Romualdez sees influx of foreign tourists; here's why

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

May 7, 2023 12:08 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• House Speaker Martin Romualdez believes that there could be an  influx of foreign tourists to the Philippines thanks to  the World Health Organization's (WHO) lifting of its Covid-19 global health emergency declaration, as well as the easing of travel restrictions by several countries

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Boracay, arguably the crown jewel of Philippine tourism. (Unsplash)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez is prodding authorities to prepare for a possible influx of foreign tourists to the Philippines in the coming days.

This, as the House leader pointed to the World Health Organization's (WHO) lifting of its Covid-19 global health emergency declaration, as well as the easing of travel restrictions by several countries, including the United States and Japan.

Romualdez said these developments could result in freer travel and more tourists visiting the Philippines.

“Let the concerned government agencies and sectors of the economy prepare for this possibility, which will benefit tourist destinations and local communities,” said the Leyte 1st district congressman.

Philippine tourism was brought to its knees in early 2020 as the Covid-triggered lockdowns meant that travel was impossible. The sector has managed to partially recover, thanks to mass vaccination.

The Speaker in particular urged the Department of Health (DOH) and the government’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), which manages the country’s response to the pandemic, to prescribe minimum health protocols that would be consistent with the WHO decision to scuttle its global health emergency declaration.

At the same time, he asked the DOH to continue encouraging people to avail themselves of free Covid-19 vaccination the government is offering.

Romualdez reminded the public “to wear a face mask when needed, wash your hands, isolate when sick, observe physical distancing, and get vaccinated” to avoid contracting Covid-19.

He noted that although most of the population already had their primary shots, many still have yet to receive their first and second booster shots.

Romualdez also asked local officials to continue monitoring the situation in their respective areas and immediately take the necessary measures whenever there is a spike in Covid-19 cases.

“Let us promptly attend to those needing help so that this virus does not infect more people and lead to more deaths,” he said.

Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez expresses interest in joining showbiz

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

May 7, 2023 02:44 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Perez, who finished in the top 12 of the Miss World 2021 beauty pageant in Puerto Rico, revealed that she's already taking acting lessons, although she also dreams of becoming a host in a TV program.

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Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez

Miss World Philippines 2021 Tracy Maureen Perez has expressed interest in joining show business following her successful stint in pageants.

"It's one of the possibilities. I won't deny that. Isa yun sa mga na-realize ko actually that being Miss World Philippines can open so many opportunities for me and hindi ko talaga puwedeng baliwalain yung opportiunity na yun. I'm very much willing to take that step. Hindi natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari but again anywhere I go I always put my best foot forward, and I will do my best," said Perez during the launch of Beauty Wise at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City recently.

Perez, who finished in the top 12 of the Miss World 2021 beauty pageant in Puerto Rico, revealed that she's already taking acting lessons, although she also dreams of becoming a host in a TV program.

"If I were given the chance I would really love to be a TV host like a noontime show host but at the same time, I've tried taking acting lessons already. It's so different and it's so much fun. So tignan po natin at gusto ko rin siyang ma try kasi we should never stop learning and trying new things kahit na ano man ang age natin. Just go out there and live our lives," Perez also said.

Tracy and Beauty Wise CEO Abdania Galo (left)

Perez, 30, admitted that she was happily in a relationship with a non-showbiz guy.

On showbiz crushes, Perez said that she admires Robert Downey Jr., John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, and Joshua Garcia.

Perez was introduced by Abdania Tapulgo Galo as the latest celebrity ambassador of Beauty Wise products. Galo, 18, is the country's youngest chief executive officer of a company.

Galo said that she dreamed of joining show business but growing up he changed her mind.

Tracy (right) and Abdania

"Actually as a kid, it's really my dream (to join showbiz) pero growing up, naging inspiration ko ang mom ko. She's so into business, and I'm watching her every day, doing struggles and inspiring me a lot. And that's something I am willing to learn," Galo also said.

"Being a young CEO has a great responsibility. The feeling is really mabigat to the point na mahuhulog na yung puso mo. You haver a great responsibility and that's what I'm looking for," Galo added. "I used to try other products and nag-explore talaga ako. Walang bagay sa skin ko. But ever since I tried Beauty Wise products, one year na ako and last year lang ako nagstart, and here I am. I'm flawless."

Asked about the wisest advice from her mom, Galo said: "My mom told me to learn and learn and try my best. If you don't try your best, magpapakita yung results. So mom said, 'gusto mo ba talaga yan?' And then I said, 'oo gusto ko ito.' She also told me to explore. My mom is so adventurous and I kept exploring until I found out na gusto ko talaga maging CEO. It's something I can be proud of. It's something I have been waiting for a long time."

Abdania Galo (Facebook)

Perez was also asked about the wisest thing about beautiful.

"I try to think myself as beautiful and use it anyway now na hopefully ma encourage and ma-inspire ko rin yung mga bata. Hindi ako maputi. Usually when we talk about skin care, usually maputi at makinis. I think I am one of the few endorsers na proud morena. I'd like to see these children, especially sa probinsya, Pumunta ka sa probinsya halos lahat morena. So gusto kong tumingin sila sa akin at tumingin sila sa TV at sabihin nila morena siya pero maganda siya. Pero gusto kong ma-realize nila na maganda rin sila," the beauty queen said.

It took Perez a long time to realize that she's beautiful. "Personally nagagandahan din ako sa mestiza kaya naman gandang-ganda ako kay Iya noong nakita ko sya the first time. Pero it took me a lot of validations from my friends and the industry na maganda pala ako."

Perez tried three times before she became Miss World Philippines. "Beauty is subjective, at dapat magsimula yun sa sarili ninyo. Hopefully, you start telling yourselves that hey I'm beautiful, and I'm capable of doing anything with my life."

25 YEARS IN THE PHILIPPINES AS GERMAN EXPATRIATE (II)

When we arrived in Davao, we were amazed. Our house looked almost finished from the outside. But there was still a lot to do inside. The greeting was exuberant. We lay in each other's arms and cried for joy. 

Rossana's brothers Archie and Ricardo had taken over the building supervision last year. They had already lived on the property with their families and had also laid out the small garden. A small swimming pool was there and my greatest wish had come true: dogs.

Everything seemed perfect down to the last. We lived wall to wall with our American Ninong Maurice and his Filipina wife, our Ninang Alicia. They had bought the property right next to us already in 1959.

In the next few days and weeks there was a lot for us to do. Unpacking suitcases, arranging the interior fittings and doing paperwork after paperwork. Rossana, my mother and I hardly got time to think about Germany. Homesickness did not arise. Not yet.

Rossana was especially busy sorting out the dance group costumes from Berlin. Maybe there will be another chance to perform in Davao City as a New Manisan Cultural  Dance Troupe? Well, that should become reality faster than we thought. I thought about my music library and several thousand books. 

And then events rolled over! One telephone call from the Davao City Port Customs Office in particular kept us in suspense. Our knees shook.

At the end: no problems with our containers.

A big hello sounded. GMA-TV director Bam Salavani recognized Rossana immediately. Then schoolmate and host Onnie Alfaro. "What are you doing here in Davao? Are you on vacation?" Questions about questions from all sides stormed us. "After the short commercial break, you are part of the show", called Bam Salvani. And so we were German guests on this TV show for the first time. During the following years we became an integral part of the show.

 "Testigo" and "Singgit Davao" were re-launched and were taken under the wing of GMA News & Public Affairs and GMA Entertainment TV Group respectively. In August of the same year, "Singgit Davao" was relaunched as "Kuyaw!" in time for the Kadayawan Festival.  Just to mention some: other hosts were Eureka, Emily Urgino and Al Ryan Alejandre - later City Councilor of Davao City.

I felt very much at home with the radio, newspapers and television. Mindanao Times Lifestyle writer Josie San Pedro had mentioned my mother, Rossana and me in her column "passages" during the great event "Singgit Davao at two"  - the stepping stone for our future. I must confess, not all expats in the Philippines went the same or similar path as me.

For the first years I liked to take a jeepney. I found it interesting to get to know a lot of people while driving. And, step by step, I learned Bisaya. Nevertheless, one day a VW-beetle from the Archdiocese parked in our garden. A little old but he drove. We called him affectionalle "Knatterton". But it really never cracked.

I started writing lifestyle columns. The International Harvardian University (IHU) Grand Alumni Homecoming was a special event. It was at the same time the rebirth of the IHU - Manisan Dancegroup. The dream of the old and new lead dancer Rossana had come true. It was at the event that I met Rodrigo Duterte for the first time - then Vice Mayor of Davao City.

But then, suddenly out of the blue, the culture shock awoke. Being on vacation in the Philippines is different from everyday life. I couldn't adjust myself especially to "Philippine Time". And many other things followed. 

(To be continued!)

Hip-hop star Saweetie on how her Filipino roots shaped her

 

By: Allan Policarpio - Reporter

Growing up in a multiracial household was, at times, frustrating for hip-hop star Saweetie, who was born to a Filipino mother and an African-American father.

She had to juggle both sides of her family and their differences in language and culture. But looking back, she wouldn’t have it any other way. Because it’s precisely the kind of upbringing she had that expanded her worldview and shaped her into the woman she is now.

“There was a lot of code-switching because I come from two different families. So as a little girl, it was really frustrating. But it taught me that no two groups of people are the same, and you have to be respectful of morals, values and cultures,” she said when asked by the Inquirer at a recent press conference about growing up biracial.

“I think it was an advantage for me because it didn’t limit how I viewed the world,” added Saweetie, who visited the Philippines to lead the roster of performers at the 2023 Fiba (International Basketball Federation) World Cup draw last Saturday at Araneta Coliseum. (The event was aired on the OneSports and OneSports+ channels via Cignal, Cignal Play and SatLite.)

“I’m really grateful to have experienced cultures that are important to me and taught me to be the woman I am today.”

Her mother, Trinidad Valentin, was the disciplinarian—a “tiger mom,” quipped Saweetie, whose real name is Diamonté Harper.

“She was really hard on me as a child. But I’m happy that she was really strict. She made sure I had good grades and disciplined me,” she said. “I feel like she cares about my future. It was tough love. But now that I’m older, I understand. I really love her.”

While music has always been her passion, it had to take a backseat to her education. But after earning a degree in communications from the University of Southern California, Saweetie finally shifted her focus on her rap career.

Known for her “1990s rhyme reverence” and her fashion-forward visual style, the 29-year-old artist drew on her love of poetry to come up with colorful verses for such hits as “Best Friend,” “My Type,” “Icy Girl” and “Tap In,” as well as her upcoming debut album, “Pretty Bitch Music.”

Business ventures

Her growing success and fame has allowed Saweetie to travel the world and share her talent. Wherever she goes, she makes sure to pay homage to her Filipino roots—not only through words—but also through fashion and other visual details in her music videos.

“The Filipino culture is in my DNA. It’s in my roots. I’m proud of where I came from and who I am. And my mom and her brothers and sisters and my lolo and lola—they’re all immigrants. I was raised in a real traditional Filipino household. And I’m proud of that,” she said.

“It’s important for me to represent that, especially in an industry where we don’t see many Filipinos,” she added. “I love showing a part of my heritage.”

Once other Filipinos learn that you’re a kababayan, you become part of the family—no questions asked, she said. “They will love you. Every time I travel to a new city, there’s always a Filipino tita or nanay who cooks pancit and brings it to my shows. And they’re like, ‘We know you’re Filipino, we love you out here,’” she related.

Aside from music, Saweetie has been expanding her brand to business ventures in the fashion and beauty industries. “I like to do things that are organic to me. I juggle my creative and business sides with the help of a good team. That’s important,” she said.

“As Filipinos, we’re really hard workers and we like to do everything ourselves … But the bigger you grow, the more you need helping hands.”

One of Saweetie’s most unforgettable musical collaborations was the pop disco track “Closer” with fellow Filipino-American and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. So, given the chance, she said she would love to continue working with new Filipino artists in the future and share her platform with them.

“I was just talking to my team, like, ‘Where are the upcoming artists? I wanna meet them. Normally, when I go to a new city, I like to meet new and upcoming local artists who are trying to pursue their career path because sometimes they don’t have a platform,” Saweetie said.

And if she could give a piece of advice to Filipino artists hoping to make it big on the world stage, it’s this: Embrace the culture.

“Sometimes, when people travel to America, they feel like they have to embrace American culture. But what makes us really unique and special is where we came from. I love that my mom taught me the core values she learned as a little girl and instilled them in me. We should all be proud of where we came from. Because if it weren’t for our home, we couldn’t be who we are now.

Big time oil price rollback on Tuesday

More than P2.00/liter price cut across commodities

BY MYRNA M. VELASCO

  

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AT A GLANCE

• • Renewed fears of banking crisis contagion precipitated price slump in trading last week
• • Price decline had been compounded by weak industrial figures from China and other geopolitical events
• • Markets look forward to outcome of the in-person meeting of OPEC+ by June

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Motorists are in for significant financial relief with oil prices on on big time rollback next week due to the downtrend of prices in the world market, according to industry players.

Based on estimates, gasoline prices will be trimmed by P2.10 to P2.40 per liter; while diesel prices will have heftier reduction of P2.60 to P2.90 per liter.

For kerosene, a key fuel commodity for households and vital industries like aviation, its price will decrease by P2.30 to P2.60 per liter.

Domestic oil firms will be implementing the price cuts by Tuesday, May 9, and it will be anchored on cost swings of the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), the pricing benchmark for traded petroleum commodities in the regional market.

Global experts said that last week’s plummet in oil prices had been mainly due to renewed fears of banking crisis contagion following the recently reported collapse of First Republic Bank in the United States.

Such dismal development in the global banking industry was compounded by weaker-than-expected industrial figures from China; hence, reinforcing jitters of overall slowdown in global economic growths.

Futures contract for international benchmark Brent crude plunged to the level of $74 per barrel last week, a drop from $79 to $80 per barrel from trading days in the prior week.

Compounding the geopolitical dilemma of the oil markets last week had been reports of hijacked oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz along the Persian Gulf, as well as the lingering deadlock on oil exports that will be coming from the Kurdish region of Iraq.

Conversely, news of falling inventory in the US partly propped market as of Friday (May 5) trading, with crude prices rising slightly to $75 per barrel, but market watchers noted that was not enough to lift sagging prices.

Onward, the major development anticipated in markets would be the outcome of the scheduled in-person meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its ally-producers (OPEC+) by June 4, especially if they will come up with any decision to arrest the precipitous slide in prices.

Colorful show ushers in 32nd Cambodia SEAG

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

  

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AT A GLANCE

• For a small country tucked on the corridors of behemoth neighbors, Cambodia prepared an extravagant show that took years to be stitched together, putting up a vibrant combination of a light display and cultural performance that left everyone in awe inside the spanking new stadium.

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Thousands flocked the Morodok Techo Stadium in this capital city to witness the historic opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Friday, May 5.

Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on Friday, May 5, 2023. (AFP)

For a small country tucked on the corridors of behemoth neighbors, Cambodia prepared an extravagant show that took years to be stitched together, putting up a vibrant combination of a light display and cultural performance that left everyone in awe inside the spanking new stadium.

Athletes, coaches and officials braved the heavy traffic going to the 60,000-seater venue, with some fans even opting to walk for a few kilometers just to join the festivities that would mark the start of the two-week regional sporting meet.

Hosting the biennial meet for the first time, Cambodia showcased its history and famous landmarks such as the Angkor Wat through colorful cultural presentations.

Performers donned with traditional costumes drew cheers from the audience with their impressive demonstrations.

The stadium, whose structure was designed to resemble a sailing ship that symbolizes the Cambodia-China relations, lit up with light sticks on each seat while fireworks in between presentations drew oohs and aahs from the audience.

Presentations revolved with this edition’s slogan, “Sports: Live in Peace.”

The Philippines, with its token representation composed of all female athletes, joined the march of nations with volleyball star Alyssa Valdez carrying the country’s colors.

“I’m very overwhelmed. I know there are a lot of empowered women na makakasabay ko sa paglalakad ko ngayong gabi. I'm just inspired to share this moment again,” said Valdez prior to the parade of athletes.

“I’m grateful that women in sport are being recognized,” she added.

Accompanying them are Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino and Team PH chief of mission Chito Loyzaga.

Among those who marched for Team PH are Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio, athletics bets Kristina Knott and Natalie Uy, woodpushers Janelle Mae Frayna and Shania Mae Mendoza and Filipinas’ Inna Palacios, to name a few.

A total of 584 events in 36 sports will be competed in this edition, where Team PH sent 905 athletes with hopes of improving its previous showing of 52 gold, 70 silver and 105 bronze medals.

As of Thursday, May 4, the Filipinos clinched two gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

Cambodia, for its part, is on to its bid of claiming the overall championship for the first time as it currently leads the medal standings prior to the formal opening with five golds and four silvers.

Moms making waves in MUPh 2023

BY ANNALYN S. JUSAY

May 7, 2023 07:13 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• When they walk the stage on the MUPH grand coronation night on May 13, they are not just doing it for themselves; they are also making their child proud and their community excited as they become part of  "herstory." Who knows, one of them could be proclaimed Miss Universe Philippines 2023!

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Historic. There's no other way to describe this year's batch of Miss Universe Philippines beauties who are the first qualifiers of the new rule to allow married or single moms to join the pageant. Standing tall and proud among their fellow candidates, the three mothers of MUPH 2023 are making waves with their talents, head-turning looks and unique life stories to tell.

When they walk the stage on the MUPH grand coronation night on May 13, they are not just doing it for themselves; they are also making their child proud and their community excited as they become part of  "herstory." Who knows, one of them could be proclaimed Miss Universe Philippines 2023!

Let us get to know the MUPH mommies one by one:

Miss Benguet Joemay-An Leo calls herself the first married woman to make it to MUPH. Aside from being a mom to her baby daughter Courkin, she is also the SK chairperson of the town of Tuba in her province. She wowed the crowd in the recently-concluded National Costume competition, emerging second place by parading around the stage with a salad of mountain-grown vegetables behind her back.

Joemay-An Leo

Joemay is no stranger to pageantry, having been proclaimed Miss Cordillera in 2016 when she was barely 20. She revealed that she joined Miss Universe Philippines to give a spotlight to her province, to showcase its products as well as its tourism spots and give the world an idea what an Igorota beauty is all about.

"I am not only an Igorota. I am a proud Ibaloi and Kankanaey from Mt. Province. My advocacy is cultural awareness and sensitivity. I aim to show the skills and talents of all indigenous peoples all over the Philippines, not only the Igorots," she told the Manila Bulletin after last month's press presentation.

Joemay revealed that it has been hard juggling pageant duties and being with her family. " I have been going to Benguet and travelling back to Manila. Pabalik-balik po ako just to see my family and join the activities. What's giving me the courage to continue is I know my baby will be proud of what I do now and she will be empowered just like me."

Miss Parañaque Clarielle (Clare) Dacanay is easily one of the most recognizable beauties in MUPH 2023 because she towers at 5'11 and sports short hair. Her recent feat was being named one of Aqua Boracay's Magic 8 finalists.

Clarielle (Clare) Dacanay

Clare said she is engaged to her partner and father of her 2 1/2 year old daughter. She is also an interior design student. " I was actually working under Asian Vision, It's a cable company, but I let it go since I wanted to focus on my daughter, my schooling, and the pageant," she disclosed.

"Joining the pageant was a spur-of-the-moment decision. When they removed the civil status requirement, I thought it was destiny because I always wanted to join ever since I was a kid. Then I had a baby so I thought it was game over but when they announced the new rule, I had no doubt in my mind and I just went for it," the 25-year old Clare revealed.

She added that "the best thing about joining the pageant is all the learning I get."

"My advocacy is maternal mental health, especially post partum depression or PPD. I was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder back in 2019 and I had suicidal tendencies. I was actually confined in a psych ward for maybe roughly a month. But when I found out about my pregnancy, I knew the importance of having to focus on your mental being before having a baby because you don't want to affect their growth. Luckily, I didn't experience any signs of PPD, just a few traces of sadness. But I wanted to advocate for it because I had a good friend who underwent a very bad case of PPD and I saw how much it affected not only her but also the baby," Clare stated.

The last mom-candidate is  Miss Quezon City Mary Eileen Gonzales. She is 27, businesswoman, actress and a middle child in a family of five. All her siblings are boys.

Mary Eileen Gonzales

Eileen dotes on her son Zohan, who she shares the same birthday with. "I am not the perfect mom but I just want to tell Z that everything I've done and will be doing is really for him. I want him to know that he has a mom who would do anything for him."

Eileen believes that she "manifested" being an MUPH candidate.

"Way back in 2019, I emailed the Miss Universe Organization that maybe one day, they will allow us (moms) to join the pageant. Being here today is something I am really proud of. I cannot wait to hear my son one day tell his friends that mommy is a Miss Universe Philippines candidate," Eileen said.