Extended long weekend in 2023 to increase revenue in tourism – DOT chief

by Jun Marcos Tadios

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed Presidential Proclamation No. 90 which extended more long weekends in 2023.

(File photo courtesy of Department of Tourism)

Frasco said the DOT foresees the Presidential Proclamation as “an important stimulus to boost the country’s domestic travel figures,” as this will “allow travelers to stay longer in destinations and thus bring direct economic benefits to the local communities.” 

“We are very thankful to the President for making this move to adjust certain holidays, therefore allowing Filipinos to enjoy at least nine long weekends for the year 2023. This gives our kababayans more opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend longer quality time and trips with their families and loved ones,” Frasco said.

Under President Marcos’ vision for the tourism industry, Frasco noted that the DOT has identified the maximization of domestic tourism as one of its seven main objectives.

“The Presidential Proclamation corresponds to the Marcos administration’s thrust to maximize domestic tourism in the country, cognizant of its significant contribution to the recovery of the local economy and the overall growth of the country’s tourism industry,” Frasco uttered.

Based on Presidential Proclamation No. 90 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., there will be a total of nine long weekends in 2023.  

Starting on January 2, which falls on Monday, and November 2 (Thursday) have been added as special non-working holidays to be observed next year.

Moreover, April 10 was also declared as a non-working holiday in place of April 9 – the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan, which will fall on a Sunday in 2023.

In observance of Bonifacio Day (which falls on a Thursday for the year 2023), the proclamation declared November 27 – the nearest Monday to November 30 – as a non-working holiday pursuant to Republic Act 9492.

Signed last Nov. 11, Presidential Proclamation No. 90 amends provisions of the earlier issued Presidential Proclamation No. 42, S. 2022, or the declaration of the regular holidays and special (non-working) days for the year 2023.

“The long weekends will help spur economic activities, sustain tourism-related employment opportunities, and aid communities dependent on tourism,” Frasco furthered.

Sharon Cuneta: ‘Retirement is calling’

by Stephanie Bernardino

Once again, with feeling.

Sharon Cuneta just announced anew her intention to retire from show business.

She did so on Instagram, sharing Joanna Gaines’ new book, “The Stories We Tell.” 

According to her, she could relate to the part when Joanna talked about how she was “grateful beyond measure but exhausted.”

“This part really resonated with me because, well, I am 56 now – and I am just undeniably EXHAUSTED,” said Sharon.

Then she declared: “Retirement is calling.”

Not totally, though. 

She related that maybe she could pop up once in a while in a movie or two, do a concert, or a TV show, even a series.

That is, if they’re not too tiring.

She’s “tired,” she emphasized.

“All I wish I could do is be with my family and take care of them. And do all those other things I always wish I could do but just couldn’t find the time for,” she said.

Sharon then asked followers to pray with her.

“Thank you so much and I love you all.” 

Sharon already said the same thing in 2019.

She said she’s planning to try semi-retirement after four decades in showbiz

Fertility survey mirrors changing face of Philippine society

Published November 19, 2022, 12:02 AM

by Manila Bulletin

Demographic surveys are important because their results become the basis for a lot of policy-making and legislative action that form the basis of governance. These samplings also show changes in behavior, consumer preferences and overall ideological bent of the population, and thus have a huge bearing on business and the economy.

Quietly but efficiently, the National Health Demographic Survey (NHDS) was completed this year under the auspices of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and it confirmed what many in the country’s urban areas have thought all along:  the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of Filipino women 15- to 49-years old now stands at 1.9 children — which means that each Filipino married woman wants a maximum of two children.

According to Population Commission (POPCOM) Officer-In-Charge Executive Director Lolito Tacardon, this latest TFR number reinforces the PSA’s findings in February this year that the Philippines is now in a “demographic transition” with low levels of fertility and mortality. 

Tacardon and other population experts said “this significant decline in total fertility rate offers both an opportunity, as well as a challenge.”

They positively see this as a “breakthrough” for the country’s programs on population and development as well as family planning, which were instituted more than five decades ago.

Economists see this sharp decrease in TFR of Filipino women not a cause for alarm but rather an advantage because it has the potential of being the catalyst in hastening socioeconomic development in the country.  In particular, low TFR can improve labor force participation and reduce poverty with couples devoting more time to productive endeavors and livelihood activities.

“Focus should now be on ensuring that the quality and capacity of the country’s human resources are enhanced. At the household level, lower fertility also means greater opportunity for personal development of couples and individuals, which can redound to more savings and investments,” the POPCOM chief said.

Is being fluent in the Filipino language still significant in this day and age?

Michelle Jones

Professional Matchmaking Consultant for CebuWomen.com

International Dating Coach and Matchmaking Consultant for Cebu Women

 with years of professional experience in the industry.

The real question is who is it significant for?

1. To be globally competent, being fluent in English is more important.

2. For visitors/tourists to the Philippines, being fluent isn’t a requirement.

So here are instances where I feel fluency in Filipino is a requirement:

1. The classical arts. If you are interested in deeply understanding, studying, and performing Filipino classical arts (singing, literature, etc.), you will need some degree of fluency.

2. If you like to travel around the Philippines. If you’re from Cebu, and you want to travel to Tacloban where they speak Waray, you’re better off speaking in Filipino (Tagalog). If you’re clearly a native Filipino and you speak English to your fellow Filipino in an informal setting, that’s a no-no.

3. When it’s your job. If you’re a Filipino historian, public speaker, or politician, your Filipino has to be tip-top.