‘Respect’: Tips on how to become a more responsible traveler this Holy Week 2023

 

By

 Catalina Ricci S. Madarang

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In this photo: Mines View Park in Baguio City (Philstar.com/Frisno Boström)

Respect for the local communities and support for their products are encouraged by tourism authorities in the Cordillera region.

The Cordillera region comprises the following provinces:

• Abra
• Apayao
• Benguet
• Ifugao
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province

Popular tourist destinations are found in Baguio City, Sagada, La Trinidad and Banaue. 

The Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region Office (DOT-CAR) issued tips to travelers who wish to visit these Northern provinces during the long weekend.

They are uploaded on the government agency’s Facebook account. 

“Here are some tips and reminders on how to become a more responsible traveler starting with respecting local communities,” the post reads.

1. Respect the local community.
2. Connect with the locals.
3. Be nice. Not everyone is trying to rip you off.
4. Stay, eat and buy local products.
5. Choose organized tours well.
6. Give back to the local community by volunteering in non-profit organizations in the area.
7. Engage in ethical photography.
8. Choose to explore lesser-known places in a province.
9. Travel off-season.
10. Practice slow travel.

Baguio Chronicle, a provincial publication, also reported about the Sagada municipal government’s reminders to guests who will be traveling there this Holy Week.

Called the “Ten Commandments,” Sagada reminded inbound tourists about its online registration platform for entry.

They also have to pay an environment fee worth P100 per person at the tourism information office before exploring some of the province’s tourist spots.

Sagada’s registration platform can be accessed here Umali Kayo Tourist Registration Sagada – Umali Kayo.

It also reminded future guests about cleanliness in the surroundings, respecting rituals and other basic tourism etiquettes.

For the end of Lent, the following days are declared holidays:

• April 6 (Maundy Thursday) – regular holiday
• April 7 (Good Friday) – regular holiday
• April 8 (Black Saturday) – special non-working holiday

Easter Sunday and the Day of Valor both land on April 9.

The government moved the observance of the latter to Monday, April 10, thus declaring it as a non-working holiday.

When bad things happen

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

WE should be ready when bad things happen in our life. In fact, we should expect the worst in life, like when death, which cannot be solved anymore, would finally come to us. Before death, we should be ready when cases of severe misfortune or harsh crisis of some kind come our way.

We are somehow reminded of this need for readiness in the gospel reading of Wednesday of Holy Week. (cfr. Mt 26,14-25) There Christ was talking about his impending betrayal by no less than one of his apostles and did not run away from it since he knew it was his time to consummate his redemptive mission.

We should try our best to have the mind of Christ when bad things happen to us.  If we still can have time and find some solutions to these problems and difficulties, then by all means, let’s do it. But if there is no more time or that solutions are hard to find or, worse, when no more solutions can be found, let’s see to it that we do not fail to go through these situations always with Christ.

Of course, when times are good, we should always enjoy them with Christ too. Otherwise, those good things can easily turn bad for us. In fact, there should be no time, no circumstance, no situation in our life when we can distance ourselves from Christ.

We therefore need to develop a certain discipline where Christ should always be in our mind and heart whatever the circumstance or situation is. We cannot deny that we tend to forget Christ in certain situations and prefer to deal with them simply with our own human powers. Obviously, we have to make full use of our human powers and faculties, but we should never fail to depend on God, on Christ, first of all!

We should always go to Christ who is “the way, the truth and the life” since he surely is the one who will show us how to handle the difficulties we encounter in life. In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God, to Christ, to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even if our prayers and petitions appears unanswered, if not, contradicted.

This should be the attitude to have. It’s an attitude that can only indicate our unconditional faith and love for God who is always in control of things, and at the same time can also leave us in peace and joy even at the worst of the possibilities.

Remember the Book of Ecclesiastes where it says that for everything there is a season, “a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal…” But everything is under God’s control, and even if we are capable of eternity, we just the same “cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (3,1ff) We just have to trust him.

We have to follow the example of the many characters in the gospel who, feeling helpless in the many predicaments they were in, earnestly rushed to Christ for some succor. They went to him unafraid and unashamed and they got what they wanted.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Oriental Mindoro under yellow power warning

 

By Ire Joe Laurente

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro: Amid the declaration of a state of calamity due to a power crisis in Occidental Mindoro, the power supply situation in Oriental Mindoro is also not improving as the local electric cooperative had issued a yellow warning on Monday, April 3.

In a post on its social media page on Monday, the Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Ormeco) said that because of the low production of renewable sources, the hydroelectric plants and the windmill farm, the power distributor is now experiencing a deficiency of 3.05 megawatts (MW) from a demand of 61.02 MW, and with a capacity of only 56.42 MW and a curtailed feeder of 4.6 MW.

In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Engr. Humphrey Dolor, Ormeco general manager, clarified that the deficit posted on their page is only a forecast, and that as of now, the situation is still manageable.

"As of now, we still have a 9.25-MW reserve capacity, but we are not using it in anticipation of the increased demand in the coming months. We also temporarily halted our exportation to Omeco (Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative) because we are guarding our demand," Dolor said.

He said the yellow warning was raised because the power deficit is around 10 percent from the projected demand.

The general manager also said that the possibility of a rate increase is highly probable as the cooperative is going to use its emergency power, which is not subsidized. He added that the projected increase is within the range set by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

In a power dispatch report forwarded to The Manila Times, Dolor said that as of April 4, 2023, the cooperative has a total available capacity of 63.46 MW with an actual load of 54.21 MW and a reserve of 9.25 MW.

"We are anticipating low production from the Linao-Cawayan Mini-hydroelectric Plants [and] the Inabasan Mini-hydrolectric Plant due to the dry season and low production from the Phesi (Philippines Hybrid Energy Systems Inc.) Wind Mill Power farm because of the weakening wind blows," Dolor said.

He said Ormeco is scheduled to have a dialogue with Sen. Rafael "Raffy" Tulfo to discuss the situation in Occidental Mindoro and how the power company can provide assistance.

29 candidates vie for Miss PH-Earth 2023

Twenty-nine candidates of Miss Philippines-Earth bring to awareness the essence of trees in this year’s theme ‘MELoves20Three.’ PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

TWENTY-NINE ladies from different backgrounds and from all over the archipelago are vying for the Miss Philippines-Earth (MPE) crown this year.

They were presented to the media at the new Lime Resort Manila on Monday.

Now in its 23rd year, and after carrying themes of flora and fauna in past editions, MPE brings to awareness the essence of trees "in playing a powerful role in addressing the biggest environmental issue planet Earth faces today."

It is aptly titled "MELoves20Tree." Carousel Productions, the homegrown organization behind the pageant, began its introduction of delegates in March through the hybrid platform of virtual and face-to-face events, which is the new norm of pageantry in the post-pandemic era.

The official candidates are: Patricia Nicole Yap of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur; Meri Lasil Relevo of Balayan, Batangas; Veronica Sinajon of Brooke's Point, Palawan; Nicole Lagera of Filipino Community California, USA; Chrystel Mae Correjos of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur; Leahrly Curitana of Casiguran, Aurora; Naoimi Henave of Dasmariñas City; KC Falcasantos of Dipolog City; Josephine Ruhlman of Filipino Community Florida, USA; Ma. Cristina Tallador of Iloilo City; Jireh Calacala of Jones, Isabela; Rowan No of Kalibo, Aklan; Mythosela Villanueva of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental; Iris Mabanta of Mabini,

Batangas; Kerri Reilly of Mangatarem, Pangasinan; Joselle Gregorio of Mariveles, Bataan; Sha'uri Livori of Filipino Community Melbourne, Australia; Quennie Salac of Filipino Community Milan, Italy; Athena Guardados of Pantukan, Davao de Oro; Jemimah Joy Zabala of Puerto Princesa City; Princess Lazaga of San Jose City; Jeica Czaverika of San Pascual, Batangas; Shaina Nazario of Silang, Cavite; Ylanna Marie Aduana of Siniloan, Laguna; Cea De Jesus of Taguig City; Athena Auxillo of Toledo City; Jamie Angelique Armada of Tuburan, Cebu; Queenzel Daryl Alagao of Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay; and Fermizulli Silal of Zamboanga City. The media presentation was hosted by Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel, Miss Earth 2022 Mina Sue Choi and Miss Philippines-Earth 2022 Jenny Ramp.

Pageant enthusiasts and candidate supporters can access more event updates on the MPE website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok. Coronation night is on April 29.

Tsunami warning after Catanduanes tremor cancelled

By Arlie O. Calalo

April 5, 2023 

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has cancelled its tsunami advisory following Tuesday night's magnitude 6.2 earthquake that hit Catanduanes in Bicol Region. Phivolcs had it initially at magnitude 6.6.

Phivolcs chief Teresito "Tito" Bacolcol said the warning was cancelled based on data from the agency's sea level monitoring stations facing the epicentral area which showed that "no significant" sea level disturbances had been recorded since the earthquake struck the town of Gigmoto at 8:54 p.m.

"With this, any effects due to minor sea level disturbances have largely passed and therefore Phivolcs has now cancelled its recommendation issued for this event," Bacolcol said.

Located 150 kilometers northeast of the provincial town, the earthquake had a depth of 72kms and was tectonic in origin, according to Phivolcs.

Nearly two hours later, Phivolcs said an aftershock with magnitude 4.9 was recorded in the same town.

Intensity 4 was felt by residents in Virac, Catanduanes; Intensity 3 in Prieto Diaz and City of Sorsogon, Sorsogon; San Policarpo, Eastern Samar; Allen, Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Laoang, Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose and San Roque, Northern Samar; Calbiga and City of Catbalogan, Samar;

Intensity 2 in Malinao and City of Tabaco, Albay; Borongan City, Eastern Samar; Babatngon, Dagami, Dulag, Palo, Santa Fe and Tanauan, Leyet; Tacloban City; and San Antonio, Northern Samar; and Intensity 1 in Alangalang, City of Baybay and Tabontabon, Leyte.

Meanwhile, Instrumental Intensity 2 was recorded in Legazpi City, Albay; Daet, Camarines Norte; Sipocot, Iriga City and Pili, Camarines Sur; Kananga, Dulag and Abuyog, Leyte; San Roque, Northern Samar; Bulusan and Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon; and

Intensity 1 in Ragay and Pasacao, Camarines Sur; Quinapondan, Eastern Samar; Palo and Alangalang, Leyte; Monreal and Uson, Masbate; Gumaca, Polillo, Mauban and

Guinayangan, Quezon; and Donsol, Sorsogon.

Honda Cars PH now under new leadership

Rie Miyake now leads Honda Cars Philippines Inc. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

HONDA Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) is now under the helm of Rie Miyake, succeeding Masahiko Nakamura who just completed his tour of duty in the country. Nakamura-san will assume a new post in Honda Cars Korea effective April 1, 2023.

Prior to her assignment in the Philippines, Miyake held different management posts at Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Headquarters in Japan and handled overseas markets such as North and South American countries. Through the years, she gained expertise in automobile sales, parts export, logistics, and business planning operations. Most recently, she was in charge of the Export Planning Department of Honda's global automobile business.

Miyake will be key to the expansion of Honda's business, particularly in steering the company toward carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities. One of Honda's corporate long–term goals is to achieve 100–percent electrification of its automobiles by 2040.

"As we embark on this fresh journey, I want to assure you — the times may have changed so much, but Honda's commitment as the power of dreams has only grown through the years. Please watch out for new technologies to be launched very soon, including HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) that doesn't just have a hybrid emblem, it truly delivers. We will also continue to improve our sales and after–sales operations to give our customers more joy throughout their vehicle ownership," said Miyake.

The ceremony also gave the outgoing president the opportunity to show his gratitude for the support he received. Nakamura also expressed his confidence that Miyake's leadership will further drive the company to achieve higher levels of growth and success.

"Thank you very much for your continued support of HCPI. The past three years have been challenging, but we also learned so many things. What I will remember more is how we all worked together and came out better than before. I am thankful for the dedication of Honda associates and our business partners. We will continue to improve keeping in mind our purpose," Nakamura, for his part, said.

7,030 personnel tapped to secure Holy Week in Davao region

 

PROVINCIALNEWSMINDANAO

BY ANTONIO COLINA IV

Apr 3, 2023 9:32 PM

  

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DAVAO CITY – A total of 7,030 security personnel will be deployed in the Davao region to ensure the safety of the people during Holy Week.

Major Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao (Region 11), said on Monday, April 3, they are composed of 3,700 police officers, 330 augmented personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection and Armed Forces of the Philippines, and 3,000 force multipliers from the advocacy group of the PRO-Davao.

They would be deployed to 304 places of worship, 140 thoroughfares, 70 transportation hubs, 165 commercial areas, and 292 places of convergence.

Police Brig. Gen. Alden B. Delvo, PRO-11 chief, said they would do their best to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of the Holy Week.

He reminded passengers to come to transportation terminals early and avoid wearing expensive pieces of jewelry.

Police Major Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said police here are ready to secure churches as early as Palm Sunday as the security sector anticipates droves of devotees who will attend Mass.

She said people should expect stricter enforcement of security measures during Holy Week processions and other activities that would draw huge crowds in churches here.

“The churches are coordinating with their respective police stations to prepare deployment of security personnel,” she said.
Aside from churches, she said police are also implementing strict security measures in terminals, tourist spots, and even malls.

BI places personnel at NAIA, other int'l airports under heightened alert for Holy Week

BY JUN RAMIREZ

  

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has placed its personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and in other international ports under heightened alert status in anticipation of a large influx of passengers during the Lenten break.

“We are bracing for a surge in the volume of passenger who are expected to travel in and out of the country during the Holy Week, thus we have to alert our border control officers for any eventuality that may arise during this period,” said BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

The BI chief said they also fielded more than a hundred additional immigration officers to the NAIA to augment the number of manpower manning the immigration booths in the arrival and departure areas.

“This will ensure that our services to the traveling public are not interrupted even if there is a sharp increase in passenger volume," he added.

Tansingco said he  instructed the bureau’s terminal heads in the airports to implement stricter measures in screening passengers and deter any attempts by human trafficking syndicates to take advantage of the occasion in spiriting their victims out of the country.

BI port personnel were also ordered to be vigilant in screening arriving foreigners to make sure that no unwanted aliens are able to slip into the country.

The BI’s electronic gates are fully operational at the NAIA which allows digital processing of arrivals for as fast as eight seconds per passenger.

The BI foresees a far bigger number of travelers who will enter and exit the country during this year’s Lenten break in light of the country’s reopening of its borders after the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Statistics show that passenger arrivals at airports now averages between 30,000 to 32,000 daily, compared to only 6,000 last year.

The number is expected to increase to around 40,000 during on Maundy Thursday onwards.

How to rebook flights amid Cebu Pacific ‘super pass’ glitch

By

 Catalina Ricci S. Madarang

 

(image from https://www.cebupacificair.com)

Redeemed flights from a promotional sale of a budget airline are not refundable, but they can be rebooked.

This rule was stated in the guidelines of Cebu Pacific Air‘s “Super Pass” sale that was the subject of complaints from travelers last weekend.

Cebu Pacific on March 31 rolled out its CEB Super Pass, a massive voucher sale of discounted ticket prices, ahead of the Holy Week season. 

The vouchers are supposedly offered on that day only from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Redemption Period: Mar 31, 2023 – Apr 23, 2024, travel period: Apr 7, 2023 – Apr 30, 2024,” the post reads. 

Right after it rolled out, however, the airline received numerous complaints from travelers on its social media accounts.

Complaints include glitches experienced on Cebu Pacific’s booking platform, additional charges and no confirmations about the vouchers they purchased.

CEB’s policies on rebooking/refunding

The CEB Super Pass is a single-use voucher that offers travelers to choose and redeem flights for only a P99 base fare.

On its FAQs page, it was stated that additional fees will still depend on the “destination such as but not limited to, taxes, surcharges, and airport fees all of which will be collected upon redemption.”

The vouchers are also neither refundable nor transferable once travelers redeemed them with their flights.

“Flights redeemed using CEB Super Pass are non-reroutable, non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be converted to a travel fund,” the website said.

Instead, passengers who used the pass for their flights are given the option to rebook.

“Flight changes can be made up to two hours before the scheduled time of departure, subject to availability and fare difference if any, and all other applicable fees,” Cebu Pacific said.

Passengers will also be given rebooking options in case of flight cancelations.

“In the event of flight delays, schedule changes, or flight disruptions, you will be provided options based on the existing flight disruption policy of the airline,” the guidelines read.

CEB Super Pass vouchers can also be forfeited from the passenger.

Here are the following conditions for voucher forfeiture:

• Failure to redeem the CEB Super Mass within the specified redemption or travel period
• Missed the scheduled flight

For rebooking flights that are not canceled by the airline, here are the following steps to make booking changes:

1. Log in to your account at https://bit.ly/MyCebuPacificMB.
2. Search for the specific flight under “My Bookings” then click the “Manage” button.
3. Choose “Change Flight” to select new travel dates, then follow the succeeding instructions to complete your rebooking.

Response to complaints

Following the slew of complaints, at 8 p.m. on March 31, the management of Cebu Pacific issued an apology to its passengers.

It assured those who have purchased the vouchers that they will work on addressing the glitches and other concerns they have received.

“PASSensya! We are sorry for any inconvenience you may have experienced while booking with us today, and we truly appreciate your continued patronage. Once volume normalizes in the next 24 hours, we will be happy to assist you with your concerns through m.me/cebupacificair ,” Cebu Pacific wrote.

In the meantime, the local carrier asked travelers for patience and understanding while waiting for their confirmation emails.

“Guests with vouchers on hold will be sent their confirmation emails within the next 24 hours. We hope for your patience and understanding, and rest assured our teams are working hard to resolve customer concerns,” the carrier said.

13 tips to remember when life gets rough

Think of every ordeal as an educational experience

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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1. What it is.

Suffering only occurs when we resist. If you can affect an aspect, take action. You must accept and let go when the situation is certainly beyond your control.

2. It’s only a problem if you think it’s a problem.

At times, we are our own worst enemy. Instead of breeding negative thoughts and emotions, think of every ordeal as an educational experience.

3. Start within yourself.

Your inner being reflects your outer world. We initially need to transform ourselves first to change our circumstances.

4. There are no failures, only learning opportunities.

Achievers have “failed” over and over. But instead of considering these as letdowns, they did better next time around.

5. Better opportunities are coming

In hindsight, you will be able to see why some prospects did not work out.

6. Appreciate the present.

Every moment is precious and will never come again. Even those that didn’t seem particularly happy can be looked upon as a nostalgic memory someday.

7. Let go of desire.

Most covet a goal when they don’t get it. Their emotions plummet into negativity. Practice a “detached mind”: When you have an aim, be happy whether you achieve it or not.

8. Understand and be grateful for your fears.

Fear can be a great teacher. Overcoming them just needs practice. It can likewise make you feel victorious.

9. Allow yourself to experience joy

Some are too immersed in their problems that they would not even know who they are without them. Allow yourself to be happy, even for a brief moment. Focus on your joy, not your hardships.

10. Do not compare yourself to others.

Be grateful for what you have instead.

11. You are not a victim.

You are the creator of your own experience. You can get out of your hard times. Start with your own thoughts and actions.

12. Things can and do change.

When stuck in a bad situation, we think there is no way out. You need to take action to achieve results. “And this too shall pass.”

13. All is possible.

Miracles happen every day. You just need to believe they do. Once you do, you have already won the battle.