Puerto Princesa: Paradise Regained

The Royal Treatment at Puerto Princesa

With safety protocols firmly enforced, Puerto Princesa is poised to again welcome tourists with open arms. In recent years, the highly urbanized city and tourist haven has been paralyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic, then pummeled by Typhoon Odette. But it is now on the road to recovery---as spectacularly as its scenic, romantic and gastronomic attractions.

“The tourism industry is the lifeblood of Puerto Princesa, along with agriculture. Almost 15,000 people directly or indirectly benefit from tourism. In varying degrees, most of the recent construction and development projects are related to tourism: hotel-building, parks, cruise-ship ports, street lights, roads and many more. Unfortunately, some of these have been on hold since the onset of the pandemic,” discloses Demetrio “Toto” Alvior Jr., the city tourism officer.

The Royal Connection

Puerto Princesa, the capital of postcard-perfect Palawan, sprawls across 253,982 hectares of captivating coastlines stretched over 106 kilometers. Due to its strategic geographical location, it has sufficient depth to allow ships of all sizes to anchor, earning a reputation as a “Princess of Ports,” or in Spanish, “Puerto Princesa.”

There’s no contention that Puerto Princesa is one of the country’s greatest pleasures. A holiday destination universally beloved by travelers, beach-combers and trekkers; a bustling business center with a rural allure; a provincial vibe with modern amenities; and a clean and green city recognized for its lush forests, fresh air and frontier character.

Rising Above Covid-19

The city of Puerto Princesa has been struggling to get to its feet since the outbreak of Covid-19 in early 2020. The lack of tourists, which is the main industry, has forced hundreds of tourism-related businesses to close, leaving thousands of tourism workers unemployed.

“The public-health crisis forced them to find alternative sources of income, which was made more difficult because of the restrictions of movement due to several lockdowns,” Mr. Alvior reveals. “One factor of low tourist arrivals is the fluctuating number of Covid cases, which in turn affects the determination of quarantine requirements and national government intervention policies.”

Today, Puerto Princesa is experiencing record lows in terms of economic losses, losing around P5 billion a year for the past two years from potential tourist receipts.

“The City Tourism Department has been strengthening its social media campaigns to encourage local tourists to visit local attractions, in a bid to boost much-needed revenues to the ailing tourism sector,” a cautiously optimistic Mr. Alvior says. “We have one important wish in the City Tourism Department, and that is to prioritize the aids for the Typhoon Odette-affected tourism industry here.”

The goal is to regain the city’s glory as an eco-tourism capital. “Our 2022 goals are full restoration of all the tourist attractions affected by Typhoon Odette such as the completion of the construction of the cruise-ship port and other man-made tourist attractions. There will be wide, extensive and aggressive promotions of Puerto Princesa to the local and international market.”

The Last Frontier

Puerto Princesa has a plethora of tourist spots. But many tourists who visit the city put the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of the New7Wonders of Nature, on top of their list. As the jump-off point for exploring the world-famous Tubbataha Reef, the city also hosts a fair share of adventurers.

“Since the Covid-19 outbreak, we have never ceased to hope that the future will be better. This year 2022 is no different. And while what we want is a full recovery, we cannot afford to be careless when taking big steps. As we begin to truly understand the gravity of the situation, we also come to realize that our moves must be consistent with the bigger picture such as the national situation,” Mr. Alvior says.

Since February 10, the city has been happily welcoming more visitors once again, hoping that the arrival numbers will soon be back to pre-pandemic levels. In this initiative, the tourism department shares the privilege on with the private sector.

“While the government is the administrator of the State, the private sector is the bloodline. The government and the private sector are two inseparable factors for Puerto Princesa to prosper, and more importantly, to recover,” Mr. Alvior says. “The key to recovery is to enable and support the private sector to keep or resume their business operations. When it comes to the city’s biggest partners, apart from government agencies, it is the collective impact of small-business operations.”

Puerto Princesa may be “The Last Frontier,” but the City Tourism Department is confident that it will always be the first choice of every traveler.

Rex Education and PPCRV call for voters to discern well, vote according to our values, and be Maka-Pilipinas

With the National Elections just within reach, Rex Education and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) are working together to help educate voters about the values we should be looking for in the leaders we will elect.

“How the Philippines will come out of this pandemic and handle the impending global economic recession will rely on the next 6 years. This is why it is crucial that the leaders we will elect in the upcoming May 9 elections share the heart of the Filipino people and possess the values to stand for and serve our country. We have to choose well and vote for someone who is truly Maka-Pilipinas,” said Rex Education CEO, Don Timothy Buhain.

The leader we deserve is Maka-Pilipinas

Varying standards, opinions, and principles come into play in the bid for national and local positions. What matters in the end when electing a leader is that it’s not enough to choose someone wise and experienced; we must also choose a leader who embodies the virtues of a true Filipino citizen and champion. PPCRV launched the voter education program that highlights what it takes to be Maka-Pilipinas to emphasize the values that make a true Filipino leader.

To be Maka-Pilipinas is to be maka-Diyos(faithful to God), maka-tao(respects life and people), maka-bayan(patriotic), at maka-kalikasan(environmentally concerned). These are the four good citizenship core values embedded in the 1987 Constitution, which highlights these core values’ roots and importance in our culture and history.

To help Filipinos better understand what makes a leader truly Maka-Pilipinas, PPCRV broke down the four core values—maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-bayan, at maka-kalikasan—into 16 good citizenship values. Does your candidate tick all the boxesof this checklist?

“We believe that through the living and the sharing of these basic values—not only by ourselves, but especially by our candidates—can our national vision of improving moral standards in government and in society be achieved,” PPCRV Chair Myla Villanueva said during the launch of the Maka-Pilipinas voter education program.

A champion of the people is a champion of education

Everyone is part of the solution. As champions of education—as Edukampyons—it is every Filipino’s duty to embody the 16 good citizenship values that we wish to see in our leaders. It is also up to each of us to encourage our fellow Edukampyons to live these values, so they may also know what it means to elect a leader who is truly Maka-Pilipinas.

“Voter’s education starts at home, where values are introduced and cultivated in our families. Under REX’s Edukampyon campaign, we want to give every Filipino learner an opportunity to have a good education, stable well-being, and a future where they can be their best selves. To do that, we must have the support of government leaders who value the same things, after our own heart, and cares just as much for the development of our learners,” Buhain shared further.

To serve as a reminder to choose with discernment and vote responsibly this coming election, PPCRV created a Maka-Pilipinas comics that promote the 16 good citizenship values. A line from the comics read: “Your vote is your hope. Your vote is your prayer. Vote wisely.”

The Maka-Pilipinas comics in English can be read through the PPCRV Facebook page here. Printed copies of the comics were also sponsored by Rex Education and distributed to various schools and communities.

It is also available in various Filipino dialects: Bikolano, Bisaya, Ilokano, Ilonggo, Tagalog, and Taglish.

Keep your family extra cool and germ-free this summer season!

 

The summer season is officially here which can only mean one thing: outdoor family fun for everyone!

The hot weather pushes more families to have more quality time while cooling down—enjoying frozen treats at home, watching movies again at the cinemas, going on beach trips, or simply playing with one another outdoors.

But with the pandemic still not over, it’s going to be double the effort for parents as they keep their families safe not only from intense heat, but also from germs. Fortunately, both of these worries can be eased with the Avon Care Antibacterial Cooling Hand and Body Lotion Gel which is perfect for the hot summer season!

Dermatologically tested and formulated with menthol and eucalyptus, the Avon Care Antibacterial Cooling Hand and Body Lotion Gel instantly soothes and calms the 

skin with long-lasting freshness and cooling sensation against the heat of the season! It also helps to fight 99.9% of disease-causing germs that thrive on the skin, all while retaining moisture with Avon’s Germ Defense + Moisture Lock Technology—leaving the skin moisturized all day long!

Since the lotion gel is lightweight and quick-absorbing, the skin won’t feel greasy or sticky, wherever the season takes you—whether you’re lounging at home, enjoying the beach, visiting the amusement park, spending time at the playground, or exploring the great outdoors!

Get ready to plunge into a hot new season and keep everybody in the family cool and germ-free with 400mL or 250mL available sizes. Shop for the Avon Care Antibacterial Cooling Hand and Body Lotion Gel and more of your favorite Avon products at www.avonshop.ph or contact your local Avon representative.

Check out Avon Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more updates.

Five Simple Tricks to Create Legendary Lashes

 

The eyes are the windows to the soul. While a bold eye shadow will definitely catch anyone’s attention, lashes with visible length and volume will keep them coming back for more!

So if you’re wondering how you can up your allure for the next date night, lock everyone’s attention during presentations, or simply bring the focus on your eyes while wearing a face mask – here are foolproof ways you can create lashes that stand out in terms of both length and volume, no falsies needed.

1.     Curl your lashes first, girl

Some ladies, especially those on-the-go, might skip this step before applying mascara to instantly up their lash game. However, a simple preparation will give you that extra edge.

The secret? Curling your lashes for about ten seconds. This gives it enough time to be bent to a more ideal shape while also respecting how delicate lashes actually are – once is enough! After that, you can apply a lash primer or a clear mascara which helps lengthen the lashes and reduce clumps. Let it stay and dry before applying the regular mascara.

2.     Avoid the clumps

Being at home for a while gave us fewer chances to need lashes with extra oomph. This might have affected the mascara formula, which when applied could result to clumpiness.

Set your mascara back to its original consistency by warming the tube (with the cap tightly secured, of course!) in a glass of hot water for a couple of minutes. When taking out the wand, don’t dip; twirl it instead to evenly distribute the formula onto the brush. Still got some excess? Wipe the brush on a clean tissue before applying it on your lashes for an even spread.

3.     Start at the root and wiggle your way up

For mascara newbies, it might make sense to apply the product right at the tip but that’s actually one of the beauty no-no’s.

Start by wiggling the brush at the base of your lashes, and then start pulling up while maintaining that wiggling motion to keep the lashes separate from each other and create that desired illusion of full lashes. A flick of the wrist upward as you reach the end also extends the curl.

4.     Take time to layer your lashes

Remember: applying mascara to your lashes adds a layer of product to your natural hair follicles. With each layer applied, the more length your lashes will have, so take time to build it up as you go.

Aside from the clear mascara or primer mentioned earlier, a quick and easy way to add layers is by applying translucent powder in between coats of mascara, which will help the product cling to your lashes and make them thicker as you go. You could also mix and match other variants like waterproof mascara to make sure they’re protected from the elements.

5.     When it comes to your lashes - size matters

You’re already making a huge effort to make your lashes stand out, so keep everything on fleek by using Avon’s new and exclusive Legendary Lengths Mascara.

Avon Legendary Lengths Mascara

Extend your lashes up to 50% with 3x the volume thanks to the next generation polymers expertly formulated in the product, applied with the instalength tapered brush, giving you 100% Lash Satisfaction from root to tip that can last all day.

 

“Why choose between length and volume when you can have both?”, says social media sensation Mimiyuuuh, who refuses to settle when it comes to her look and the beauty products that she uses. With the help of Avon Legendary Lengths Mascara, Mimi turns heads with volumized and longer lashes that are just to die for, without having to compromise one for the other.

 

To get your own Legendary Lengths Mascara, contact an Avon Representative near you or visit www.avonshop.ph to purchase.

 

The Invisible Battle: How to Watch Out and Speak Out against Verbal Abuse

Manila, Philippines— 1 out of 4 or 25% of Filipinos, aged 15-49, is revealed to have experienced some form of violence during the ongoing health crisis. This includes verbal abuse, which has become a hidden battle faced by most women on a regular basis.

Verbal abuse can often be confusing not just for the survivors but also for the abusers because it manifests differently—gaslighting, judging, blaming, name-calling, condescension, and verbal threats, among others.

According to the  Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE), verbal abuse often contributes to psychological abuse experienced by women and can be penalized as a violation of RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004.

“Violence in the homes is not ‘away pamilya’ and is everybody’s concern,” says GWAVE Executive Director, Sheema Bajana-Samson. “People should be vigilant and watch out for signs of abuse through what is heard verbally and body language as well.”

GWAVE is one of many non-government organizations and independent agencies that helps rescue survivors by offering legal assistance and rehabilitation.

“We have survivors also accompany their fellow survivors in hearings, and they do home visitations to other survivors as a form of moral support towards each other.” continues Bajana-Samson. “We’re happy to share that we now have a number of survivors who are emotionally and psychologically ready to become advocates themselves.”

In celebration of International Women’s Month, and the advocacy to build a better world for women, Avon sounds the call to #SpeakOut, take a stand and be more self-aware to help others fight verbal and other forms of abuse.

Based on a global study of more than eight thousand women in eight countries, including the Philippines, found that one in five women are consistently subjected to verbal abuse by an intimate partner. Nearly two in five respondents aged 25-34 are experiencing potential signs of verbal abuse within their relationship - the highest amongst the age groups.

Avon Philippines PR and Communications Head, Marion Limlengco wants to encourage more Filipinos to join dialogues and be more aware of this silent battle that has been affecting more women than actually perceived. “Filipinas are very resilient women, but it turns out, there are some of us who are going through such invisible battles and we don’t even know it. That is why we are tapping a platform where we can freely discuss this issue with no holds barred while still centering on positivity and freedom of expression.”

Avid podcast listeners can also look forward to collaborations with popular popcasts such as

·       Adulting with Joyce Pring, (March 25 via Spotify)

·       Camp Confidence Radio Podcast with Ayn Bernos and Rizza Lana-Sebastian, (March 30 via Spotify and YouTube)

·       The Eve's Drop Podcast feat. Delamar Arias, Monica Francesca Tobias, and Gelli Victor with special guest, Ms. Universe 2015 and Avon Intimate Apparel ambassador, Pia Wurtzbach (March 30 via Spotify)

Everyone is also invited to catch Avon’s collaboration with the livestreaming app, Kumu, where viewers can enjoy talks, performances, and fun challenges—all to foster awareness on verbal abuse and raise funds in behalf of Avon’s partner organizations that help abuse survivors. Here’s the full lineup:

·       #SpeakOut Dialogues with Women (March 25 via @kumunityheroes)

·       #Speakout Kumunity Challenge (March 28 to April 3)

·       #SpeakOut Fundraising Livestream (March 30)

·       #SpeakOut Dialogues For All (April 4 via @kumunityheroes)

People are also encouraged to support the cause through our fundraising items like the #SpeakOut Avon True Color Lipstick, Women Empowerment Umbrella, Evita Watch, and Self-love Accessory set available on avonshop.ph where part of the proceeds will be donated to partner organizations including Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE), Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) Foundation, and Luna Legal Resources Center for Women and Children.“Through these fundraising efforts, we hope to spark courage and reinforce a sense of community so that no one could feel alone or neglected in their individual battles. It’s time we shed light on this invisible crisis and we can effectively do that only if and when we #SpeakOut.” concludes Limlengco.

It’s time to redefine a culture where everyone becomes more accountable for the words being said so that no form of abuse—verbal or otherwise—will be tolerated nor pushed against others.

Follow Avon Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more updates on the scheduled dates of all podcasts and Kumu livestreams and join the dialogues against Verbal Abuse. Shop for your favorite Avon products at www.avonshop.ph or contact your local Avon representative.

Filipino girl group KAIA pushes pop music forward with official debut single “BLAH BLAH”

 

The modern banger is produced by global hitmaker Lee Oh Won

KAIA sets their sights on going global with their official debut single “BLAH BLAH”—released under Sony Music.

The upbeat bop is helmed by Lee Oh Won, the producer behind some of the most remarkable tunes by international artists such as Stray Kids, SHINee’s Taemin, TVXQ, and SB19. Exploring a future-forward sound that ties together different elements and styles, “BLAH BLAH” marks the arrival of ShowBT-managed KAIA as a P-Pop newcomer with hitmaking potential.

 

The five-piece group wrote “BLAH BLAH” as a creative unit, deriving from their collective experiences in dealing with romantic love and infatuation, and how it’s not always “as beautiful as what we think.”

“Writing BLAH BLAH is somehow easier considering our chemistry has improved a lot since then,” KAIA’s very own Sophia shares in a statement. “We finally learned how to trust each other on a deeper level, hence the making of a song about love. Aside from this, everyone puts their 100% effort into this official debut. Even when one of us gets stuck in writing, the other four members make sure to help out when needed. That being said, our closeness and dedication made us more comfortable and confident in writing BLAH BLAH.”

The song is accompanied by a music video that provides a stark contrast between the dream world and the reality. With director Angelo Balanon at the helm of the visual narrative, the clip translates the very essence of the song with cosmopolitan, movie-like sheen that is at par with K-Pop and J-Pop music videos.

KAIA’s debut single serves as the first chapter of their journey towards self-discovery. As showcased in the concept trailer that preludes the music video, the multi-talented quintet deals with finding their own voice in an industry that is completely challenging and unfamiliar to them.

For fans of P-Pop who are looking for exciting new sounds, KAIA’s “BLAH BLAH” is definitely your jam: a global-ready tune that blends pop music conventions with sonically interesting ideas and lyrical autonomy.

KAIA’s official debut single “BLAH BLAH” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music. The song release is part of Sony Music Entertainment’s  "Angat, P-Pop!" initiative for the month of April - which aims to put a spotlight on this new generation of Pinoy Pop hits by up-and-coming groups from the label's roster and beyond.

 

 

ABOUT KAIA

KAIA is an upcoming 5-member girl group from ShowBT PH, the same company that launched P-POP Kings SB19. The members consist of Sophia, Angela, Charice, Charlotte, and Alexa. The name KAIA is inspired by two tagalog words: First is Kinaiya, which is a tagalog noun that describes your inner character. These aren’t just your good traits, but all the traits and characteristics that make you who you are. The second word is Kaya, which is a generic tagalog term Filipinos use in their everyday lives, mainly to overcome their struggles. “Kaya mo paba?” “Kakayanin.”

KAIA is a word that sounds feminine, but means powerful. Accepting who you are, and using it as a strength to overcome your goals despite what may be thrown at you. This is what the group represents now that they have finally debuted.