Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Conti's New Family Resto in Tagaytay

Heavenly Cakes, Exclusive Menus, Breath-taking Views at This Delightful New Family Resto in Tagaytay


Diners looking to indulge in something new and exciting--and yet, still basking in the familiar, familial comforts we've loved for 25 years--can get the best of both worlds at the new Conti's Bakeshop and Restaurant in Tagaytay.   The former takeout nook recently expanded and is now a full-service restaurant located at Lake Hotel. 

Conti's Tagaytay now serves the restaurant's full menu plus several new gourmet dishes, breakfast combos, and flavorful drinks exclusively offered only at that venue. 

Here are five reasons why you, your family, and your friends should relax, enjoy, and indulge yourselves at Conti's Tagaytay, a place where you can create a lifetime of special memories:


1.  New, Exclusive Gourmet Dishes

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant Smoked Salmon Sourdough 


Smoked Salmon Sourdough is smoked salmon with dill and cream cheese on top of toasted sourdough bread. Served with salad on the side. 

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant Quezo Chorizo Fundido


Then there’s Queso Chorizo Fundido, which is sautéed chorizo baked in marinara sauce with sharp cheddar cheese and mozzarella.  This is served with a sunny-side-up egg on top and matched with toasted sourdough bread sticks. 

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant Croque Madame


For those who love sandwiches, there's Croque Madame, forest ham, and creamy hollandaise in-between brioche bread. Also served with a sunny-side-up egg and tasty salad. 

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant Homemade Ham Criossant


Another sandwich option is the Homemade Ham Croissant. It's a buttery, flaky croissant filled with Conti’s homemade ham roll, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella. It comes with fresh salad on the side. 

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant Fresh Corned Beef and Potato Hash with Garlic Rice

If the trip to Tagaytay have you famished, the heartier option is the Fresh Corned Beef and Potato Hash.  Dig into homemade savory corned beef on potato hash and top with garlic confit and garlic aioli dressing.  Truly a delicious meal.  It's served with two eggs done your way. Garlic rice is an optional add-on. 


2.   Extra Yummy Breakfasts to Start Your Day


It's always better to start your day with a happy, hopeful mindset--and the delicious breakfast treats at Conti's Tagaytay puts you at ease while opening up your heart and mind to positivity and possibility.  They have the best breakfast choices you can enjoy as you plan and look forward to the day ahead. 

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant Breakfast Medley

It includes the new Breakfast Medley, a mini-menu consisting of three different dishes, each with a mouth-watering combination of two classic favorites: Perfect Filipino Plate serves up smoked boneless bangus and pork tocino; Really Meaty Plate pairs homemade beef tapa strips with bacon bagnet; and, Chef’s Special Plate has mom’s garlic longganisa and bacon bagnet. Each dish comes with sunny-side-up eggs.


3.  Coffees To Suit Your Mood, Rock Your World

Conti’s Bakeshop and Restaurant Americano, Cafe Latte, Cafe Mocha, and Sea Salt Caramel Coffee Options

Indeed, coffee is the drink that sets the tone for the rest of our day, boosting our mood to perform at our best.  Conti's Tagaytay offers diners a wider array of coffee flavors from the new coffee line selections--and these beverage items are also available exclusively in the Tagaytay branch. 


4.   Looks Great, Tastes Even Better! 

Conti's Tagaytay makes sure that its foods are feasts for our eyes as well as our palates.   These gourmet treats, especially the exclusive menu items, are all arranged and plated so that the customer achieves a peak dining experience through the colors, shapes, textures, and visual aesthetics on their plates. Conti's Tagaytay provides homey indoor dining amidst pastel shades of green, blue, and cream on its walls, plus beige furnishings and interiors of soft leather and warm wood, that regular Conti's diners have come to expect with familiar fondness. 


5.   Most IG-Worthy, Shareable View of All

The beauty, mystery, and majesty of the Taal Lake and Volcano are best enjoyed from a select number of coveted vantage points in Tagaytay.  More often than not, these ideal vantage points and viewing decks are available only by paying one's way as a hotel, resort, or AirBnb guest. 

But consider this:  all Conti's Tagaytay customers and diners have access to the Lake Hotel viewing deck, which opens to one of the best views of Taal Lake and Volcano.  Imagine having that one-of-a-kind, internationally acclaimed natural wonders of the world in full view, while you are enjoying your breakfast and then while having your cake and coffee (or another refreshing beverage).   And this viewing deck is provided free of charge to all Conti's Tagaytay customers. 

The Conti's Tagaytay view deck dining area provides a cool and refreshing al fresco experience.  Set against the backdrop of the picturesque world-famous Taal Lake and volcano, diners will have lots of spots to take IG-worthy photos.  

The new and exclusive dishes and drinks are the perfect match for your highland getaway.  Large groups have the option of family-sharing sizes for some of Conti’s best-selling classics. 

To know more about Conti's Bakeshop & Restaurant visit www.contis.ph or check out their Facebook (@contispastryshopandrestaurant), Instagram (@contis_ph), and TikTok (@contisph) pages. Other pages bearing the name and images are fake. They do not in any way represent the brand. 


Friday, April 21, 2023

BDO Insure: Pet Dog and Cat Insurance for as low as P560/year



Deciding to have a fur baby means you are ready to make it a part of your family, they are not just pets. We play with them, we love them and we should take care of them. But like in our case (people), no matter how much we protect them (our fur babies), there are unforeseen events that can happen.

One of the notable traits of Filipinos is their solid display of love and care for their pet dogs and cats. They regularly spend time and resource to keep them groomed, healthy, and jolly. To help fur parents protect their beloved fur babies, BDO Insure, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BDO Unibank, offers affordable and customizable pet dog and cat insurance plans.

"We understand that pets are important members of the family, and we want to help pet owners provide them with the best possible care, said Ma. Theresa L. Tan, General Manager of BDO Insure "With BDO Insure's Pet Dog and Cat Insurance, fur parents can register their fur babies online and customize the coverage to match their pets' and own lifestyle."

For as low as P560, pet owners can insure their pets against accidental injuries, including bone fractures, poisoning, or burns. Clients can choose their desired plan based on their budget. Insurance coverage ranges from P15,000 to P30,000 per accident (up to five incidents) under Plans A to D.

In addition to the basic coverage, the Pet Dog and Cat Insurance offers add-on benefits such as pet medical reimbursement for covered illnesses, like arthritis, renal disease, hip dysplasia, pet acute dental conditions, pet accidental death or essential euthanasia, insured pet owner's liability to other persons due to pet's actions, pet international travel emergency medical treatment, and Petnap. 

Pet dogs and cats aged 3 months to 6 years of age are qualified. They must be owned for companionship, not for commercial use (ex: racing, breeding, and law enforcement). To apply, pet owners must provide their pet's immunization/vaccination record book/pet book, vet clinic, vet's name and license number, and photos.

"We share a bond with our dogs and cats like no other as they bring us love and joy into our lives. With pet insurance, we can show our love to our beloved pets by giving them the protection they need," added Tan.

BDO Insure is committed to providing affordable and customizable Pet Dog and Cat Insurance options that fit the pet's and pet owner's lifestyle. For more information on BDO Pet Dog and Cat Insurance, visit their website at www.bdo.com.ph/bdoinsure/pet.

BDO Insure is a registered trademark of BDO Insurance Brokers, Inc., an insurance broker licensed and supervised by the Insurance Commission of the Philippines. Clients can email at bdo: insure@bdo.com.ph or call at +63 (2) 8838-2364 or 1800-10-8382364 (Domestic Toll-free; available Mondays to Fridays, except holidays from 8AM-6PM). They can visit BDO branches where representatives are based.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Global Recession 2023: The Importance of a Plan B in securing family's financial future



Things are not always going to go our way and there are going to be curveballs that we must avoid in life.  

If we’ve learned anything from the last 3 years, it’s that the world is much more uncertain than we could ever have imagined.

At the start of 2023, many economic experts warned about the world slipping into a global recession. In light of this development, what steps should ordinary consumers, especially family breadwinners, take to assure financial security in the face of economic uncertainty?

Yesterday,  I attended an online seminar entitled "Life Insurance: Plan B against Economic Uncertainty" hosted by financial guru Chinkee Tan, BDO Unibank SVP, and chief investment officer Frederico Rafael “Fritz” D. Ocampo. During the seminar, Fritz D.  Ocampo said “Taming inflation usually requires slowing down economic growth by raising interest rates. It’s a tricky balancing act that central banks and policymakers need to tread carefully to avoid falling into recession. As everyone has seen time and time again, a recession is bad for businesses. At worst, this will mean curtailed expansion, possibly downsizing, layoffs, and even closures. When this happens, many families are impacted, the usual causes of which are beyond their control.”

 Frederico Rafael “Fritz” D. Ocampo
BDO Unibank SVP, and chief investment officer

Ocampo said individuals will need to re-assess their investments, especially around the riskier types (e.g. equities) to ensure they match with one’s investment horizon and risk profile.

“One instrument that many often dismiss as unnecessary, but remains essential to enhance one’s family’s financial security and survival, especially during challenging economic times is life insurance. The more difficult the economic environment, the more an individual needs financial protection in place, one that ensures the family’s financial dignity in the event of the breadwinner’s premature death,” he explained.

Renato Vergel de Dios
 President and CEO of BDO Life

For his part, insurance expert Renato Vergel de Dios, President and CEO of BDO Life, said: “During recessionary periods, people’s financial plans and goals (or ‘Plan A’ for short) are under a more severe threat. By Plan A, we refer to his program of savings and investment, which is funded by income savings from one’s salaried job, professional practice, or business.  

“For a responsible head of a family, having a Plan A in place is indispensable. Completing a Plan A is the means to enjoy the lifestyle one currently seeks as well as the desired lifestyle during those less active retirement years when one must rely largely on passive income to support personal and family requirements.

“The cornerstone of every family provider’s Plan A is life insurance protection. We refer to this as Plan B, which springs into action when the family provider dies prematurely. By injecting cash into the family’s account, Plan B narrows the gap left behind by an aborted Plan A. Without a Plan B, one can only imagine how much harder life will be for a family that just lost their financial provider, especially in times of high inflation.”

Spending for life insurance protection is a smart decision, even during periods of economic uncertainty. It addresses the uncertainty of death and its threat to the remaining family’s quality of life. Losing the family’s main income earner is challenging enough in normal times, what more if it happens during an economically uncertain environment.  

“From one’s life insurance proceeds, a family can fund their everyday needs, keep the children in school, pay for monthly utility bills, and in some cases, even provide a modest capital for a small business. As the saying goes, there are only two sure things in life: death and taxes. No matter what state the economy is in, whether in a robust upswing or entering into a creeping recession, failing health and premature death represents lingering risks to our family's financial security,” Vergel De Dios said. 

Even as the world braces itself for a likely economic recession in 2023, there is never a better time than today to ensure that we have a financial Plan B in place.

For more information on how BDO Life can help you start your Plan B, visit a BDO branch near you or https://www.bdo.com.ph/bdo-life.

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Top factors to consider for ensuring furniture safety in your household


Safe seating, safe home. 

When it comes to ensuring safety in the household, many homeowners focus on aspects such as fire safety, electrical safety, and emergency preparedness. While these are undoubtedly important considerations, another area that is often overlooked is the role of furniture in keeping everyone in the house safe and sound – away from potential harm and accidents. 

Have you ever considered that household furniture such as TV, chest of drawers or even a piece of chair can be a dangerous piece of furniture – especially to your children? 

In line with its thrust to provide the best quality products and meet the desire of the consumers for durable and value for money household items, Uratex Monoblock launched its “Bawal Ang Marupok” campaign to educate and equip every homeowner to be keen and discerning towards investing in furniture - particularly in plastic chairs which are considered one of the essential and popular household items found in most Filipino homes and establishments. 

Looking for Monobloc Chairs? Here's What You Need to Know to Make the Right Choice


Monobloc chairs are a common sight in homes, buildings and various indoor and outdoor spaces. They are practically affordable, easy to use, and can be easily moved around, making them a smart choice for seating solutions. However, not all monobloc chairs are created equal. While they are generally durable and long-lasting, there are some common problems that can arise with them over time. To ensure safety, Uratex Monoblock shares the top 3 important factors that homeowners and entrepreneurs should consider before purchasing a monobloc chair:

Durability

Monobloc chairs are designed to be lightweight, stackable and easy to move. As you use them overtime, they can become vulnerable to wear and tear, cracking, or breaking which can be considered a safety hazard.

There are a wide variety of plastic chairs available but looking at the quality of the material and how they are being made are important to ensure that they are really long-lasting and can withstand the test of time. Chairs made from cheap, low-quality plastic may be more prone to breaking so it is ideal to ensure if the monobloc chairs have gone through the proper testing and inspection before they were released to the market. It is also best to go for well-known and established brands that have a reputation for producing high-quality products.

Seatload Capacity

Monobloc chairs come with weight limits that vary depending on their design and construction. Chairs with higher weight limits are generally more durable and sturdy. Additionally, it demonstrates its quality by being able to carry a substantial amount of weight or impact without breaking, which is crucial for chairs that will be subjected to everyday use. 

Be sure to check the weight capacity of the chair you are considering through its seatload warning label to ensure its stability – preventing you from tipping off and encountering serious injuries, particularly for your kids.

Certification

Industry certifications ensure that products meet certain quality standards and have been tested and approved by credible independent third-party organizations. With this, customers may be guaranteed that the monobloc chairs are good quality and safe to use without any risks.

For homeowners, it provides assurance that their loved ones are safe using a certified, high-quality chair. For entrepreneurs, this allows them to meet regulatory bodies safety standards by providing their customers and employees with durable and safe day-to-day monoblock chairs. 

Now, as regular consumers, how are you going to know the durability, capacity, and certification of a monobloc chair? All you have to do is check the warning sticker of a monobloc chair!

The Uratex Monoblock chair has the highest seat load capacity on the market at 200kg. To prove this as well as its durability, each chair has undergone a series of tests before it was released to the public as part of the rules and regulations established by the Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS).

Among the tests executed are the Chair Fatigue, Breaking Point, and the Chair Drop – which are all designed to assess the durability and safety of each Uratex Monoblock chair.

With this, Uratex Monoblock is the first brand in the Philippines to pass the country's highest plastic furniture standard, Level 5 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - ISO 7173




It is essential to take precautions when selecting household or commercial furniture since making the wrong choice might result in accidents and injuries. Furthermore, the lifespan of a product is determined by its quality, which means that a less-priced option may really be more expensive due to several replacements. To guarantee overall safety, always look for a chair’s durability, capacity, and certification.

To learn more about Uratex Monoblock and its products, visit uratex.com.ph/collections/monoblocks. You may also follow/uratexmonoblockchairs on Facebook, and @uratexmonoblock on Instagram for updates and upcoming promos.

About Uratex Monoblock

Established in 1993, Uratex Monoblock is a brand of high-quality, stylish and durable –  made from strong solid plastic – plastic furniture that is widely used in homes, offices, restaurants, and other establishments and institutions. For three decades, Uratex Monoblock has assured its customers of the durability and quality of its products through accreditations and recognitions by the national government and other local and international organizations.

Monday, April 17, 2023

Make your own Sulit-Sarap combination for only P75 with Jollibee’s Mix & Match Combos


With the ongoing rise in food prices and inflation, more people are tightening their belts and prioritizing the basic needs, while keeping an eye out for value-for-money offers that fit their budget.

Some may think that they need to settle for what they pay for, but Jollibee now offers a way for them to choose their own meal combination that is both sulit and masarap—through the Jollibee Mix & Match Combos! Make your own Sulit-Sarap combination for only PHP 75.00, a customizable combo line-up that lets you enjoy some of Jollibee’s best-tasting products.

“With Jollibee’s Mix & Match Combos, both good taste and good value come together,” said Pam Reyes, Assistant Vice President. “You can be flexible with the combination you want and get bang for your buck because it’s guaranteed to be delicious. Enjoy your Sulit-Sarap favorites, the way you want it!”

Make your own Sulit-Sarap combos with three easy steps:

1.        Choose 1 main: Jolly Spaghetti, 1-pc. Burger Steak, Yumburger, or Tuna Pie (Also available in Spicy Tuna Pie)

2.        Choose 1 side: Jolly Crispy Fries Regular, Peach Mango Pie, Choco Sundae, Coke Float, or Pineapple Juice Regular

3.            Pay PHP 75.00 for any combination.

Drop by your nearest Jollibee branch and start enjoying your favorite Sulit-Sarap combination via dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru only.

For more information and updates on Jollibee’s products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. 

About Jollibee

Jollibee is the largest fast-food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a network of more than 1,400 stores. A dominant market leader in the Philippines, Jollibee enjoys the lion’s share of the local market that is more than all the other multinational fast-food brands in PH combined. With a strict adherence to the highest standards of food quality, service, and cleanliness, Jollibee serves great-tasting, high-quality, and affordable food products including its superior-tasting Chickenjoy, mouth-watering Yumburger, and deliciously satisfying Jolly Spaghetti among other delicious products. 

Jollibee has embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan, with more than 270 international branches in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, Brunei, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Italy, and in the United Kingdom.


Sunday, April 16, 2023

Kultura Summer Selebrasyon Collection


 

Travel in comfort and style this summer with a Tropical Print polo (P599.00), Navy Blue Drawstring Pants,  All Weather – All Terrain Flip Flops (P799.00) and a three-piece leather bracelet set from Kultura

In our tropical shores, it’s summer all year round! But the months from March to May are really when nature likes to show off. Round up your friends, head out of town, and relish the rejuvenating powers of the sun and sky and sea. But first, head over to Kultura for everything you need to celebrate the getaway season in style.  

 

Elevated summer style from Kultura: For him, white linen guayabera (P1799), Fedora Hat (P249.75), semi-precious stone bracelets, and navy drawstring pants. For her, batik print top, raffia sling bag tied with a multi-way sarong, and a stack of semi precious stone bracelets.

SUMMER-WORTHY ‘FITS 

A leisurely trip deserves a wardrobe to match. Our Summer Selebrasyon collection is made of stylish resort wear in lightweight fabrics for blissful, sun-soaked days. With a mix of neutrals and vibrant tones, it’s the perfect palette for picture-worthy OOTDs against the most gorgeous backdrops across the Philippines. 

We traveled up north to the idyllic surf town of La Union to showcase our summer collection. For the ladies, we’ve got easy, breezy smocked dresses, chic co-ords, batik caftans, and cover-ups hand-embroidered by local artisans, for summer looks that are effortless yet elevated.  

For the gents, we’ve got guayabera tops, embroidered and ethnic-print polos, linen pants, and bright summer shorts that will take him from daytime adventures to midnight beach strolls seamlessly.  

 

All set for summer! Seated on the bench, Dani wears a multi-way sarong worn as bandeau (2 for P299), Itneg weave vest (P1999) and handmade seagrass crossbody bag with daisy and semi-precious stone choker. Carm opts for a  sleeveless dress with ethnic print (P699), turquoise and zebra print round earrings (P249), paper bead and crystal bracelet (P499), blue stone bracelet (P499.75) and multi-way sarong worn as a scarf (2 for P299).

To complete these looks, we’ve got a wide and wonderful selection of handwoven native bags, comfortable slides, hats, multi-way sarongs that come in sets of 2 fun colors, bamboo sunglasses, bright handmade accessories, and other tropical-inspired accents. The best thing about our Summer Selebrasyon collection? Everything is proudly Filipino-made, and versatile enough to wear throughout the rest of the year. 

GLAMPING ESSENTIALS 

Stay hydrated and on track throughout the day with these reusable, sustainable and eco-friendly bamboo and stainless steel cups, mugs and tumblers. All available at Kultura Green Finds section.

Make your getaways even more memorable by packing our summer lifestyle finds. From ocean-themed placemats and trays, eco-friendly mugs and bamboo tumblers, to banigs, hammocks and rattan hampers, these local picks bring a thoughtful, “aesthetic” touch to your road trips, beach picnics, and summer escapes. And they’re perfect to use back home, too, for year-round tropical vibes.  

It’s a Summer Selebrasyon with Kultura! From left to right, Carm is in a batik print top and blue multi-way sarong; Dani wears a printed tunic dress (P899), multi-way sarong worn as a belt (2 for P299) and fedora hat (P249.75), while Ruis sports an embroidered white polo (P699), beige drawstring shorts, and a freshwater pearl necklace.

From versatile resort wear to beach picnic essentials and handcrafted lifestyle accessories for your home away from home, Kultura has got you covered for a summer to remember.  

Images were taken at The Lark Inn and Casa Nakama, both located in La Union, Philippines. 

Get your summer essentials only at Kultura! Shop now at kulturafilipino.com or drop by the nearest Kultura store. You can also send us a message to order or inquire. Our personal shoppers will gladly assist you: 


Messenger: m.me/KulturaPH 

Call To Deliver: 09175174096 or 09676093407 

Viber: bit.ly/KulturaOnViber 

Thursday, April 13, 2023

BDO Unibank's Strategy For Greater Financial Inclusion Among Filipinos


Many of us Filipinos may not yet fully understand what financial literacy is.

Financial literacy is the knowledge about our financial life, or knowledge of proper handling of money, proper saving, proper spending, and how to grow money. The lack of knowledge of many Filipinos in these matters is a big reason why many Filipinos are poor and even more impoverished. Whereas people who know about financial literacy, such as the rich, get even richer. That's also something I often hear other people complain about... Why are the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer? Then it will be followed by blaming the government or anyone else to blame.

Blaming other people is not the solution to get you out of poverty. That said, no one can change your life but you, and only you. It doesn't mean that you will not need the help of other people. Let me repeat, you also need other people's help, not other people's blame. That means the way to get out of poverty starts with you. If you don't take action and continue to blame the government or other people for why you are still poor today, you will only continue to suffer.

Let's avoid passing on this mindset to our younger generations instead help and make them aware of the importance of money as early as possible. Especially hard earned money

The right thing to do is to start thinking, now, about how you can change your life. If you are poor right now, don't let yourself be like that forever. Because if you have a family, and you have children, will you allow them to suffer one day, especially when you are gone?

That's why I'm privileged to know and share with you one of BDO's innovations to educate everyone through technology, especially youngsters. Just like what the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, the BDO Foundation (BDOF) did. BDOF released five (5) financial education videos for students. These aim to catch students’ attention and enable them to learn about the value of money at the same time.

Let's admit that today's youth can better understand the things being taught and we want them to understand through video. Kudos to BDO Unibank for making videos on the platform that young people always go to – YouTube

1. “Walk Hard for the Money,” - which tells of an elementary school boy who chooses to walk to school instead of commuting despite being given an allowance. Along with other money-making efforts, these eventually pay off, allowing him to buy an electric scooter, which he later rides to school. https://youtu.be/DVVxWZlBWJ4

2.  “Bente Bente,” conveys the same message to young school children to the tune of “Tong Tong Pakitong-kitong.”. https://youtu.be/deT9uHiIsss 

3." Umutang ay Di Biro” inspired by the Filipino folk song Magtanim ay Di Biro, also uses music to tell older students to save their allowance, limit spending and pay debts on time. https://youtu.be/RantK4EGAK8 

4. “Ganda ni Girlie,” meanwhile, describes how a high school student’s resourcefulness and creativity help her earn income even in her youth. https://youtu.be/NvjjR3lbR8k 

5."Save to Have a Million: Junior Edition” discusses the right attitudes in handling money through a game show.

Our children must start the habit of saving while they’re young, This is BDO's strategy for greater financial inclusion among Filipinos in the long run. 

Teach them young. Teach them right. 💛


Tuesday, April 11, 2023

DOH launches multi-sectoral initiative to eradicate tuberculosis

OIC Secretary of Health – Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire and Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. present the PAAP-TB document

The Department of Health (DOH) has launched the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB), a multisectoral initiative to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in the country by 2035. The DOH together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), through the PAAP-TB aims to provide wider access to health services, and improved education and public information, social protection, and labor protection to eradicate TB by 2030.

Tuberculosis is a chronic communicable disease that comes second only to COVID-19 as a leading cause of mortality from a single infectious organism. According to the Global TB Report 2022, the disease accounted for 1.6 million deaths in 2021. In a preliminary report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) this year, TB continues to rank 11th among the causes of death in the Filipino population.

OIC Secretary of Health – Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire delivers opening remarks on the importance of TB eradication and building a healthy population

TB elimination entails improving access to TB services, and addressing the social, economic, and physical determinants that significantly affect its occurrence, transmission, and even treatment. “In addressing these social determinants of health, we enjoin all our sectoral stakeholders for synergistic solutions to overcrowding, low education, malnutrition, and ultimately poverty. Our collective interventions will make TB services equitable, especially for the poor,” said Officer-in-Charge Secretary Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.

The PAAP-TB aims to address the nation's TB epidemic by re-examining current programs and initiatives of National Coordinating Committee for Tuberculosis (TB-NCC) member organizations. Together, these collaborating sectors will provide an action plan and involve the private sector and organizations to achieve the program's goals over two medium terms.

PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Emmanuel R. Ledesma Jr. delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines 

TESDA QSO Director El Cid Castillo delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines 

FDA Director IV Jesusa Joyce N. Cirunay delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines 

Also present at the event were representatives from various sectors committed to eradicating TB in the Philippines, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Beverly Ho, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., DSWD Assistant Secretary Janet Armas, DOLE Executive Director for the Occupational Safety and Health Center Ma. Teresita Cucueco, and FDA Director IV Jesusa Joyce Cirunay.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Janet Armas during the press conference at the Philippine Acceleration Action Plan for Tuberculosis (PAAP-TB) initiative

“By engaging multiple disciplines, organizations, sectors, and partners can combine strengths and leverage resources, expertise, and knowledge, while addressing the social, environmental, economic, and political systemic drivers that influence behaviors and prevent the effective delivery of health policies and interventions,” said Officer-In-Charge Singh-Vergeire.

USAID Philippines Deputy Mission Director Rebekah Eubanks delivers pledge of support for the elimination of TB in the Philippines 

The PAAP-TB document has been developed with technical support from the USAID’s TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening Project implemented by FHI 360.


WOW the World with WOW Fiesta!


 


Tuloy-tuloy ang “Fiesta Feels” anywhere in the world ngayong 2023! 

 

Now that our country is bouncing back from the pandemic, Filipinos have every reason to celebrate life’s abundant blessings. 

And they do so wonderfully by singing their hearts out every chance they get! May saya ng fiesta sa bawat kanta! 

 

WOW! Fiesta, the first name in world-class videoke entertainment, wants to join in on the fun while tapping the city’s singing talents. After all, this is the city that produced singing superstars KZ Tandingan, Juris Fernandez, Jay Durias and Joey Ayala have a wealth of beautiful voices. 

 

WOW! Fiesta empowers the modern Filipino household with superior home entertainment. It not only offers great value for money, it also has versatile products that can be used for every occasion. WOW Fiesta is distributed by Audio-Video Solutions Corporation, offers a premium line of portable videoke systems and professional audio products. They continue to revolutionize their product offerings to provide Filipino families with topnotch home entertainment, office and small events experience. 


 

For some exciting news for singing enthusiasts across the country, the company is introducing the new WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital. With this amazing product priced at Php 26,999, you can sing all you want with thousands of built-in songs and two digital wireless microphones for a fun karaoke party, anytime! 

 

“As we continue to innovate, we want our Filipino customers and even our prospective customers to experience the fun and enjoyment in singing with a world-class videoke with their friends and families. With our newest WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital, bringing or singing videoke anywhere in the world is now possible because of its global frequency compatibility. Pinoys can gift their relatives abroad and even migrants can now sing with WOW! Fiesta videoke.”; as shared by Jinefer Cortez, AVSC’s Marketing Manager. 


 

The WOW! Fiesta Advantage 

 

The WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital is loaded with 10,000 built-in and licensed songs which are securely stored internally, unlike with other brands whose songs are stored in the USB or SD Cards. The WOW! Fiesta songs are especially handpicked for your enjoyment, including the latest international hits such as Butter, Levitating, My Universe, All I Ask, Say So, Deja Vu, Beautiful Mistakes, Dance Monkey, 34+35, Blinding Lights, Drivers License, Ice Cream, Lover, Good 4 U, I Like Me Better, Memories; and all-time OPM favorites like Pagsamo, Mapa, Lagi, Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay, Ikaw Lang, Sigurado, Di Ka Sayang and more! 



 

The two Professional Digital Wireless Microphones lets you enjoy the freedom of wireless singing. There’s less of a chance of hearing unwanted noises and interference when you are singing.  

 

Besides the high-quality sound for an all-out singing enjoyment, the WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital  has visually stunning video backgrounds all in glorious Full HD 1080p resolution. You can choose from international sites, Philippine sceneries, animations and even customized your videos. 

 

WOW! Fiesta is portable and car-friendly, so you can bring the fun anywhere! Because of its compact size, you can easily place it inside the glovebox of your car. It has an infrared jack input for easy access to your videoke even if it is hidden inside your compartment. It also comes with a carrying bag for transport convenience. 


 

The WOW! Fiesta’s Multimedia Player Function lets you play your favorites movies, music and pictures from your USB or hard drive. After singing, you can enjoy watching your favorite movies and listen to their favorite songs using the same unit (WOW! Fiesta). It can play MP3 and supports almost all common formats of videos like MP4, MP3, AVI, MKV, MPG, and FLV formats. This is a great idea for family bonding! 

 

Song updates are also easy and affordable. You can expand your song library with more songs! Get the latest hits with an affordable WOW! Fiesta Song Update for only P249. No more physical Song Packs! 

 

Now that WOW! Fiesta Soprano 10 Digital videoke is suitable for worldwide use, it enables every “Juan” and “Maria” to enjoy a WOW experience in videoke entertainment for that Everywhere Fiesta Feels! 

 

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Meet 3 of the recipients of the BingoPlus FutureSmart Scholarship Program


(From right) AB Leisure Exponent, Inc. President and BingoPlus Foundation Trustee Jasper Vicencio; scholars Juan Luis A. Guirao, Angelica Q. Cua, and Paulo Joaquin C. Dorotheo; BingoPlus Vice President for Brand Marketing and BingoPlus Foundation Representative Felbin Peter Soto, and Head for Corporate Affairs at DigiPlus Interactive Corp. and BingoPlus Foundation Representative Christine Gabrieles.

LOOK: Meet the recipients of the BingoPlus Foundation FutureSmart Scholarship Program. The first batch of scholars at iAcademy, recently met their sponsors at the BingoPlus Foundation headquarters in Ortigas. The foundation’s thrust is to be a driving force of change through technology and sees a vital partnership with iAcademy for education. iAcademy is one of the most innovative and sought-after technology, design, and business academic institutions in the country. Ten deserving applicants will receive scholarships worth a total of P6 million.