RETIREMENT? THE PHILIPPINES GOT YOU!

They got me 26 years ago. Forever and ever. 

First and foremost, the benefits of retiring in the Philippines are that it's the Philippines! The beautiful sunny beaches, the wonderful food, and the welcoming people make the Philippines one of the most popular retirement destinations in the world. Indefinite stay with multiple-entry and exit allowances.

Getting old in bliss is almost everyone’s vision of the future. But one imagines that long-term satisfaction diversely; to live a peaceful and enjoyable life and feel the warmth and sense of belongingness in various facets will always be on the bucket list.

With 7,641 islands, the Philippines offers countless options to match your needs and prove that it’s truly more fun in the country. From beaches, mountains and natural wonders to historical landmarks, nature adventures and recreational places, the Philippines will suit your interests, tastes and wishes.

Love the beach? Come and visit Palawan. It was ranked as the no. 1 best island in the world in 2016 by a poll from readers of US travel magazine, Conde Nast. Aquamarine-colored water, captivating lagoons, and home the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of UNESCO’s Seven Natural Wonders,

Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte is also gaining popularity for possessing pristine sandbars that you must see with your very eyes.

If you aren’t fond of saltwater, let the beautiful waterfalls in the Philippines’ Queen City of the South, Cebu City, captivate you. Or pamper yourself in the hundreds of hot spring resorts in Laguna. Oh, did we mention hundred? Check out the marvelous Hundred Islands in Pangasinan.

The country is really rich in natural attractions, let alone the Chocolate Hills of Bohol or the perfect-shaped cone, Mayon Volcano in Bicol.

The Philippines is a tropical country and you will see the sun year-round. But if you want to be in a cool place any time of the year, Baguio and Tagaytay will always be there as your relief. The Banaue Rice Terraces in Benguet and an adventure destination lake in Caliraya might amuse you too.

If ever your kind of trip and gratification is unusual, spelunking in the caves of Sagada or Samar will be totally fun. Mountains located in Batangas and Rizal are just waiting for you to be trekked and climbed. La Union and Siargao Island are surfing destinations that offer a thrilling experience at a different level regardless of your age. Hop on an adventure in the currently flourishing Masungi Georeserve in Rizal that leaves its visitors extremely fascinated.

Live and appreciate the basics in Batanes, the country’s northernmost province. Rolling hills, old stoned houses and the very serene environment will give you peace and tranquility.

The Philippines also boasts of cultural heritage sites and restored historic infrastructures. Intramuros, the Walled City within the country’s capital city of Manila, and Vigan’s Calle Crisologo are just a few of those that will take you back to the old times.

Immerse in the local culture and get a taste of the exceptional Filipino cuisine. From local viands, mouth-watering fruits, and unique desserts, everything is a reflection of the provinces’ history, culture, and the people’s way of life. If you don’t feel the wanderlust yet, doesn’t it sound fun to experience riding the Jeepney and Tricycle that are purely “Pinoy” modes of transportation?

Manila is the country’s shopping mecca but major cities and towns are dotted with a variety of shopping malls that house international and local brands.

The booming economy and the low-cost of living will give you more value for your money. Indulge yourself for a fraction of the cost in your home country.

It is the ultimate “home” for everyone because of Filipinos who are known to be one of the most hospitable and the happiest people in the world. Locals abundantly give contagious smiles, genuinely touch lives, and will make your stay worthwhile. The flourishing medical tourism also just adds up to the reasons why you should choose the Philippines.

So why retire in the Philippines? With all the stated facts above and a thousand more that are yet to be expressed and discovered, the answer to that question would simply be, “Why not?”

A month or even a year of stay wouldn’t be enough to savor and relish the country. The Philippines is a good travel destination, isn’t it? Well, it would be best explored if you choose it as your home and your retirement haven. Let yourself experience the perquisites the Philippines has.

Popular Expat Cities Monthly Costs Population

Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental $925 134,103
Makati, Metro Manila $1,500 629,616
Subic Bay, Zambales $1,250 111,912
Tagaytay, Cavite $975 85,330
Baguio City, Luzon $950 366,358
Lipa City, Batangas $900 372,931
BGC, Taguig City $1,500 886,722
Davao City, Mindanao $1,100 1,776,949
Cebu City, Cebu $1,200 964,169
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental $1,050 600,78

Ivana Alawi: Dating but not in a relationship

 

Nathalie Tomada - The Philippine Star 

August 22, 2024 | 12:00am

Ivana Alawi has transformed into a modern-day Barbie for the latest campaign of a luxury jewelry brand.

LVNA by Drake Dustin, the brand behind the campaign, received an offer from Mattel five years ago to come up with a Barbie-inspired collection. However, they couldn’t afford to secure the license until last year.

“Five years namin pinag-ipunan,” revealed LVNA (pronounced as Luna) founder Drake Dustin Ibay, adding that this international partnership is good for three years and that they are starting with a trunk collection.

Naturally, the face of the campaign is the company’s first celebrity endorser Ivana.

The actress and content creator is the face of the Barbie-inspired trunk collection of fine jewelry brand LVNA by Drake Dustin.

Like many young girls, the actress and content creator said she’s also a fan of the iconic doll. “It’s an honor and I have loved Barbie since I was a kid. Even the movie, I watched it. I really look up to Barbie,” she shared during a recent presscon.

“When I was growing up, (I felt like) kailangan minsan perfect. But yung napanood ko sa ‘Barbie’ (the movie)... the truth is you don’t have to be perfect because you have to be you. When I watched that movie, I said to myself, ‘What a beautiful storyline.’”

For Drake, nevertheless, Ivana made the perfect endorser for their campaign because “she’s our lucky charm.”

Ivana with the brand's young management team, led by LVNA CEO Drake Dustin Ibay and president Dannielle Louise Ibay (third and fifth from left, respectively).

“Ivana, (she) made LVNA,” Drake told The STAR, explaining: “She started everything. If it wasn’t for the endorsement she did over the pandemic, we would have perished.

“During the pandemic, all of us were uncertain of what’s gonna happen. What gave us the edge, more than the rising value of diamonds and gold, was Ivana’s endorsement of LVNA. That gave us awareness in the Philippine market online…. Because of that, we were able to open a lot of stores.”

He also recalled how Ivana made a trend out of “self-love” rings after she purchased the reportedly P12 million-worth diamond “engagement” ring that she wore for the endorsement photo shoot.

Looking back on that huge purchase, Ivana told The STAR, “Maybe because when I was younger, inaantay ko yung engagement ko. I told myself, 18 years old papakasal na ako, eh wala. I was 25 or 26 na ata nun. Alam mo, ayoko na mag-antay and gusto ko kasi yung malaking ring. Pangarap ko yun since I was collecting smaller rings when I was younger.

“When I wore that in our endorsement shoot, I said it’s so beautiful, kahit wala na akong TF (talent fee), parang this is my dream eh, yung ring na yun. I texted Drake, ‘Gusto ko siya, kasi ang ganda talaga.’

“When you see it and when you fall in love with a piece of jewelry, you can never sleep. Sabi ko, ‘Gusto ko, Drake.’ Sabi niya, ‘Ha? Sure ka?’ Na-in love ako eh. It’s now in my collection and it’s the most special.”

“Start basic. Like, what you will wear every day. The first purchase I made was a ring… (Choose) not naman in carat, especially if hindi pa kaya, but invest in a good stone,” she advised those who are starting to invest in fine jewelry.

Meanwhile, a real-life engagement ring would have to wait as Ivana gamely answered this paper’s question if she found her “real-life” Ken, the male counterpart doll of Barbie.

“Secret,” she responded quickly. “Hindi pa. ‘Di ako sure. I’m dating other people but (hindi ako) I’m not in a relationship.”

Ivana acknowledged that some men might feel intimidated by her independence and ability to buy things for herself. But she believes that relationships shouldn’t be based on material gifts.

“Ako kasi, I believe sa mga relasyon, hindi ka papasok para bilhan mo ako ng ganito or ng ganyan,” she said.

“I can buy myself the diamonds that I want. I can buy myself whatever I want, and that’s why I work hard and that’s why I’m inspired to keep working. Hindi naman ako papasok sa isang relasyon na dun ako aasa. Hindi dapat ganoon,” she further said.

Her type of guy has not changed since she last talked with this paper about the qualities she wants in a future lifetime partner.

She still prefers meaningful conversations and intelligence over attributes like physical appearance.

“Kung walang mapag-uusapan at saka wala naman kwenta, kunwari kung looks lang, ayoko talaga. Dapat talaga may utak,” she said.

She said that she’s been meeting people who are “okay,” meaning they’ve met her standards, and that she’s not being overly selective. Ultimately, she said, she’ll go with whoever her heart chooses.

“Meron naman akong nakikilalang okay and hindi naman nagtataas yung standards ko or whatever. Basta ako, kung kanino titibok yung puso ko, yun na lang.”

For potential suitors, Ivana had this to say: “Don’t be afraid to make the first move. ‘Wag kayo matakot sa babae na feeling mo successful or whatever. You’re enough.”

“Mag-message ka ngayon (Message me now),” she laughingly added.

Dengue surge prompts Philippine Red Cross to activate extensive outbreak response plan

 

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Amid rising dengue cases nationwide, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Wednesday, Aug. 21, announced that it has activated a comprehensive dengue outbreak response plan.

(Philippine Red Cross / Manila Bulletin) 

As the major blood supplier in the country, the PRC said that the implementation of the response plan aims to address the increasing demand for blood supplies and other critical needs of dengue-affected patients.

“As many areas in the country are declared under a state of calamity due to the alarming rise in dengue cases, we are implementing a response plan to assist government agencies during this crisis,” PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dick Gordon said.

Gordon also reiterated the PRC’s proactive approach. “I always tell my team the importance of the 4Ps: Predict, Plan, Prepare, and Practice,” Gordon said. “Just like in recent health challenges, this is not just PRC’s fight; it’s all of ours,” he added.

Steady blood supply

Based on the dengue response plan of the PRC Blood Services, the PRC will ensure a steady blood supply.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 21 this year, the PRC has dispensed 3,180 blood units to 1,020 dengue patients, including those residing in areas under a state of calamity. 

The PRC noted that in Iloilo province, which was placed under a state of calamity on Aug. 20, a total of 826 blood bags were supplied to infected patients.

In Maasin, Southern Leyte, a total of 15 units of blood platelets were delivered from its Cebu Chapter.

Maasin was also placed under a state of calamity along with other places in Eastern Visayas.

Gordon explained that the 102 PRC chapters report the inventory of their blood supply daily. “Kaya very confident ako na kahit nasaan ka man sa bansa, kaya kang bigyan ng Red Cross ng dugo (So I'm very confident that no matter where you are in the country, the Red Cross can provide you with blood),” he added.

In addition to providing blood for transfusions, the response plan includes various programs and activities, such as online and on-ground dengue awareness campaigns, health caravans, blood donation drives, and cleanup initiatives to curb the spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, PRC Secretary General Gwen Pang explained that the response plan also serves as a “compass” for the PRC national headquarters and its 102 chapters nationwide in conducting activities related to dengue mitigation. 

“With PRC’s 108 blood service facilities, 32 blood centers, 76 blood collecting stations, and 15 apheresis centers across the Philippines, we are confident that no patient will be denied access to blood,” Pang said.

For blood needs and assistance, the public can reach out to the PRC’s 24/7 hotlines at 1158 and 143.

Pilita Corrales turns 85

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Aug 21, 2024 02:06 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Now semi-retired from performing, Pilita observes her 85th birthday with her family, treasuring the quiet moments when she can look back at the beautiful memories of her incredible career.

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Pilita Corrales

Asia’s Queen of Songs, the legendary Pilita Corrales, turns 85 on Aug. 22, marking nearly 70 years as one of the country’s greatest entertainers.

Born in Cebu to Spanish parents, the young Pilita left her finishing school studies in Madrid to take up show business after her father's sudden death.  

Initial success came as a recording artist and television presenter in Australia.  Her recording of Come Closer to Me topped the charts and led to several albums and other shows.  She was so popular that a street was named after her in Victoria.

Back home in the Philippines, she went from radio star of La Taberna to the biggest draw in stage shows at the Clover Theater and the Manila Grand Opera House and the star of Manila’s posh nightclubs. 

She was also a favorite in the concert scene which included performances with The Beatles, Matt Monroe, Sammy Davis Jr. and other foreign acts.  She also performed in Las Vegas and joined Bob Hope on tour.

Pilita’s recording of A Million Thanks to You, composed by Alice  Doria Gamilla, became one of the few original Filipino songs to top the hit charts. This led to her own weekly TV show, Your Evening with Pilita, one of the highest-rated and most awarded in local television history.   

A pivotal moment in her career came with her recording of the album Philippine Love Songs.  The collection of old Filipino originals like Dahil Sa Iyo, Irog Ako ay Mahalin, Hinahanap Kita, and others is now considered the turning point of the local music industry.  

Pilita’s new versions, with its modern pop touch, brought the old songs to the attention of young music lovers.  This is believed to have provided the jumpstart to the golden age of Philippine pop music during the 70s era.

Philippine Love Songs included a song titled Kapantay ay Langit, composed by then-new songwriter George Canseco. This became Pilita’s other signature song and the apt vehicle for her famous backbend. 

Canseco also wrote My Daughter, which brought Pilita the Best Singer Award at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1972. Pilita is also a movie and television actress and comedienne. 

Now semi-retired from performing, Pilita observes her 85th birthday with her family, treasuring the quiet moments when she can look back at the beautiful memories of her incredible career.