Philippines hailed as ‘Muslim-friendly destination’ anew—DOT

BY JEL SANTOS

Jun 1, 2024 08:22 PM

  

---

The Philippines has once again been recognized as an “Emerging Muslim-friendly non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destination” in the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2024 for the second consecutive year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Saturday, June 1.

The citation was announced at the Halal in Travel Global Summit in Singapore on Thursday, May 30, coinciding with the release of the annual Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), which benchmarks destinations in the Muslim travel market.

“In its 2024 results, the GMTI described the Philippines as an ‘Emerging Muslim-friendly non-OIC Destination’ focusing on building capacity to welcome tourists through various initiatives,” the tourism department said in a statement.

These include offering Halal food throughout the destination and incorporating Muslim-friendly amenities at major tourist attractions, it added.

According to the DOT, tourism authorities have made Halal tourism a top priority, demonstrated by their actions to enhance the Halal tourism portfolio and increase awareness among stakeholders about the values and practices significant to Muslim travelers.

Mastercard said the Philippines logged an increase in its score on communications compared to 2023.

“Among non-OIC destinations, the Philippines has steadily increased its appeal to Muslim tourists by strategically developing their Halal Tourism portfolio, enhancing halal accreditation of hotels and restaurants, and conducting Halal awareness orientations. This effort builds on their achievement of winning the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year award in last year’s Halal in Travel Global Summit, based on GMTI 2023 results,” it stated.

Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco said the DOT acknowledges the importance and potential of Halal Tourism in enhancing the growth and diversity of the country's tourism industry.

“As a country known for its warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and breathtaking natural attractions, catering to the needs of Muslim travelers through the development of Halal Tourism is crucial in ensuring that we raise our competitiveness in the global tourism market," she stated.

The DOT chief said Halal Tourism presents a rapidly growing market segment.

“By prioritizing this, we not only demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity but also open up opportunities to attract more Muslim travelers from around the world, while expanding markets for our tourism stakeholders and creating more livelihood and employment for our fellow Filipinos,” said Frasco.

The summit coincided with President Marcos' state visit to Brunei Darussalam, during which Frasco signed a tourism cooperation agreement with her counterpart to enhance Halal Tourism in the Philippines, among other initiatives, according to the agency. 

Halal Tourism is a key focus of the recently approved National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) for 2023 to 2028.

Take time to rest and sleep

 BY MANILA BULLETIN

Jun 2, 2024 00:08 AM

  

---

Sunday used to be when everyone stopped working to rest. But life moves 24/7 and work on keeping things in order for the public follows the pace. Today, rest days, or days off, are not only on Sundays but on weekdays to keep the 24/7 cycle going.

What remains unchanged is the fact that a person takes a rest day at least once in a seven-day cycle. The body is not a machine and needs to rest to recover to go on being healthy and efficient.

Sleep is at the center of rest, not only during a rest day, but every day. Sleep is as important to good health as diet and exercise. It improves brain performance, mood and health. Being drowsy or sleep-deprived is often a cause of accidents on the job.

We hear many doctors say that “not getting enough quality sleep regularly raises the risk of many diseases and disorders – from heart disease and stroke to obesity and dementia.” So why are there people who put the value of rest and sleep aside? 

One reason is the need to multi-task which often leads to taking away time for rest and sleep to perform other functions. A body can take that for a while, but not for long. Depriving the body of rest, especially sleep, will deprive the body the time to repair itself.

“Everything from blood vessels to the immune system uses sleep as a time for repair. There are certain repair processes that occur in the body mostly, or most effectively, during sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, those processes are going to be disturbed,” Dr. Kenneth Wright, Jr., a sleep researcher at the University of Colorado, said. 

There’s another misunderstanding about sleep – that one can “catch up” on sleep and its benefits over the weekend. Researchers at the National Institute on Health in the US are finding that this largely isn’t the case.

“If you have one bad night’s sleep and take a nap, or sleep longer the next night, that can benefit you. But if you have a week’s worth of getting too little sleep, the weekend isn’t sufficient for you to catch up. That’s not a healthy behavior.”

Another misunderstanding about sleep is that the older you get, the less sleep you need. Results of the same study said this isn’t true. “Older adults still need the same amount. But sleep quality can get worse as you age.” Several studies say “most adults need seven or more hours of good-quality sleep on a regular schedule each night.” Good-quality sleep gives the well-rested feeling when you wake up.

Aside from sleep, a rest day should also have time for exercise and leisure activities. Taking a walk is the easiest way to exercise and can become a leisure activity with family. Health experts have pushed the value of putting in at least a 30-minute walk in one’s daily schedule, to benefit one’s physical and mental health. A good walk enhances mood.

A rest day for the body can also be a rest day from electronic gadgets and from social media. Putting gadgets aside for a day, or only for a few hours, can benefit relationships among family members and friends. As a sign in a restaurant said: “No Wi-Fi here. Talk to each other.” 

Today, think of how you will spend your next rest day.

Real Madrid seals 15th European Cup after 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jun 2, 2024 09:08 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• The most familiar sight in European club soccer’s greatest competition felt as fresh as ever after a 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium.

---

LONDON (AP) — In an explosion of gold and silver confetti, Real Madrid held aloft the Champions League trophy for a record-extending 15th time on Saturday, June 1.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates at the end of the Champions League final soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, June 1, 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0. (AP)

The most familiar sight in European club soccer’s greatest competition felt as fresh as ever after a 2-0 win against Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium.

“Getting used to it? Never,” said Carlo Ancelotti, who extended his own record of wins as a coach to five. “The dream continues.” 

A white wall of Madrid fans at one end of the stadium serenaded their conquering heroes after goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior sealed the victory.

A predictable result came in less than predictable circumstances after Dortmund dominated the chances in the first half.

“It was a very difficult game, much more difficult than we had expected,” Ancelotti said. “We changed things because in the first half we were a bit lazy.”

Carvajal headed Madrid in front in the 74th minute and Vinicius doubled the Spanish giant’s lead nine minutes later. 

Ancelotti’s fifth Champions League title was his third in two spells with Madrid and two more than his closest rivals Zinedine Zidane, Pep Guardiola and Bob Paisley.

Carvajal, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Nacho won the trophy a sixth time to equal the benchmark set by Madrid icon Paco Gento.

Madrid’s win comes just a year after Manchester City lifted the trophy for the first time, a victory many believed would herald a new era of dominance for Guardiola’s team in Europe. Instead, it was Ancelotti who underlined his case to be considered the finest coach of his generation for his continued supremacy in the Champions League.

As well as three titles with Madrid, he was a two-time winner with AC Milan. He also lifted the Spanish title this season - his sixth league championship won in five different countries.

Madrid’s dominance of the competition defies belief, having won more than double than anyone else. Milan is the second most successful club with seven.

Madrid has won nine titles in the Champions League era and this was its second in three seasons. 

“This is the love story between Real Madrid and the European Cup. Players come, players go, but we can say that this is our competition,” Madrid president Florentino Perez said.

Its dominance will take some breaking with Kylian Mbappe widely expected to join as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain during the offseason and Brazil’s rising start Endrick on his way.

Not that Perez would confirm Mbappe’s arrival.

“You can ask me as many times as you want, but I am only going to talk about the players that are on Real Madrid’s team,” he said. “And above all today, when we just won a European Cup. These are the players who deserve all the praise.

“The future? We will have to talk about that at some other point.”

Ancelotti, though, is already thinking about the future.

“In this club there is constant demand. It is never satisfied,” he said. “We will come back with same eagerness and with same excitement and anticipation as before.”

Dortmund paid the price for not making the most of its first half superiority when Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pulled off a series of saves and Niclas Fullkrug hit the post.

Madrid took full advantage after the break when Carvajal met Kroos’ corner at the near post to power a header past Dortmund keeper Gregor Kobel.

Vinicius fired past Kobel to make it 2-0 and raced off in celebration after his goal killed off Dortmund hopes of pulling off one of the biggest Champions League upsets in recent memory. Later, Vinicius celebrated and posed for selfies with rapper Jay-Z, who was in the crowd of 86,000.

It was the second time Dortmund has lost in the final, having been beaten by Bayern Munich in 2013 when the showpiece occasion was also staged at Wembley.

Its only win in the competition was in 1997, but for a long time, the German side looked capable of halting Madrid after dominating the chances in the first half.

Coach Edin Terzic tactically outmanoeuvred Ancelotti in every department, and Madrid’s stars were subdued.

Only a combination of Courtois and the frame of the goal kept the scores level at the break after the keeper twice kept Karim Adeyemi from scoring and then watched as Fullkrug’s sliding effort came back off the post.

“There was the momentum when the game turned around and you see why they are the champions of this competition,” Terzic said. “We couldn’t manage to score and that was the key why we didn’t manage to win the game.”

25th Philippine Academic Book Fair slated this June

A premier event for educators, academics, and book enthusiasts

BY MB LIFESTYLE

Jun 1, 2024 01:26 PM

  

---

The Philippine Academic Book Fair, presented by the Academic Booksellers Association of the Philippines (ABAP), is set on June 5 to 7, 2024, at the Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

With theme "Thriving Amidst Technological Advancements and Global Challenges," the Philippine Academic Book Fair underscores the importance of adapting to the rapidly evolving landscape of education.

Long recognized as a premier event for educators, academics, and book enthusiasts alike, the Philippine Academic Book Fair presents hundreds of exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of academic book titles, publications, resources, and technologies that cater to the academic sphere.

“In an era defined by global technological advancements, it is important that educators stay abreast with the latest trends and tools to enhance teaching and learning experiences for students,” said ABAP president Evelyn Millar. “The 25th Philippine Academic Book Fair serves as an avenue for educators and schools to find the latest print and digital resources and innovative strategies to navigate the challenges of the modern academic world.”

Exhibitors at this year's fair include industry-leading publication houses and booksellers such as Bookquick Marketing, Book Trends Enterprises, C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions, CD Books International, Inc., Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd, F & J de Jesus, Inc., Fastbooks Educational Supply, Inc., Forefront Book Co., Inc., GALE, and Golden Books Services, Inc.

Also joining the event are Linar International Book Resources, Inc., Manila Bulletin, Megatexts Phil., Inc., Mind Mover Publishing House, Inc., Reader's knowledge, Rex Education, SERV Enterprises, University of the Philippines Press, Vibal Group, Inc., and YFE Worldwide Logistics, Inc.

The 25th Philippine Academic Book Fair is co-organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. For more information, contact 8896-0682 or 8373-3301, or email info@primetradeasia.com.

 

AiAi Delas Alas gives up day job to manage own company in US

BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Jun 2, 2024 08:24 AM

  

---

AT A GLANCE

• When asked about the name of her company's corporation, AiAi said, "It's still in process because I just met the members of my team."

---

AiAi Delas Alas 

Comedienne AiAi Delas Alas has revealed she has resigned from her day job in the US to become the chief operating officer of her corporation.

AiAi's former makeup artist, Marlo Colina, a nurse and businessman in the US, is joining her in her latest venture. He also encouraged AiAi to start her own company. Under the company is Martina's Skincare line, entertainment, and baking.

Marlo recalled how his partnership with AiAi started. "I started out as a makeup artist in 2008. AiAi has been my friend for 12 years. Then I opened the med spa with the skincare line. I encourage her to be a distributor in San Francisco because I've only been doing this business for four years. So I encouraged her to put up a company that also does entertainment, skincare, and baking. She is qualified to become the CEO of her company. Also, her daughter Sophia is the CEO of the company. That's the full story of how AiAi became a partner of Marlo Colina Aesthetics."

When asked about the name of her company's corporation, AiAi said, "It's still in process because I just met the members of my team." 

"I don't just use skin care products because I have psoriasis. I'm afraid of getting injured because you don't know when it will heal. It's okay to get injured on the body but you can't cover the face. So I was given a lot of MC skin products. I've been using it for two months and I have no allergies," the comedian said.

On his working relationship with AiAi, Marlo said: "Alam naman natin na when you hire AiAi for an endorsement, hindi lang thousands ang bayad sa kanya kundi millions. She's a superstar at alam naman natin yan. Noong dumating siya sa America, tinatawagan lang niya ako. Sabi niya, need ko ng hair and makeup para sa show niya sa US. Ganun lang. Sinasabi ko sa kanya noon I have new products inaalok ko siya pero sinasabi niya talaga next time na lang. Huwag ko na raw siya alukin. One day, mukhang tinapik na lang siya ni Lord at ginamit niya yung mga MC skincare products. At sinabi niya ito lang daw ang products na talagang nahiyang siya."

AiAi Delas Alas and Marlo Colina

(We know that when you hire AiAi for an endorsement, she is not only paid thousands but millions. She's a superstar and we know that. When she came to America, she just called me and said she needed hair and makeup for her shows in the US. That's all. Then I offered her new products, but she said she was not interested. One day, she used the MC skincare products and said the products were good for her skin.) 

Currently, AiAi said that she is on tour with Marlo, giving beauty talks to the public.

On having her own business in the US, AiAi said: "Hindi ko alam bakit nangyayari ito. Dasal lang talaga and ito siguro ang plano ni Lord sa akin. So let it be. Isa sa advocacy ng MC ay ang pagpapagawa ng simbahan. Kaya siguro dito niya ako nilagat dahil gusto niyang matapos ang Kristong Hari church. Ilang taon ko na yun inaasikaso. Sana matapos ko na siya."

AiAi also mentioned that she is excited to return to the Philippines for showbiz commitments, including the latest season of the popular singing reality show "The Clash."

"Ngayon pa lang nag iisip na ako kung ano ang isusuot ko, kung ano ang gimik ko at kung ano ang gagawin ko sa mga damit ko," said AiAi during a Zoom from the US recently.

AiAi referred to her upcoming stint as a judge on "The Clash" Season 6, which will begin taping in August. "Eto na. Game na uli."

She added: "Ang maganda kasi sa 'The Clash,' every season, marami siyang twist para sa mga manonood at surprisingly, para sa amin (judges)."

AiAi said she's returning to the Philippines to attend her youngest child's graduation.

"Ga-graduate yung anak kong bunso si Andrei. And then after niyan, pupunta ako sa Japan dahil may show ako sa June 15 and 16. And then sa August because of The Clash," she said.

AiAi said her schedule is being arranged so that she could appear in some of the Kapuso series. "Sana Makapag-guest ako sa 'Abot Kamay na Pangarap.' "

On her husband Gerald, AiAi said: "Okay naman siya. Working dito sa US. Super kayod pero happy naman siya. Kung makuha niya yung green card, diyan kami mag-Papasko sa Pilipinas. Gusto rin niya maging professional pickleball player."

What are typical traits of Filipinos?

Conrad

Solution Engineer

B.A in Mechanical Engineering, Visayas State UniversityGraduated 2019

Lives in The Philippines1998–present

I am Filipino and I will not answer this question with the all too familiar “they are hardworking, creative, fun loving, lazy people, etc” which has become at the very least too clichè, because these traits can be attributed to external factors like the economy, quality of life, and social status. Which has little or no influence on the more intrinsic traits of a typical Filipino

So what are the typical traits my countrymen could have? Here are a few examples (Hopefully you will get a clearer picture of the average Filipino)

1. “Mano Po” - Our way of greeting our elders. It is done by putting their hand gently on our foreheads. It is basically a sign of respect. No one else on the planet does that so that makes it a unique trait.
2. Family Oriented - If you marry a Filipino/Filipina, You will have a very high chance of getting a whole battalion of new ‘relatives’. Attributed to our ancestors who are already clan oriented before the Spanish came.
3. Being Partly Spanish - We are the Spain of the Orient. Spanish Architecture, Spanish Words mixed in with our dialect,Spanish surnames, Spanish influenced cuisine, being Catholic (excluding our Muslim Brothers who comprise 5% of the population), etc. I mean where else can you find numerous oriental looking men named Gonzalez, Jose, Juan, etc.
4. Being Partly American - After the Spanish, came the Americans. They brought with them their love for burgers, hot dogs and most importantly their language. We are arguably the most fluent English Speakers in the Eastern Hemisphere.
5. Being Partly American-Spanish - So its a mix. One good example is the names. Leo Valdez, Russel De La Cerna, etc.
6. Having an openness vibe - Being colonized for hundreds of years makes us more trusting and friendlier to foreigners especially those from the west. So much so that most of us think that working in the west provides better opportunities, in turn creating a worldly people (Filipinos being among the worlds largest diasporas).
7. Socially Conscious - Being in a family oriented culture makes us be more dependent on what others see us especially to our social circles.
8. Old Meets Modern - Most are very religious and conservative people and very dependent on social media. An attribute to being Family Oriented and Socially Conscious.

Being Filipino is like being in a melting pot of cultures derived from hundreds of years of colonization and ‘westernization’ and before that a society more akin to our Malay brothers in Southeast Asia. These traits are essentially a combination of East and West.