TPB wins “Best NTO” in TTG Travel Awards 2023

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The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), was recognized as the Best National Tourism Organization (NTO) during the 32nd TTG Travel Awards ceremony and gala dinner in Bangkok, Thailand last 28 September 2023.

In accepting the award, TPB’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, expressed her gratitude to all members of the institution as well as its various tourism stakeholders, partners, and organizations for their participation and support of TPB’s tourism projects and initiatives.

Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles accepts the Best National Tourism Organization (NTO) award with Mr. Pierre Quek, Publisher of TTG Asia Media and Serene Foo, Editor Content Lab, TTG Asia Media.

“We receive this award with a deep sense of gratitude and pride for our organization and our beloved country, The Philippines. Your votes have honored us and reaffirmed our commitment to excellence and your support is the cornerstone of our mission to elevate the Philippines as a world-class destination for leisure, MICE, and investment,” TPB COO Nograles declared. “Know that this award only motivates us to work even harder for our shared goals ensuring that every traveler experiences the Philippines at its very best.”

Taking the opportunity to highlight TPB’s top priorities, Nograles mentioned that the country has the finest products and services to offer to travelers from around the world and the agency’s commitment lies in both skillfully and genuinely showcasing the Philippines’ beauty through its people, culture, natural resources, and destinations.

To date, TPB has actively organized, participated in, and supported various projects nationwide and across the globe generating over Php3.9B combined sales leads and Php654.7M media value in country promotions.

Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, the COO of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines holding the award for the Best National Tourism Organization at the 32nd TTG Travel Awards 2023.

Nograles encouraged fellow Filipinos to embrace their own cultural heritage and locally crafted products, drawing inspiration from the wonders and achievements that echo the nation's rich heritage, exceptional creativity, and unparalleled resourcefulness.

Over the past decade, the Philippines has earned several notable accolades from the esteemed award-giving body, including the Best Marketing & Relationship Effort in 2015. Last year, the country was awarded the Best Destination of the Year for the second time after being granted the same title in 2014.

At the 32nd TTG Travel Awards 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. (L-R): Mr. Michael Henssler of Centara, Mr. Puripan Bunnag of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Ms. Parichart Boonclai of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mr. Darren Ng of TTG Asia Media, H.E. Millicent Cruz Paredes, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines in Thailand, Ms. Supatra Chirathivat of Centara, COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles of Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Mr. Vincent U of The Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), Mr. Korakot Chatasingha of Thai Airways (TG), Mr. Kittiphong Sansomboon of Thai Airways (TG) and Mr. Michael Chow of TTG Asia.

TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles with her TPB family showing their deepest gratitude for winning the Best National Tourism Organization at the 32nd TTG Travel Awards.

The TTG Travel Awards, an established annual awards ceremony renowned for celebrating excellence in the travel industry across the Asia-Pacific region, draws the attendance of the industry’s most acclaimed personalities who pioneer proactive steps and initiatives to develop the tourism trade.

Female Leaders Give Opposing Opinions on Issues Faced by Women in Web3

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Filipino-led edutech platform Bitskwela hosted its premiere Web3 debate, Bull or Bear,

at the Philippine Blockchain Week 2023

Bitskwela CPTO Camille Puentespina with the BOBPBW Debaters

The world of Web3 has opened opportunities for everyone to participate in a more transparent internet and create wealth. However, women still face tougher challenges within the industry, including lack of representation, policies, and unfavorable settings, as tackled during the Bull or Bear event held at the Philippine Blockchain Week on September 20, 2023.

Organized by edutech platform Bitskwela, the “Bull or Bear: On-Chain Inclusivity: A Debate on Women Empowerment in Web3” featured six female representatives in the Web3 space who shared contradicting views on significant obstacles that can make it harder for women to thrive in the decentralized web.

Dr. Nataliya Ilyushina, economist and a research fellow at the Blockchain Innovation Hub at RMIT University, believes the lack of regulations in Web3 exposes women to higher risks in the space, leaving them vulnerable to scams and workplace injustices without clear protective measures such as social welfare benefits. On the contrary, Belinda Lim, co-founder of Embolden Ventures, contended that regulations offer protection in traditional industries, highlighting the inclusivity of Web3, where women can experience less discrimination compared to mainstream sectors.

The poll after the debate round revealed that the audience is divided, with 50% agreeing that regulations provide essential protection and structure, while the other 50% appreciates the potential for reduced discrimination in the more open and decentralized nature of Web3.

Meanwhile, Ida Mok, president of Women in Blockchain Asia, argued that women-led initiatives are harder to foster in Web3 because they inherit the male-dominated nature of Web2 industries like finance and agriculture. She cited recent studies that show women only make up 7% of the blockchain workforce and that only 13% of Web3 projects had a female position at the founding table. “Web 3 doesn't exist in isolation… The social barriers still exist, that is why all these initiatives are extremely difficult to foster. The statistics are there, and the numbers don’t lie,” she said.

However, for Ivy Gutierrez of the Lady Traders of Global Miranda Miner Group, Web3 is a newfound niche for women to achieve financial independence, and on a later round, explained why the industry is already conducive to women’s involvement, “Web3 is young but a lot of women already made waves in the industry… and this drives more women to get involved and feel included.”

With a narrow margin, 56% of the audience perceives the male-dominated legacy from Web2 as a hindrance to women-led initiatives in Web3, while the remaining 44% believe Web3 presents a promising avenue for women to attain financial independence.

Entrepreneur and Web3 advocate Juliane Indiongco, also known as Modern Mulan, highlighted the importance of prioritizing women's empowerment in Web3. In contrast, Irene Umar, the CEO of We Guild Games (W3GG), the official guild partner of Yield Guild Games in Southeast Asia, stressed the broader concept of human empowerment within the realm of Web3.

Prior to the debates, keynote speakers including Liza Panowich, marketing manager of OctaFX; Hideki Okada, CEO of Tekkon; Nelson Lumbres, co-founder of ICP Philippines; and June Olivar, client services director of Blockceler8 PR, shared how their platforms are bringing more diversity to the Web3 ecosystem.

Empowering Women in the Web3 Industry

Bitskwela is actively advancing the Web3 education landscape in the Philippines by localizing educational content and fostering a collaborative environment that promotes understanding and awareness in the space.

Camille Puentespina, Chief Product and Tech Officer of Bitskwela, shared in an earlier interview, “We're really trying to drive towards getting the numbers up in terms of the women engaged in the space. Women are very much in business development, marketing, and executive jobs. We really want to push forward and try to recognize as well those in the backstage, those who are really developing and building.”

Jiro Reyes, co-founder and CEO of Bitskwela and Philippine Block Awards 2023 awardee, announced the firm’s strategic partnership with W3GG to support its platforms and community members in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore.

“Our mission to help Filipinos own a piece of the internet continues with this debate. Part of our Web3 education mission is to build events and campaigns that provide a platform for women-led companies to build. Aside from education, Bitskwela also pushes for equal opportunities in the space,” JC Macalintal, CMO of Bitskwela, added.

The “Bull or Bear: On-Chain Inclusivity” event was co-presented by GCrypto, Tekkon, ICP Hub Philippines, and Blockceler8 by Uniquecorn Strategies PR, and supported by the Philippine Blockchain Week, OctaFX, CoinVault, and TikTok.

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About Bitskwela

Bitskwela is a Web3 EduTech company that helps Filipinos own a piece of the internet through educational engagements, management services, products, and events that foster Web3-educated decision-makers and communities.

For more information, visit https://www.bitskwela.com/

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About Bull or Bear

Bull or Bear is Bitskwela’s flagship educational event, positioned as THE PHILIPPINE WEB3 DEBATE Bull or Bear is known in the Web3 community and is looked forward to by the Web3 community. Bull or Bear by Bitskwela has been historically part of the biggest Web3 events in the Philippines, such as last year’s Philippine Web3 Festival and Philippine Blockchain Week.

HUAWEI WATCH GT 4: The Epitome of Fashion-Forward Smartwatch is Coming to the Philippines this October!

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Huawei recently announced Fashion Forward, a new vision for their wearable products, taking their upcoming launches in a style-focused direction. Huawei’s new Fashion Forward manifesto signals that the brand is now taking on these gaps in the market, weaving in fashion and design into its R&D process that has already achieved breakthroughs in Health and Fitness wearable technology.

Designed to be the Centerpiece of Every Conversation

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 represents a bold Fashion Forward step up from the classic GT Series designs, introducing inventive design elements while retaining the modern geometric aesthetics of its predecessors. Each wearable becomes a statement piece that complements the user’s unique style. Huawei consistently enhances the wristwear experience through the use of high-end, durable materials and an expanded range of personalization options.

Meeting All Fashion-Forward Desires

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 series, available in 46mm and 41mm sizes, reflects meticulous craftsmanship in every detail. It achieves new heights in appearance while embodying elegance and sophistication through its new geometric aesthetics.

The user experience is elevated through an improved Always-On Display (AOD) system that enhances visual aesthetics, along with a diverse selection of stylish, fully customizable watch faces for personalization. With the option to pick from 12 new designs and access over 25,000 exquisite official and third-party watch faces on the HUAWEI Watch Face Store, this timepiece transforms into a canvas for expressing individual fashion forward persona and opens the door to endless customization possibilities.

Fashion Statement: Iconic Colorways Designed to Turn Heads

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 in 46mm comes in four distinct colorways – Grey with Stainless Steel Strap, Green Woven Strap, Brown Leather Strap, and Black Fluoroelastomer Strap. While the HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 in 41mm comes in three distinct colorways – Silver with Two-tone Piano Key Bracelet, White Leather Strap, and Black Fluoroelastomer Strap. Each edition serves as an ode to our design philosophy, offering an elegant blend of style, comfort, and innovation.

Join these Icons in Embracing the Huawei Smartwatch Revolution

In an extraordinary blend of sports and fashion, Pamela Reif, global leading fitness and lifestyle influencer, as well as Sir Mo Farah, running legend, multiple gold medallist, have been named as HUAWEI Wearable Product Ambassadors.

In an era where technology has become an integral part of daily life, the watch on one’s wrist is not just a tool, but an extension of their personality. Returning to the limelight, Jericho is now set to break boundaries for men’s fashion style while pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Ready to explore his own healthy living rules in a fast-paced working environment with the new HUAWEI WATCH GT 4.

For more information on HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 series promotions, latest updates and availability, please visit this link: HUAWEI WATCH GT 4

Discover the latest from Huawei by checking out the Official Facebook Page.

Want to stay updated on all things Huawei? Join and follow the Official Facebook Community and be part of all the latest conversations on Huawei.

 

***Disclaimer: This product is not a medical device. All of the health data is for reference only, and should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

This product meets the requirements of the EN 13319 standard for diving accessories, and supports free diving with a maximum depth of 100 m. It should not be worn in hot showers, hot springs, or saunas (steam rooms), or during platform dives, high-pressure rinsing, or other activities that involve high water pressure, high temperatures, high levels of humidity, or fast-flowing water. Rinse slowly with freshwater, soak and dry after wearing the watch in ocean water. Metal straps are not designed to withstand swims or sweat. Therefore, it is recommended that you wear other types of straps, in such scenarios. Please visit the Huawei official website for more information on water resistance. Water resistance is not permanent, and protection may decrease with daily wear and tear.

 

 

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About HUAWEI Consumer BG

HUAWEI's products and services are available in more than 170 countries and are used by a third of the world's population. Fifteen R&D centres have been set up in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India and China. HUAWEI Consumer BG is one of HUAWEI's three business units and covers smartphones, PC and tablets, wearables and cloud services, etc. HUAWEI's global network is built on over 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world.

For more information please visit: http://consumer.huawei.com.

 

New report shows Airbnb contribution to the Philippines economy and jobs since post pandemic travel reshuffle

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●     Airbnb activities contributed USD$840 million (45.7 million pesos) to Gross Domestic Product and supported almost 103,800 jobs in the Philippines in 2022* alone. 

●     In 2022*, one in every 77 jobs in the tourism industry in the Philippines was associated with Airbnb.

●     Report also explores dispersal of tourism away from urban areas, and long-term stays driven by the emergence of flexible work arrangements since the pandemic.

 

New research from Oxford Economics found Airbnb is an important pillar of the Philippines’s tourism industry, with its activities contributing USD$840 million (45.7 million pesos) to Gross Domestic Product and supporting almost 103,800 jobs in the Philippines in 2022* alone.

The report, commissioned by Airbnb, found the platform played a crucial role in the Philippines tourism industry’s contribution to GDP and employment.

The report also highlighted the powerful multiplier effect Airbnb guest spending has within local communities. In 2022*, Airbnb guests spent a total of USD$876 million (47.7 million pesos) in the Philippines in areas like purchases in restaurants, retail stores, and on transportation.

It details the contribution made by Airbnb guests to domestic tourism across the nation. In 2022*, domestic Airbnb guest spending totalled USD$445 million (24.2 million pesos).

The report also explores two profound changes in travel behaviour since the pandemic: the dispersal of tourism away from urban areas, and long-term stays driven by the emergence of flexible work arrangements.

James Lambert, Director for Economic Consulting in Asia for Oxford Economics said, Airbnb has clearly played a major role in the resilience and rebirth of the Philippines travel and tourism sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Airbnb has been at the heart of some of the trends reshaping the nation’s travel and tourism industry, including the shift in travel away from cities and towards more rural communities, and the increase in demand for long-stay trips, exemplified by the live and work anywhere phenomenon, Lambert said.

Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan said, “The economic contribution to both GDP and jobs driven by travel on Airbnb in the Philippines has created powerful economic ripple effects that have enabled the growth of local businesses, such as shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes — which are often central to how travellers experience a destination — and created job opportunities for the locals.”

“The growth of the long-term stays segment since 2020 — enabled by flexible work policies and supported by Airbnb’s Live and Work Anywhere program — is helping destinations attract guests who stay longer and spend more per trip.

“Travel is now more dispersed, and so the economic benefits are being shared across more destinations, enabling a valuable economic contribution to rural and regional areas. This dispersal is being driven by Hosts on Airbnb and in turn creating economic opportunities for various communities.

“As destinations across the Philippines continue to recover, we are committed to partnering with governments and communities to rebuild their tourism economies in a way that is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable.”

*This report presents results for the twelve month period up to and including March 2023, referred to as 2022*, which represents the first full year after the reopening of international travel. Prevailing exchange rates at the time of study were applied, using proprietary data from Oxford Economics.

UNIQLO Launches Final “Doraemon Sustainability Mode” Products for JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING Campaign

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Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announces the launch of the 2023 Fall/Winter collection for JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING, a campaign supporting UNESCO activities to reduce marine debris. The new items, the final in the series featuring popular cartoon character Doraemon, will be available at UNIQLO stores throughout Japan and the uniqlo.com online store from Friday, October 6.

Plush toy and fleece items available from October 6, supporting UNESCO initiatives for clean oceans

JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING is a customer-participation project that connects the “power of clothing” with actions for a more sustainable world. Items for the 2023 Fall/Winter collection are the Doraemon Sustainability Mode Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket, and the Doraemon Sustainability Mode Toy, both made of 100% recycled polyester fabric. The Full-Zip Jacket features a small Doraemon Sustainability Mode motif on the chest, and the Toy is UNIQLO’s first plush toy made from fluffy yarn fleece material. This will be the final Doraemon Sustainability Mode collection.

For every purchase of products eligible for the campaign, which include Doraemon Sustainability Mode items and other fleece items made from recycled polyester, Fast Retailing will donate US$1 to UNESCO to support its international initiative to reduce ocean garbage, which includes educational programs to raise awareness of marine debris issues.*

* The maximum donation amount is US$1.5 million (approx. ¥200 million). Donations will be made by UNIQLO parent company Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

Doraemon Sustainability Mode Products

Launch Date: October 6, 2023 (Friday)

Items: Doraemon Sustainability Mode Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket 1 Design Php 1,490

Doraemon Sustainability Mode KIDS Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket 1 Design Php 990

Doraemon Sustainability Mode Toy 1 Design Php 990

Website: https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/en/contents/sustainability/jointpoc/

See the special website for other JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING products eligible for donations.

Doraemon Sustainability Mode

Toy

Doraemon Sustainability Mode

KIDS Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket

Doraemon Sustainability Mode

Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket

ⒸFujiko-Pro

Special website to learn about ocean garbage

The JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING special website contains content to learn about ocean garbage. Continuing from the previous season, the site features interviews with experts, videos about marine debris issues, and advice for reducing plastic waste in our everyday lives. The site also includes reports on how donations made through the JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING project since 2022 (approximately US$ 3 million) have so far been utilized.

About Doraemon Sustainability Mode

Beloved for more than 50 years, the cat-type robot Doraemon is a worldwide popular manga and anime character from the 22nd century. Always kind and ready to help, Doraemon pulls all sorts of secret gadgets out of his fourth-dimensional pocket to solve problems throughout his many adventures. In Sustainability Mode, Doraemon joined UNIQLO as a global sustainability ambassador, to show us how sustainable steps can be our secret gadgets to help transform the world into a better place for all.

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication, and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. UNESCO's programs contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

https://www.unesco.org/en