PHILIPPINES RECEIVES DESTINATION OF THE YEAR AWARD AT ASIA-PACIFIC’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS TRAVEL INDUSTRY EVENT

Philippines Receives Destination of the Year Award at Asia-Pacific’s Most Prestigious Travel Industry Event- The Philippines won the prestigious Destination of the Year Award during the 31st TTG Travel Awards 2022 Ceremony and Gala Dinner held at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand on 22 September 2022. Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz Paredes received the award on behalf of the Philippines.

In her acceptance speech, Ambassador Paredes invited the audience to experience firsthand why the Philippines is the TTG Destination of the Year, and to see, touch and taste for themselves the offerings of over 7,600 islands of the Philippines, with its vibrant culture and the warm hospitality of the Filipino people.

Ambassador Paredes honored the hard work of all the stakeholders of the Philippine travel industry, with the award validating their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts to strengthen the Philippine tourism industry. She also praised their resolve to soldier on toward a Philippine tourism industry that is stronger, better and more worthy of the recognition.

The Destination of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding destination for taking proactive steps and initiatives for the development and promotion of the travel industry. This is the second time the Philippines has received the award, having previously won in 2014.

TTG Travel Awards, organized annually since 1989 by TTG Asia, aims to recognize the best in the travel industry across the Asia-Pacific region. This year’s ceremony, held in person after a two-year hiatus, honored winners in three categories: Travel Supplier Award, Travel Agency Awards, and Outstanding Achievement Awards.

At the awards ceremony, Ambassador Paredes was joined by the Philippine tourism delegation composed of representatives from the Tourism Promotions Board and 16 MICE Exhibitors. END

For more information, visit https://www.bangkokpe.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinThailand/.

PH ready to take lead in Asean peacekeeping

 

By Xinhua News Agency

October 7, 2022

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines is ready to take the role of peacekeeper in Southeast Asia, emphasizing it is good for the country's interest and regional security.

During a media forum, Marcos said the Philippines has a vital role in keeping peace, particularly amid geopolitical tensions in the region. "So we have a very important part to play in that because we have a great interest," he added.

Marcos also stressed the need to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to make it more responsive to future challenges and enable the regional bloc to do more than it has accomplished, suggesting he will raise the issue at Asean meetings in November.

He said that Asean should try and push its member countries to present a united front and move it forward in order to make sure the group "has a function to do in the normal scheme of the geopolitics." Asean groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Gretchen Fullido, Vivoree, Elmo, and more PIE jocks lead new talk and music shows on PIE CHANNEL

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Meaningful conversations and fun singing sessions take center stage as PIE (Pinoy Interactive and Entertainment) Channel introduces to viewers new segments of its BRGY. PIESILOG, PIEBORITO, AND PIE NIGHT LONG program blocks.

BRGY PIESILOG (Monday to Sunday, 10 am – 12 nn)

Every morning, viewers can bond with the ‘brunchkada’ of Gretchen Fullido, Abby Trinidad, Frances Cabatuando, Mayor TV, Tristan Ramirez (Monday to Saturday) Madam Inutz, Migs Bustos, at Nicole Cordovez (Sunday) in BRGY PIESILOG (10 am – 12 nn) that aims to give public service by sharing relevant and practical information.

From Monday to Saturday, viewers can watch “Eto Na Nga,” which features important public service announcements from government agencies, NGOs, and advocacy groups. Practical life hacks are also featured in “Life Guro,” while viewers who are facing dilemmas can seek advice from a life coach in “Sumpungan HQ.”

On Sundays, BRGY. PIESILOG puts the spotlight on different kinds of micro, small, and medium enterprises in “Pasok Mga Suki” and offers free on-air consultations with guest physicians on top of discussing different health concerns in “Dr. Care.”

According to Gretchen, viewers can expect a lot from their public service segments in BRGY. PIESILOG. “Makaka-expect kayo ng practical life tips, life hacks, gustong-gusto ko ‘yung ‘Life Guro’ kasi meron tayong life coach.”

Migs also shared that his hosting style in PIE is more relaxed. “Siguro mas casual compared sa news style. Talagang mas friendly, mas engaging to the audience. It encouraged us to loosen up more, to be able to really connect with the audience.”

PIEBORITO (Monday to Sunday, 12 nn – 4 pm)

During noontime, Janine Berdin and Raco Ruiz will join viewers in PIEBORITO to introduce the hottest music videos in “Playlist Natin!.” Viewers can also catch the behind-the-scenes funny bonding moments of the PIE jocks in “PIE Extra Slice” or revisit the ‘kilig’ in the reruns of “On The Wings of Love” and “Iba: Long Cut.”

Raco shared that he had a lot of questions when he first started out as a PIE jock. “Actually when I started hosting on PIE sinabi ko kay Direk na ‘Direk, tama ba ko para dito?’ I was always tripping over my words. Sabi niya, ‘Character mo yun. Make it your own. Be yourself. That’s gonna be your branding.”

PIE NIGHT LONG (Monday to Sunday, 8 pm – 11 pm)

By night time, Aaron Maniego, Karen Bordador, Renee Dominique (Monday to Friday), Elmo Magalona, and Vivoree (Sunday) will accompany viewers in PIE NIGHT LONG.

In “How to B U?,” PIE NIGHT LONG jocks will get to live the life of different workers, while “Moment Mo” features people from different walks of life and their interesting stories.

Those seeking love and life advice can get help from Karen Bordador in “Tender Love & Karen,” while viewers who want to be in the loop of the latest controversial issues can watch “UZI.” By Sunday, PIE NIGHT LONG transforms into a virtual weekend musicfest with “PIE NIGHT LONG Sessions,” an evening music and talk show with performances from the jocks and various musical guests.

Meanwhile, Elmo is glad to be working with co-PIE jock Vivoree. “Masaya ako na I got to work with Vivoree kasi before nakasama ko siya in acting workshops. Since we both love music ni Vivoree, we work very easily dito sa PNL sessions,” he said.

Besides BRGY. PIE SILOG, PIEBORITO, AND PIE NIGHT LONG, PIE also offers viewers new shows and PIE jocks for more excitement. They are Anji Salvacion, Eris Aragoza, Ralph Malibunas, Sam Bernardo (Mon to Sat) for PIEGALINGAN, Gello Marquez, Jeremy G, Reign Parani, and Vivoree (Sun) for PAK! Palong Follow; Eian Rances, Negi, Sela Guia, Kevin Montillano, Nicki Morena, Ruth Paga, Nonong Ballinan (Mon to Sat) Inah Evans, Kid Yambao, Patsy Reyes, and Jackie Gonzaga (Sundays) for PIENALO PINOY GAMES; and finally, Melai Cantiveros, Jhong Hilario, Kaila Estrada, and former “PBB” housemates in “The Chosen One.”

PIE is the first multiscreen, real-time interactive TV channel in the country. Viewers in the Philippines can participate and win cash prizes every day.

Find the PIE Channel by scanning your digibox. Viewers can also watch PIE worldwide via its website pie.com.ph, YouTube (http://youtube.com/iampieofficial), Sky Cable Channel 21, and Cablelink Channel 100. Viewers can also watch PIE live on GLife of the GCash App. The PIE Channel is a project of ABS-CBN, Kroma Entertainment, BEAM, and 917 Ventures. Follow PIE (@iamPIEofficial) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok for updates.

First 100 Days: VP Duterte cites return of in-person classes as her biggest achievement

by Raymund Antonio, Manila Bulletin

Vice President and Education chief Sara Duterte considers the resumption of in-person classes in the present school year the biggest accomplishment of her office, citing the benefits of face-to-face classes to students.

Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)

She said this as her office prepares the report for her 100 days as vice president and Education secretary.

“Ang pinakamahalaga na masasabi ko na nagawa natin (The most important that I can say we did) as a country is naibalik natin iyong ating (we were able to bring back the) in-person classes sa ating mga eskwelahan (in our schools),” she said during an interview at an event where she and the Qatar Embassy in Manila distributed FIFA bags to daycare children in Mandaluyong City.

The Vice President cited studies that showed the “many benefits” of in-person classes to students.

“Kaya napakahalaga na naibalik natin ang (That’s why it’s very important that we were able to return the) option na iyon sa ating mga eskwelahan na mag-conduct ng (that our schools conduct) 5-days in person classes,” Duterte added.

Filipino students returned to school on Aug. 22 after more than two years of online classes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though it is not until November that the government mandates students to return to in-person classes, it was earlier said that schools and teachers should use September and October for the transition.

READ: DepEd chief VP Sara eyes full face-to-face classes by November—Marcos

The Vice President earlier underscored the benefits of face-to-face classes, noting also the measures—vaccines, face masks, and medicines—now available.

God always cares

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THAT gospel episode about 10 lepers who begged Christ to cure them teaches us the lesson that we should always go to God especially when we find ourselves in difficulties. It also reminds us that we should always be thankful to him because he always cares for us. (cfr. Lk 17,11-19) These two attitudes should be kind of instinctive to us.

We have to learn how to deal with the difficult and the impossible things in our life. Let’s remember that as long as we are here on earth, we have to contend with all sorts of difficulties, trials and temptations. 

And as if these are not enough, we also have to contend with the truth of our faith that tells us that we are meant to pursue a supernatural goal that definitely cannot be achieved simply with our own human powers alone, no matter how excellent they are.

The secret is always to go and to be with God through Christ in the Holy Spirit who can make the impossible possible. In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even our prayers and petitions appear unanswered, if not, contradicted.

This should be the attitude to have. It’s an attitude that can only indicate our unconditional faith and love for God who is always in control of things, and at the same time can also leave us in peace and joy even at the worst of the possibilities.

We just have to remember that Christ never abandons us and is, in fact, all ready and prompt to come to our aid, albeit in ways that we may not realize, at first, just like what happened in that story of the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. (cfr. Lk 24,13-25)

We should not allow our feelings of sadness to be so dominant and pervasive that we shut off Christ’s many and often mysterious ways of helping us. If we do not pose a deliberate impediment to Christ’s ways, there is always hope. In our darkest moments, some light will always come piercing and dispelling the darkness away.

At the same time, we should always keep in mind that we need to be thankful to God for whatever gift, blessing and favor he gives. We have to be wary of our tendency to take this duty for granted. As shown in that gospel about the 10 lepers who were cured, only one came to thank Christ who showed concern that the other nine did not bother to thank him. 

We need to do everything to cultivate this abiding mentality of thanksgiving. We have to deliberately do this task, given the desensitizing effect of the flurry of activities and other concerns our modern world is bombarding us with.

Gratitude forms an essential part of our relation with God. It is the adequate response we give upon seeing the continuous attention and care God gives us. It makes us stick to the reality of our life. It keeps us from inventing a world unhinged from its Creator and from others.

When we are thankful, we open our heart to the workings of grace and the innate goodness that comes with our nature, at least that part that is still unaffected by sin. In a way, gratitude is a main language of the heart. It’s a major expression of love.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com