Is there regular maintenance at NAIA? Solon wants to know

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

May 12, 2023 01:12 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan wants to know if regular maintenance checks are indeed being done at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s main gateway.

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NAIA

A party-list congressman who  experienced a power outage at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) wants to know if regular maintenance checks are indeed being conducted at the airport.

This, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan took to task NAIA operator, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), during an inquiry Thursday, May 11, by the House Committee on Transportation.

The panel is conducting a motu propio investigation into the power outage that happened at the NAIA Terminal 3 last May 1, on Labor Day.

Yamsuan said it was regrettable that the agency appears to be insensitive to the welfare of thousands of airline passengers inconvenienced  by the crippling power outage that occurred last May 1, a long weekend. At least 9,300 passengers were reported to have been affected.

A similar power outage hit the country's main gateway last Jan. 1, where 65,000 passengers were affected.

“Meron ba kayong maintenance schedule, especially para doon sa critical facilities? Per quarter ba ‘yan, monthly ba ‘yan, ano yung maintenance schedule ‘nyo diyan (Do you have a maintenance schedule, especially for the critical facilities? Is it done per quarter, monthly? What’s your maintenance schedule?)” Yamsuan asked MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co during the committee hearing.

"Kasi kung wala kayong plano, gaya ng nasabi ni Cong. (Rodante) Marcoleta at Cong. (Salvador) Pleyto, paano natin maa-assure na okay lahat ng ginagawa ‘nyo sa mga areas na dapat ninyong tingnan? (Because if you do not have a plan, how can you assure, like what Cong. Marcoleta and Cong. Pleyto, pointed out, that what you are doing is sufficient in the areas that you need to check?),” added Yamsuan.

Unlike the Jan. 1 outage, the May 1 outage reportedly only affected domestic flights.

Yamsuan, who was among those  affected during the New Year's Day power shutdown, said he personally witnessed the sorry plight of thousands of passengers inconvenienced by the incident.

“Grabe ang nangyari sa mga kababayan natin na talagang sakto lang ang budget ng bakasyon nila. Nakakaawa sila doon sa airport, practically andoon sila, doon na natulog lahat (What happened to our countrymen whose budgets were just enough for their vacations was severely unfortunate. Their plight was pitiful. They were just there, they all just slept at the airport),” he said.

“I think that it’s crucial  for you to really take serious thought on all the things that you need to see to find out the problems in your agency,” Yamsuan told Co.

Upon Yamsuan’s questioning, the panel learned from Co that MIAA officials were briefed by their predecessors on the problems facing NAIA.

Co said this was the reason why the current MIAA leadership has been initiating the procurement of vital facilities and systems since last year.

Co also informed the committee that the MIAA has a maintenance program in place and is currently conducting an audit on NAIA’s facilities to determine the best practices that should be put in place to ensure the airport’s seamless operation.

Ruffa Gutierrez shares update on academic life

BY STEPHANIE BERNARDINO

May 12, 2023 11:25 AM

  

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Actress-beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez continues to inspire her supporters sharing her journey as a student.

Note that after finishing college last year, Ruffa is now bent on earning a master’s degree.

"Amid my hard-pressed schedules, I continue to pursue my MA in Communication at Philippine Women’s University - School of Arts and Sciences. I am now conceptualizing my thesis under the tutelage of an adviser who has published in SCOPUS-indexed international journals," she wrote in her recent Instagram post.

"As an adage says, hope springs eternal. If I can do it, so can you. Aim high! Onwards and upwards," she told her followers.

Her post is accompanied by photos and videos taken during her graduation ceremony last September.

"More than 8 months ago. Time flies indeed."

Ruffa couldn't be prouder of the achievement, something she accomplished amid her busy showbiz schedule.

“Don’t downgrade your dream just to fit your reality. Upgrade your conviction to match your destiny," she declared.

READ: Ruffa Gutierrez to graduate from college at 48, preps for master's degree

She also shared a realization.

"I realize that you can graduate at any age... Gusto ko magsilbing inspirasyon sa mga anak ko, for Lorin and Venice. As a single mom, I worked so hard. Nag-stop ako after high school kasi I made the most of my opportunities that were coming my way back then. But it’s never too late to go back to school.”

READ: Ruffa Gutierrez: 'I'm now knowledgable'

Full development of potentials of Mindanao sought

BY IVY TEJANO

  

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DAVAO CITY – Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao-Eastern (OPAMINE) Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno wants Mindanao transformed from a mere land of potential to a region of true success.

MAGNO (FB)

“There is still a lot of potential to expand the infrastructures in the entire Mindanao to facilitate the storage and transport of our products to all the other parts of the country and the world,” said Magno.

Magno made the statement during his speech before the guests and participants of the Philippine Building and Construction Exposition and Travel and Leisure Expo (PHILBEX-TLEX) organized at the SMX Lanang Convention Center here on Thursday, May 11.

Magno at the same time expressed enthusiasm as Davao City was chosen to host this year’s PHILBEX and TLEX events.

He said he hoped the organizers, participants, and officers of the big events recognized the huge potential in Davao and Mindanao, which is why they decided to hold the event there.

He said Mindanao boasts top-quality and untouched beaches, waterfalls, caves, mountains, biota, and other tourist attractions that cater to domestic and international visitors. However, the region needs more tourists to appreciate these offerings, he added.

Magno said that the PHILBEX and TLEX present the chance for the government and private sector to collaborate in attracting more tourists and construction projects to Mindanao, as he believes this will positively impact the island’s economy and the livelihoods of its inhabitants.

The OPAMINE official also urged private housing firms to participate in the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino program, a large-scale socialized housing initiative under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Magno cited the Department of Social Housing and Urban Development under Secretary Jerry Acuzar in its aims to construct six million housing units by 2028.

He added that the infusion of funds from domestic and foreign sources is expected to positively impact local industries, particularly in the building, construction, and tourism sectors.

“This injection of capital has the potential to provide a much-needed boost to these industries,” he said.

Magno proposed that the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao serve as a conduit to connect the private sector to the national government to improve coordination and collaboration.

He expressed willingness to hear and address any concerns raised by the private sectors and offer support in bringing those concerns to the Office of the Special Assistant to the President and the Office of the President.

The PHILBEX and TLEX Davao event has attracted 300 exhibitors, who have set up 200 booths to showcase their offerings to the people of Mindanao.

Learn to dance

 Bayanihan’s Sayaw workshop set to start on May 22

BY MANILA BULLETIN

May 12, 2023 09:07 AM

  

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Sayaw Workshop 2023, a two-week intensive dance and music workshop to be presented by PWU C-CAMS in collaboration with the Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation, Inc., is set to begin on May 22.

The workshop is open to children, teens, and adult dance enthusiasts. Workshop participants will learn the dance and music of Bayanihan, the national dance company. For this year’s workshop, a new module for rondalla and music enthusiasts will be introduced.

The workshop is from 9 to 11 a.m. for children; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for teens as well as for adult participants; and 9 a.m, to 12 noon for musicians.

The workshop will run until June 3 with a culminating show at 3 p.m. at the historic Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
“When you dance, you can enjoy the luxury of being you.” This quote from renowned novelist and lyricist Paulo Coelho is an inspiration for dance enthusiasts to have fun and spend summer and schoolbreak learning the performing arts with the world-famous Bayanihan.

Call 09225551534 or 09178714429 or email: bayanihandance@gmail.com. Follow Bayanihan @bayanihannationaldanceco.

How do Southeast Asians like to travel?

Filipinos love the water

BY MANILA BULLETIN

May 12, 2023 09:12 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Beach holiday activities were especially popular for the Philippines, with five in 10 respondents choosing swimming.

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Milieu Insight, Southeast Asia’s leading consumer research firm, conducted a survey among 2,500 working individuals aged 20 to 65 in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia in April 2023 to find out their summer travel plans for this year.

The survey reveals interesting insights on the willingness to travel domestically, concerns for safety, and the number and duration of trips planned for the year. The findings show a positive outlook for the travel industry in the region, with about eight in 10 respondents (76 percent) keen to travel in their own country. Eighty-five percent of respondents across the region plan to embark on at least two domestic trips this year.

Four in 10 respondents in Thailand intend to take four or more trips this year, the highest across the region for domestic travel intent. This suggests that travel companies should consider offering packages and promotions that cater to multiple trips to boost the frequency of travel. Additionally, the duration of travel per trip remains stable across markets, with the majority preferring an average of three to four days per trip. This information is valuable for travel companies when planning their packages and promotions.

Malaysia and Thailand Tourism Offices have done well in the promotion of domestic travel.

Interestingly, the promotion of the destination is less impactful than a recommendation from family/friends in most countries, except Malaysia and Thailand, which means the tourism offices have done well in boosting local tourism.
The survey also revealed that concerns about Covid-19 safety have waned across most of the countries surveyed, with the Philippines showing the highest level of concern, likely due to rising cases in the country as reported by the Department of Health. (4,456) in the last week of April 2023.

Travel spots and sceneries rank highest in key considerations for domestic travel in Indonesia (69 percent), Thailand (66 percent), and Vietnam (58 percent) while the safety of travel (69 percent) tops the list of considerations for respondents from the Philippines.

Of noteworthy mention is that while costs of the whole vacation do have an impact on travel decisions, especially for domestic travelers in Indonesia (61 percent), Malaysia (61 percent), and Thailand (60 percent), the weather of the destination takes precedence, especially for those living in Thailand (62 percent), and Vietnam (55 percent). This could likely be due to concerns about extreme weather events that can happen quite frequently in both countries, reflecting the negative impacts of global warming.

Beach holidays are popular across the region with destinations known for their beautiful beaches ranked first in each country: Boracay in the Philippines, Bali in Indonesia, Da Nang in Vietnam, Sabah in Malaysia, and Phi Phi Island in Thailand
Waterfalls across Thailand were hotspots for domestic travelers, with 24 percent of respondents choosing them as favorite travel destinations.

National carriers (full-service airline) ranked first for the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam: Philippine Airlines (76 percent), Garuda Indonesia (74 percent), and Vietnam Airlines (72 percent), whereas in Malaysia (84 percent) and Thailand (83 percent), low cost carrier AirAsia was the airline of choice likely due to higher price sensitivity for travelers in both the countries, similarly reflected when it came to travel considerations in the above chart.

When planning holiday activities, Southeast Asians proved to be foodies with about five in 10 planning a foodtrip experience while four in 10 respondents from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam were keen to shop locally. Beach holiday activities were especially popular for the Philippines, with five in 10 respondents choosing swimming alongside other beach activities like paragliding or parasailing (13 percent). Sixty-five percent of Thai respondents showed enthusiasm for touring, which was also a popular activity in Malaysia (45 percent), Indonesia (40 percent), and the Philippines (43 percent). Museum visits are especially popular in Vietnam and Malaysia with at least two in 10 inclined to visit a museum while on vacation.
From sightseeing to relaxing holidays, travel planners should consider that Southeast Asian travelers are drawn to activities that offer them opportunities to relax and unwind. With the diverse food culture in different states, the opportunity to eat like a local and discover hidden food gems will definitely be a draw!

Methodology: Based on Milieu Insight surveys with N=500 respondents who are working individuals aged 20-65 each from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, conducted in April 2023.

 

The ’70s come alive in ‘Tugtugan Sitenta’

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

May 11, 2023 06:45 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Imagine what would happen if members of these acts got together and performed their greatest hits for one night in Tugtugan Sitenta at Theater at the Solaire on May 31.

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The Apo Hiking Society, VST & Co., Wadab, Boyfriends, Labuyo, Hagibis, Sampaguita, and the Juan Dela Cruz (JDLC) Band are some of the biggest artists in the golden age of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) in the 1970s.

Imagine what would happen if members of these acts got together and performed their greatest hits for one night in Tugtugan Sitenta at Theater at the Solaire on May 31.

The concert features Jim Paredes and Buboy Garovillo (Apo), Male Rigor and Monet Gaskell (of VST), Nonoy Tan and Rey Magtoto (Wadab), Joey Abando (Boyfriends), Mon Espia (Labuyo), Sampaguita, and Mike Hanopol (JDLC).

Pete Gatela, Carlos Parsons, and Yujin Baydal will represent Hagibis.

“The ’70s were the golden years of OPM, no doubt. The songs were timeless and became classics. All recordings were recorded live. For the first time, OPM outsold foreign songs,” said Wadab’s Tan, who pursued his dream of becoming a professional composer when he left his hometown, Davao, where he had been performing with a band, and landed a job at a record label in Manila.

Tan said forming Wadab, famous for the hit ballad “Pag Tumatagal Lalong Tumitibay,” opened many doors in his career as composer, film scorer, commercial jingle maker, and album producer.

Tickets to Tugtugan Sitenta are available at TicketWorld Outlets (www.ticketworld.com.ph), Solaire Box Office (tel. 8888-8888 loc. 60134), Zonta Club of Makati-Ayala (zontamakatiayala@gmail.com)

Tugtugan Sitenta is presented by Zonta Club of Makati-Ayala, a member of Zonta International, which empowers women through service and advocacy.

Everything Immigration Will Ask You Before You Go: Departure Guide

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Davao City prepares for El Niño

By Ruth Palo

DAVAO CITY: The City Agriculturist Office (Cagro) here has prepared for the impact of the El Niño phenomenon expected to hit the country starting next month.

Cagro head Edgardo Haspe said the city is about 80 percent complete in its pre-active phase activities designed to mitigate the effects of the dry spell brought about by the El Niño.

"We are almost done with it, maybe about 70 to 80 percent of the activities for the pre-active phase have been completed. We will review the activities we have conducted this Friday during our regular meeting with the Execom," Haspe said.

He said within the week, Cagro will be able to identify highly vulnerable areas in the city and then later check the available water sources that could be tapped.

"We will deploy water pumps that we can use for the said areas but if there is no available water source and the area is accessible we can use the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office water tanks," Haspe said.

The city, he said, allocated a budget through its disaster funds for the purchase of water pumps.

Haspe said that they were also able to identify irrigation facilities that need repair.

"The engineering department has been asked to make an estimate for the immediate repair to ensure that these irrigation facilities would work," he said.