Philippines is Destination of the Year 2014

Tweet

The Philippines is awarded the Destination of the Year at the 25th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2014, just a few months before the Department of Tourism (DOT) sets on to raise the country’s international profile with its Visit the Philippines Year 2015 campaign.

Secretary of Tourism Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. accepted the award before Asia’s tourism professionals at the Awarding Ceremony and Gala Dinner held on 2 October 2014 at the Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Center in Thailand.

“We would like to thank TTG for the invaluable support extended to our organization in our marketing and information dissemination efforts. As a trusted travel trade publication, it has been a formidable partner throughout these years in bringing the Philippines closer to our markets,” DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. said.

The Philippines was chosen as the region’s most outstanding destination in 2014 for distinguishing itself with its proactive steps and initiatives towards the development and promotion of the travel industry. The Destination of the Year falls under the Outstanding Achievement Awards. Other categories include Travel Personality of the Year, Best Travel Entrepreneur, Best Marketing and Relationship Effort, and Best Trade Supporter. The winners are determined by TTG’s editorial team.

Organized annually by the giant TTG Asia Media’s Travel Trade Publishing group, the TTG Travel Awards has been recognizing the best of Asia-Pacific’s travel trade since 1989. The prestigious travel industry event marks an important time for the industry to recognize the exemplary organizations that raise the bar of excellence. The exclusive event honors stellar organizations and individuals in 4 categories: Travel Supplier, Travel Agency, Outstanding Achievement, and Travel Hall of Fame.

The TTG Travel Awards is now reputed as the most coveted and influential awards to be garnered in the region’s travel industry. The signature trophy, a statuette of Hermes (the god of travel and protector of travellers in ancient Greek mythology), is cast in solid pewter and plated in 24K gold. Weighing two kilograms, the Hermes trophy has since then been the icon of the annual awards.

“This award belongs to all Filipinos. It is the Filipino people that have ensured the acceptance of It’s More Fun in the Philippines as a true and accurate description of the participative and active role every Filipino plays in ensuring a successful and enjoyable visit to the Philippines. Again, the determination of the Filipino people, coupled with the support of our President, Benigno S. Aquino III, is our inspiration to build a brighter tourism future for the Philippines—an industry that is more profitable and more inclusive,” Secretary Jimenez concluded.

The DOT is gearing up its efforts to promote Visit the Philippines Year (VPY) 2015 – an invitation for all to experience the enduring promise of more fun in the Philippines. Encouraging nationwide participation, DOT aims to stamp passports of 10 million visitors to the Philippines as the country hosts major events such as the Papal Visit in January and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meetings and Leaders’ Summit.

itsmorefuninthephilippines.com.ph

DOH extends measles-rubella-polio campaign until October 10

Tweet

From the Department of Health:

The Department of Health (DOH) today announced that children who did not receive the supplemental dose of measles, rubella (MR) and oral polio vaccine (OPV) can still go to health centers and vaccination posts until October 10, 2014.

“We are appealing to parents and caregivers who know that children aged 0-5 years old under their care have not received the vaccines to go to the nearest health center to have them immunized,” Secretary Enrique Ona said.

As of September 30, the country’s national coverage status reached 84% (or 9.6M) of the 11 million eligibles for MR and 81% (10.9M) of the 13 million eligibles for OPV.

Among the regions, the top achievers for both MR and OPV vaccinations are Caraga region with 91%, Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) with 90%, Region 11 (Davao) and Region 12 (SOCCKSARGEN) both with 87%, and Region 5 (Bicol) with 86%.

Among the provinces, the local chief executives reported the following achievements for MR: Lanao del Sur – 112%, Agusan del Sur – 100%, Saranggani – 100%, Surigao del Sur – 96%, and Nueva Vizcaya – 96%. For OPV, the provinces reported the following: Lanao del Sur – 110%, Agusan del Sur – 98%, Saranggani – 95%, Surigao del Sur – 94%, and Davao Oriental – 93%.

The top cities, on the other hand, reported that for MR the top performers are: Cebu City – 128%, Dapitan City – 119%, Tandag City – 117%, Calamba City – 107%, and San Fernando City – 103%. For OPV, the top cities are Cebu City – 126%, Tandag City – 117%, Dapitan City – 107%, Lapu-lapu City – 102%, and Calamba City – 101%.

Subsequently, the DOH together with private volunteers, World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control, and the Church of the Latter-Day Saints will be continuing the rapid coverage assessment and door to door surveillance and mop-up activities to verify whether the target of reaching every purok strategy has been reached.

Fifty one percent of those who have not brought their children to vaccination posts claim that the mothers are busy.

“We are appealing to these mothers to give priority to vaccination. Nakamamatay kapag kulang ang bakuna. Magtulungan tayo upang protektahan ang buong sambayanang Pilipino. There are still pockets of areas where there are children who have not yet been vaccinated, therefore, we are urging the mothers and caregivers of these to have them vaccinated at the nearest health center even as we conduct mop up vaccinations,” the health chief concluded.

doh.gov.ph

Get More out of Money, Get More out of Life!

Tweet

On Saturday, October 11, 2014, a financial adviser will share tips on how to create your own financial game plan, effectively allowing you to get more out of money, and inevitably, get more out of life.

Salve Duplito, resident financial adviser on ANC’s daily show On the Money and a financial education advocate, will share insights that will equip workshop participants with a springboard towards wise management of their personal finances. 

I met Ms. Salve Dulpito last September 26 at New World Hotel Lounge, Makati, in a  a tea party as I was invited by my friend Giancarlo Viterbo, Digital Marketing Head of Pioneer Insurance and my co-member of PBNetwork.

Salve Duplito 

Finding Salve a very positive person, a jolly one and with adventurous spirit. As I listened when she talks about her long walks of life, I could not find any trace of bitterness. She showed her strength during those trying times.

Salve’s story reveals her passion towards her advocacy – having grown up poor, this UP Diliman scholar learned how to manage her money the hard way.

 Her experiences, those trying hard moments, will  come up with entrepreneurial inspirations.

Her epiphany about money happened when she and her husband lost the investment they made in an education plan. She thought, “If only people knew they can save and invest on their own, they won’t buy products like these anymore.” This turning point was the start of a new career for her. 

A Tea party with Ms. Salve Dulpito, September 26 at New World Hotel Lounge, Makati

“This is why financial education has become an advocacy for me, because I was also a victim.” It’s an advocacy shared by Pioneer Life Inc., the company that has made the Get More Out of Money, Get More Out of Life workshop possible.

In this 4-hours workshop, Salve will first guide participants towards an awareness of how their values, and what they value, are interconnected with their behavior towards money. The activities that follow share skills necessary in the framing of an individual financial game plan. At the end of the workshop, financial coaches will be on stand by for one-on-one sessions with participants. 

Want to get more out of money, and more out of life? Then spend just 4 hours with Salve. The minutes will tick by fast, but what you’ll learn may just alter the face of your personal financial landscape forever. 

Get More out of Money, Get More out of Life ! on Saturday, October 11, 2014 , 9 am- 12nn at The Ascott Makati, Glorietta, Makati city. 

Interested participants can take advantage of a P1,800 early bird rate, discounted from the regular P3,500 rate by going to ADeals. Or they can email beamargarita.lobaton@pioneer.com.ph


(Photos by Giancarlo Viterbo and Rafael Pecson III.)

Metrobank honors teachers through World Teachers’ Day celebration

Tweet

To culminate the 2014 National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Teachers’ Month Coordinating Council (NTMCC) spearheaded the advanced Philippine celebration of World Teachers’ Day at the Victorias Sports and Amusement Center in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.

This was the first time the celebration staged in the Visayas to especially honor the teachers who went beyond the call of duty in the wake of the magnitude 7.2 Bohol-Cebu earthquake and the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda, both of which are nearing their anniversaries.

Department of Education Press conference , Natures Village Hotel and Resorts , October 3, 2014 

“We made it a point to be in the Visayas for this year’s World Teacher’s Day celebration as a show of solidarity and support. Through this effort, we want to concretize our message to our Visayan teachers that we are committed to uplifting their morale and in rebuilding their lives following the calamities,” said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepena, who co-chairs the NTMCC together with Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

A motorcade preceded the program, which coincided with a teachers’ fair outside the venue. The Metrobank Group and the Metrobank Purple Hearts Club Sugarlandia chapter have a booth at the teachers’ fair and participated in the program.

“The NTM makes the Philippines the only nation in the world to celebrate teachers for one whole month and serves as a profound expression of gratitude to our teachers who shape minds and touch hearts, for learning cannot take place without professional and well-supported teachers within our midst,” Sobrepena added.

The participation of the Metrobank Group in this year’s NTM also included the 6th Doña V. Tytana Memorial Lecture Series, with the theme “Let’s Build Healthy Schools,” last Oct. 2 at the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City organized by the GT-Metro Foundation (GTMF).

The lecture series was the Metrobank Group’s tribute to teachers whose hands have not only made schools as places for learning and growth, but also painted a bright, healthy future for our children. 2000 Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators president and UP College of Nursing professor Dr. Josefina Tuazon delivered the main lecture targeted at getting schools into the healthy lifestyle mindset.

Jollibee celebrates World Teachers’ Day with exclusive treats

Tweet

In celebration of 2014 World Teacher’s Day, Jollibee lets students pay tribute to their second parents with specially-designed appreciation cards that entitle teachers to exclusive Jollibee treats.

Say ‘Thank you, teacher’ with Jollibee Langhap Sarap Meals.

A teacher’s dedication and hard work go a long way in shaping the future of every student. And there’s probably no better person to thank them for all their efforts than the students themselves.

Jollibee lets students pay tribute to their mentors with an exclusive treat. From October 1 to 10, students will get free specially-designed postcards which they can use to greet their teachers and let them avail of special discounts and freebies. In celebration of World Teacher’s Day, the postcard entitles teachers to a P9 discount on the 1-pc. Chickenjoy Super Value meal, and 3 pieces Peach Mango Pies, free, with every purchase of the 6-pc. Chickenjoy Bucket Favorites!

Students can also thank their teachers, past or present, via an online promo. Simply follow @jollibee on Instagram, take a selfie with their favorite teacher and upload the photo along with their personal thank you message. 

They can tag @jollibee and use the hashtag #Thankfie for a chance to receive surprise treats.

This Teacher’s Day, express your gratitude to the educators who have taught valuable lessons on and off the classroom, and who have treated you like their own. 

Visit any Jollibee store nationwide or follow @jollibee on Instagram.