PHITEX Shines Spotlight on IoT in 2023 Cebu Edition

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The Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2023, the country's premier government-organized travel trade event organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, makes a triumphant return to Cebu City after 16 years. The event aims to present the Philippines' finest tourism attractions, establishments, services, and products to a global audience.

The theme for this year's edition is centered on sustainability in the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), highlighting the country's digitalization and sustainability efforts to meet global demands. Moreover, PHITEX functions as an innovative knowledge-sharing platform. Through its PEPTalk module, PHITEX provides a valuable educational experience to local stakeholders and academia members in the field of tourism, offering insights into the latest advancements in IoT, data privacy, and circular economies.

“We are standing at the crossroads of a digital revolution, where the Internet of Things or IoT, promises to reshape our world. As we navigate this transformative wave, the tourism industry must stand ready. Our task is not only to embrace this digital evolution but also to champion the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernization. This delicate balance is an expertise we, as custodians of our vibrant cultural heritage, must skillfully achieve,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

PHITEX will commence on September 19 with the PHITEX Educational Program (PEP) Talk. This learning opportunity will feature discussions anchored on this year's theme, "Tourism Sustainability in the Era of IoT." Distinguished speakers, including Maria Raisa Ysaac-Orbon, Chief Marketing Officer of Packetworx Inc.; Maricel Gatchalian-Badilla, PhD., Associate Professor of UP Asian Institute of Tourism; Atty. Francis Euston R. Acero, Vice President and Data Privacy Officer of Meralco; Barry Lim, Senior Director, Public Sector & Government Practice, Frost and Sullivan-Singapore; Geoff Andres, Property President of the City of Dreams Manila; and Dawn Mendoza, Program Manager of the Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride, are set to share their insights on tourism trends and sustainability practices in the digital age.

This year's edition will bring together 100 buyers from 18 countries and 168 Philippine seller delegates representing 122 companies for business-to-business interactions. TPB collaborated with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and private sector representatives to carefully screen the buyers, ensuring their quality and legitimacy.

The opening ceremonies of this two-day Travel Exchange will take place on September 20 at the Fili-Nustar Hotel. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco will grace the event alongside Nograles and other DOT officials.

PHITEX is a significant annual marketing event that not only facilitates meetings between qualified international buyers and Philippine sellers through tabletop business appointments. It also offers participants a chance to experience the beauty of Philippine tourism destinations through pre and post familiarization tours in Manila-Rizal, Cagayan de Oro-Bukidnon-Davao, Coron, Palawan, Boracay-Romblon, Cebu-Dumaguete, Pampanga-La Union, and Ilocos Norte and Sur.

For more information about PHITEX, visit https://www.phitex.ph/

Netflix’s first-ever Station ID features an ensemble of Filipino stars for See What’s Next: Philippines 2023

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 It’s giving early Christmas!

Christmas comes early as Netflix kicks off the holiday season by unveiling a See What’s Next: Philippines 2023 lineup of local titles featured in the first-ever Netflix Station ID. The stars of three new Filipino titles coming soon on Netflix—Can’t Buy Me Love (Belle Mariano, Donny Pangilinan), Keys to the Heart (Zanjoe Marudo, Elijah Canlas), and Replacing Chef Chico (Piolo Pascual, Alessandra de Rossi, Sam Milby)—went Christmas caroling at Barangay Netflix together with the country’s sought-after celebrities who starred in recent hits Missed Connections (Miles Ocampo, Kelvin Miranda, Chie Filomeno), and What If (JM de Guzman), two local films that reached the Number 1 spot on Netflix’s top list after their launch on the service. The stars of Seasons (Lovi Poe, Carlo Aquino), another top film that debuted on Netflix, also sent their holiday greetings.

The video is full of Christmas spirit—and Easter eggs for all the Pinoy Netflix titles! Can you spot all six of them? 

• There’s season’s greetings from Seasons’ Kurt and Charlie (Lovi Poe and Carlo Aquino) on a neighbor’s gate.

• Sneak a peek at Keys to the Heart’s Dolly de Leon on a vinyl cover.

• Keys to the Heart’s vinyl record spins as the carolers sing.

• Sing along to Can’t Buy Me Love flashing on a karaoke machine.

• A Bingo shaker, a nod to one of Can’t Buy Me Love’s main characters, doubles as an instrument.

• Peep the Replacing Chef Chico crates as our stars gather for a feast.

Netflix is home to a diverse offering of the best Filipino stories and talents. At the See What’s Next: Philippines 2023 launch, top local directors expressed how excited they were for their titles to be part of this year’s local lineup and why they’re perfect for the Pinoy Christmas.

“Christmas is about family, familial love, friends and it’s during [this] season when we try to evaluate the life that we had the past year, the milestones, failures, disappointment. Just like in our film, What If. What if iba nangyari sa buhay natin in the past year? What if kinuha ko ito or what if ’di ko ginawa ito? So I think it’s also not just a love story, it also helps us reflect kung ano nangyari sa buhay natin,” said Manny Palo, director of What If.

Keys to the Heart director Kerwin Go shared that his upcoming film is a must-watch this holiday season because “Keys to the Heart is a family dramedy. It’s a celebration of family, unconventional families, meaning blended families. It could be a family that you adopt and friends who become family and neighbors who actually become just as important.”

“Replacing Chef Chico is about Ella, the sous chef who takes over Hain’s kitchen. I think it’s perfect for the Christmas season because on the top level it’s about love, friendship, and acceptance,” said director Dan Villegas.  

Replacing Chef Chico showrunner Antoinette Jadaone added, “For Christmas, perfect panoorin with your family, friends, and loved ones yung Replacing Chef Chico because, in every episode, there is a story of family, friendship and/or love, which is celebrated over food. It’s about time that Filipino food gets its proper spotlight. With this series, it’s a Filipino-produced original Netflix series, it’s a celebration of not just family, friends, or love but tayong mga Pinoy will be celebrating the Filipino food that we eat each day. When other countries watch the series, mafi-feel din nila iyon.”

This holiday season, See What’s Next: Philippines 2023’s lineup showcases best-in-class local content available and coming soon on Netflix. These films and series are the perfect watchlist to celebrate a Pinoy Christmas with family and friends. 

REPLACING CHEF CHICO

Launch date: Coming soon

Directed by: Dan Villegas

Showrunner: Antoinette Jadaone

Cast: Piolo Pascual, Alessandra de Rossi, Sam Milby

CAN’T BUY ME LOVE

("Courtesy of Netflix")

Launch date: October 13

Watch the date announcement here

Directed by: Mae Cruz Alviar

Cast: Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano

Logline: Donny plays “Bingo,” a popular online seller juggling different jobs, while Belle plays “Caroline,” who hails from a traditional wealthy Chinese family. 

KEYS TO THE HEART

("Courtesy of Netflix")

Launch date: Coming soon

Directed by: Kerwin Go

Cast: Zanjoe Marudo, Elijah Canlas, Dolly de Leon

Logline: Troubled and alone, a boxer moves in with his long-lost mother and autistic pianist brother — but must fit in with a family he hasn't known for years.

WHAT IF

("Courtesy of Netflix")

Launch date: Now streaming on Netflix

Directed by: Manny Palo

Cast: Alessandra de Rossi, JM de Guzman

Logline: When a pair of newlywed musicians get trapped in a storm on their island honeymoon, they must face difficult truths that could tear their marriage apart.

SEASONS

("Courtesy of Netflix")

Launch date: Now streaming on Netflix

Directed by: Easy Ferrer 

Cast: Lovi Poe, Carlo Aquino

Logline: After a string of failed relationships, two best friends make a deal to take risks and look for love again — but they might just find it in each other.

MISSED CONNECTIONS

("Courtesy of Netflix")

Launch date: Now streaming on Netflix

Directed by: Jelise Chung

Cast: Miles Ocampo, Kelvin Miranda, Chie Filomeno

Logline: After an unforgettable encounter, a hopeless romantic turns to an app to seek out a man she just met — but is he really what she’s looking for?

#SeeWhatsNextPH

#NetflixMasNa

#BrgyNetflix

For more updates on upcoming Filipino stories on Netflix, follow @netflixph on 

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Maria Clara Sangria goes ‘virgin’ with Moira Dela Torre

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Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., the maker of Maria Clara Sangria, introduces its non-alcoholic version while welcoming its newest brand ambassador Moira Dela Torre. 

WHEN it comes to trends for beverages in 2023, alcohol-free options for existing product lines are an emerging product segment. It’s not just about not drinking, however, but about having a choice.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly conscious of the value of health, consumers began making more healthy lifestyle choices, with one of these being the decrease in or abstinence from alcohol consumption. There has been a significant rise in demand for low- to no-alcohol products, as alcohol-free drinks allow consumers to maintain healthy lifestyles, even as social gatherings have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Non-alcoholic drinks provide a sober alternative to liquor without sacrificing the social experience, as people who are not drinkers search for alternatives without compromising their sobriety, as well as their health.

Now, a favorite Filipino drink, sangria, goes “virgin.” Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., the maker of Maria Clara Sangria, the number 1 sangria in the Philippines, introduces its non-alcoholic version while welcoming its newest brand ambassador Moira Dela Torre. 

The fruity and flavorful Maria Clara Virgin Sangria can be enjoyed chilled or over ice for any occasion, anywhere, and without hesitation—a great way to savor the cocktail taste that people love without the worry of what alcohol may do to their bodies, as Maria Clara Virgin delivers full flavor with 0 percent alcohol and with less added sugars.

It is Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.’s mission to help people change the way they celebrate and enjoy special occasions in their lives. The company also aims to cater to all types of consumers in the market, specifically the low-alcohol or non-alcoholic segment.

Now, sangria fans can indulge without the guilt. Maria Clara Virgin will be available in all major retail outlets at an SRP of P192.00.

Pia Wurtzbach Launches ‘Queen of the Universe’ Novel

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Actress-beauty queen-advocate Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey officially launched her book “Queen of the Universe” at the Manila International Book Fair held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The novel is drawn from the Miss Universe 2015’s real-life experiences as a beauty queen and beyond, set against the rich backdrop of Manila’s glittering urban life. It centers on a fictional character named Cleo who has to face unexpected twists and turns and endure challenges to her identity and integrity amidst the dizzying world of beauty pageants.

“Cleo is loosely based on my life story but as you go through the chapters you will see that she goes through her own journey so it’s not me. Medyo magkaiba kami ng path na pupuntahan. I’ll leave that up to you guys to discover when you read the book,” Pia said.

“Queen of the Universe” is one of a handful of books by a Filipino author to launch internationally. Aside from the Philippines, the book is now in Singapore and will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, UAE, and the UK later this year. Its e-book version will be available worldwide starting November 7.

“Queen of the Universe” is published by Tuttle Publishing, one of the oldest American publishers in operation and the world’s largest publisher of books about Asia.

For this project, Pia is represented by her literary agent ABS-CBN Books, best known as the publisher of titles from bestselling authors such as Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Charo Santos-Concio, Vice Ganda, Alex Gonzaga, and Binibining Mia. “Queen of the Universe” is ABS-CBN Books’ first international deal.

Grab a copy of the “Queen of the Universe” at National Bookstore and Fully Booked branches in the Philippines and at Kinokuniya and Times Bookstores in Singapore. US-based readers may already pre-order a copy on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

For more details, like ABS-CBN Books on Facebook at www.facebook.com/abscbnbooks and follow it on Instagram @abscbnbooks

Why effective mold remediation should be prioritized at home or office

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Mold spores (especially indoors) could pose serious risks to people’s health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to molds in the air could bring about ailments including sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, burning eyes, and skin rash. These could also be an immediate trigger for people with asthma, while immunocompromised ones and those with chronic lung disease may incur severe respiratory infections.

The presence of mold easily incurs annoyance in houses or offices. Molds cannot grow without water or moisture. Its fuzzy appearance forming spots or stains on ceilings, walls, and other surfaces should cause an alarm. Molds grow in areas where there are moisture management problems such as water leaks, flooding issues, condensations, and high humidity. Molds colonize porous materials faster in buildings such as wood, drywall, paper materials, insulators and even carpet, fabric and upholstery.

Getting rid of mold is important especially in areas of homes, offices, or establishments that are frequented by people. However, the task is actually not as easy as it seems. This is why mold remediation, which is facilitated by experts utilizing the most effective solutions, is most recommended. The process could be complicated, requiring unique skills and expertise to effectively deal with and control mold contamination.

Mold remediation treatment

Initial Hygiene Mold Remediation Treatment is a multi-step process. The company starts with pre-treatment assessments focusing on comprehensive inspection of an indoor area. This is important in identifying the cause of mold formation summarized in a written report and the recommended next steps.

After the removal, maintenance is critical to prevent the recurrence of molds. Our Post-treatment recommends essential products and services.

While do-it-yourself solutions for mold removal abound, it would always be best to let the professionals handle the problem. Mold can possibly survive simple treatments and may still continue to grow and infect more areas in the house or office. Mold spores will remain and continue contaminating the air people breathe if not effectively controlled at once.

Initial Hygiene, a trusted brand in hygiene services with 120 years of expertise in providing remedies to unwanted manifestations of fungi, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms whether at home, in the office, or just about any indoor space.

Do you have mold concerns? Contact the experts! Call us at (02) 8333 5888 or visit initial.com/ph. To know more about molds and how to keep molds away from your home or offices, follow Initial Hygiene Philippines at Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.