also advocates for mental health, consistently leading efforts to destigmatize the illness among Filipinos.

Make sure to follow KonsultaMD’s social media pages for more updates about the ColorFest Run and other exciting events and promotions. For more information about KonsultaMD, visit https://konsulta.md or download the super app on the App Store or Google Play.

It’s giving Gen Z vibes: Top reasons why the new Galaxy A series hits awesome for Content Creators

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Samsung Philippines has officially released the new Galaxy A Series with the Galaxy A54 5G and A34 5G, and social media content creators are high-key vibing with its launch.

Here are the key reasons why today’s style icons love the new Galaxy A54 5G and A34 5G.

Embracing the era of sleek and chic

Content creators Kylie Celebre and Kenn Dayandan strikes a fun pose at the

Entertainment Zone of the Awesome Together Launch.

Funky colors are one of the main highlights of this season, and Samsung owns the trend that has Gen Z content creators like Kylie Celebre, a beauty and lifestyle content creator also loving it. She said, “I honestly love the color selection. It has a very nice vibe and matches a lot of my outfits.” She also relates so much to these phones. “I love such an authentic life and I’m very much myself. I feel like the new Samsung series is very much me. It’s very bold. It’s very authentic.”, Kylie noted.

Meanwhile for Kenn Dayandayan, AKA Kennnito, who is paving the way for more men to wear makeup, Samsung hits differently as the Galaxy A series has been his content creation smartphone of choice since day 1 of his content creator journey. For the new Galaxy A54 5G and A34 5G, what excites him the most is the new design, “As content creators, it’s part of our idea to live an aesthetic life. I kind of want an exterior super pleasing to the eyes, sleek and really aesthetic.”

Chelsea Valencia, a YouTube and Instagram content creator shared, “The lime and violet, I feel like it’s very eye candy. Not a lot of phones have those colors because usually they’re silver, gold; so, having those colors, it’s something new to the eyes.”

She’s also into the design of phones. “I saw it has a glass back panel. Usually, when you look at a phone that has a color you would think that it’s not super luxurious looking. But with the colors and on top of that, a glass back panel, it gives off a luxury vibe.” Chelsea added.

Totally a smartphone that Gen Zs can always vibe with— Awesome Lime when feeling bright and funky, Awesome Violet when in the mood for a chic and soothing vibe, or Awesome Graphite in times when strong-willed self-but-minimalist wins.

From left to right: Content creators Aika Agustin, Bianca Gan, Chelsea Valencia, Ciara Gan, and Patricia Gapay during the Awesome Together Launch event of Samsung held at Marriott Hotel

High-key captures their creativity

Ciara Gan, an art and lifestyle content creator considers smartphones her bestie when it comes to capturing her personality as a content creator and as Gen Zer. “It’s an extension of yourself, and as a creative person, I really like to showcase my creativity with what I can capture…I think it’s [Galaxy A series] a really awesome phone because it has so many different features that you can explore,” shared Ciara.

Aika Agustin echoes this sentiment, sharing how she’s excited about the Nightography feature. Aika mentioned, “I saw that it was very good with daytime photos and also nighttime. Recently nighttime photos are getting hyped, [and] I’m very excited about that. Like no need to bring another camera just to take nighttime photos.”

Content creator Sofia Yulo smiles for a photo with the new Galaxy A54 5G.

For Sofia Yulo an awesome phone is essential for her, especially as an emerging content creator. She cited, “Being a part of Gen Z, creating content is something we’ve all grown to enjoy. The one thing I look forward to the most is definitely the camera getting better and better."

The new Galaxy A series simplifies content creation, especially for beginners. It allows you to capture excellent pictures and videos while giving you editing options akin to third-party software. It has optimized stabilization, which aids in shooting super steady videos in 1080p resolution, as well as VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization), which reduces video shakiness using motion sensor data and video analysis, and a wider Optical Image Stabilization angle, which helps in minimizing distortion.

Content creation hits differently with a fast-charging battery and extra room for awesome memories

Patricia Gapay, a Gen Z fashion and lifestyle content creator, is thrilled with the newly released Galaxy A series because of its battery life that helps her create content on the go. “Even if you charge really quickly it’s gonna last you pretty much the whole day. Usually, I need to bring a power bank, but at least with the new phone, it will last me all day long”, Patricia cited.

While for Bianca Gan, a YouTube content creator who loves traveling, sees the new Galaxy A series as a reliable smartphone, particularly when creating content during her adventures. She also said, “I’m super excited about the memory–the storage of the phone–because that’s something I personally struggle with sometimes, [is] running out of storage…It’s very powerful and has a lot of storage for me. “

The new Galaxy A Series offers up to 128GB of storage that is expandable with a Micro SD card, so you have plenty of room for your extraordinary memories. Furthermore, the awesome super-fast charging will give you up to 21 hours of video playback and a long battery life that can last up to two days on a single charge. Aside from awesome durability, if you stan brands that forward sustainability, then the Galaxy A34 5G and A54 5G may be your cup of tea. It’s environmentally friendly as Samsung makes its best effort to produce its smartphone products with recycled materials.

Live the same awesomeness as these Gen Z content creators! The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G are available with fantastic deals like Home Credit's flexible payment plans and 0% Credit Card installment plans, and you can also save up to PHP 10,150 by trading-in your old smartphone. There are also bundle deals with other Samsung devices: save 50% on the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and Galaxy Buds2, and save 30% on the Galaxy Watch5 Series. On top of that, the new Galaxy A series also comes with a free travel adapter.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 and A34 5G is available through samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com and MemoXpress Online.

For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/

A Netflix Series: Black Knight, The One Hope To Overturn The World Main trailer for Black Knight finally Unveiled

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Black Knight tells the story of how legendary knight 5-8 and refugee Sa-wol take on the omnipotent Cheonmyeong Group that rules a dystopian Korea ravaged by extreme air pollution, making it uninhabitable without a ventilator.

Dismantling the Crooked World Crafted by Cheonmyeong Group,

Dreaming of an Equal Society

The upcoming series, Black Knight, promises to be an action-packed, adrenaline-fueled adventure that will leave you breathless. The recently released main trailer offers a tantalizing glimpse into a post-apocalyptic universe where the Korean peninsula has become a desert wasteland and only one percent of the population clings to life. The devastated look of Seoul seems outright surreal. 

The legendary deliveryman 5-8 (Kim Woo-bin) works as a lifeline to mankind, delivering oxygen and other necessities in the daytime. At nightfall, however, he transforms into a Black Knight with a plot to upend the order created by Cheonmyeong Group, the de facto ruler of the devastated world. Ryu Seok (Song Seung-heon), the ruthless heir to Cheonmyeong Group, clashes with 5-8 as he defends his vision of a world with no place for the refugees. Seol-ah (Esom), a major at the Defense Intelligence Command, warns 5-8 that chaos may spiral out of hand, while Sa-wol, a refugee who aspires of becoming a Black Knight, boldly climbs onto 5-8's truck, eager to join the fight.

“That’s exactly what we’re trying to change.”

On top of all the drama is the exhilarating action sequences, including heart-stopping car chases on sand dunes, intense firefights, and expertly choreographed hand-to-hand combat. Director Cho Ui-seok aimed to create “more down-to-earth and lively” scenes compared to the original webtoon. While 5-8 plots to overturn the crooked world order, Ryu Seok’s dark ambitions, Sa-wol’s pursuit of becoming a Black Knight, and Seol-ah’s investigation into the sinister secrets of Cheonmyeong’s dirty secrets are all in play. All eyes are on the expansive universe that Black Knight is set to unveil. 

Clear your schedule and prepare to be captivated: Black Knight will be available worldwide on May 12, exclusively on Netflix. 

Title: Black Knight

Based on: Webtoon ‘Delivery Knight’ (written by Lee Yoon-gyun)

Directed by: Cho Ui-seok

Written by: Cho Ui-seok

Starring: Kim Woo-bin, Song Seung-heon, Kang You-seok, Esom etc.

Produced by: PROJECT318 

Distributed by: Netflix

Date: May 12, 2023

Website: www.netflix.com/BlackKnight