PHITEX chooses Panglao Bohol as its first official venue for tourism market stakeholders

The last time I went to Bohol was 2 years ago. We stayed in one of the best resorts in Panglao. 

Panglao is the most popular spot in Bohol. It remains a beautiful beach getaway, with lots of exploring to do. You can snorkel,  cliff dive in Alexis Cliff Dive Resort if you are that adventurous, or simply watch the sunset together with your loved ones. I am itching to go and book a flight for a next year summer adventure with the kids. I am praying for a vaccine soon.

I'm glad that PHITEX chooses Panglao Bohol to be its first official venue for the virtual networking with international buyers.

With the theme “PHITEX Pivots: Business UNusual”, what makes this year’s
PHITEX even more exciting is the hybrid aspect in which Philippine sellers will get a first-hand experience of travel in the new normal as the island of Panglao in Bohol will be its official venue, where strict safety protocols are implemented to ensure participants’ well-being.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines invites foreign buyers and
Philippine sellers to the virtual edition of the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) on 22 to 24 September 2020 via www.phitex.ph.

PHITEX, the country’s biggest government-organized travel trade event, hosts
qualified buyers from all over the world to participate in an online tabletop business appointment with Philippine sellers and experience Philippine tourism destinations through virtual tours with an end-goal of increasing tourist arrivals in the country.

Over the years, PHITEX has become a major annual marketing event that further strengthens the country’s brand image and encourages participants to promote affordable and competitive tourism packages.

“We are taking this opportunity to harness the digital platform to explore newopportunities and markets for PHITEX,” states TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones. “We are confident that as we reach out to tourism market stakeholders from all over the world with the latest Philippine tourism offerings, we will be able to gradually reopen our country for visitors and spur the recovery of the industry.”

Here are the key features of this year’s virtual PHITEX:

1. Set up B2B appointments. PHITEX features a virtualization of TRAVEX,
which allows Philippine sellers and foreign buyers to set or attend pre-
arrange appointments. Network effectively and close the deal, without
leaving your home office!

2. Tourism in the New Normal. Keep abreast of the latest on travel trade in
the context of the global new normal through a series of webinars, interview
sessions and roundtable discussions with key industry players.

3. Take a virtual tour of Manila. Experience the Philippines’ Capital City in a
specially curated virtual tour showcasing the unique fusion of old world and
new culture.

4. Test your mettle. Win prizes in Philippines 360, a series of online games and
quizzes that deal with Philippine culture and the arts, as well as topics discussed
in PHITEX sessions.

5. Press play. Review event highlights or enrich the experience with the Videos on Demand, an online gallery of content such as tourism marketing videos, highlights of past TPB events, links to film tourism with English subtitles, cooking videos, travel videos and more.

6. Revisit Bohol. On 25-27 September, PHITEX sellers get a memorable immersion as they experience Bohol in the new normal through post-tour of heritage and ecotourism sites across its countryside.

7. Experience the Philippines. Approved foreign buyers get a first-hand taste of
Philippine sights, food, culture and heritage with PHITEX post-tours in hand-
picked destinations across the country. Lined up among the options are: Baguio,
Bicol, Boracay, El Nido, Coron, Bohol, and Banaue/ Sagada.

Registration is free of charge. Interested buyers and sellers may register via
www.phitex.ph where qualified participants will receive an access code to the event.

DOT-accredited suppliers of Philippine tourism products and services as well as TPB members are given registration priority.

Protect yourself from top critical illnesses such as cancer, stroke and heart attack that one can catch at any age

When we are young, we feel invincible and insusceptible to getting sick. Often, it is during our youth when we pick up most of our bad habits on health—the poor diet, the lack of exercise—turning a blind eye on the fact that these habits will come back in the future to haunt us in the form of diseases. Medical expenses are the last things in our minds, too. We put off getting health insurance, thinking it is expensive and such a hassle to buy.

But today, we are faced with many health risks. Aside from the ongoing global pandemic, the risk of other deadly diseases such as cancer and heart attack is still very much prevalent. According to the Department of Health, 16 people are diagnosed with cancer every hour and 236 die of cancer every day, while 276 die of heart disease and 240 die of stroke every day. These are diseases that one can also catch at any age—even in youth!

To help Filipinos protect themselves against serious illnesses and diseases in an affordable and convenient way, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, introduces a new health insurance product providing value-for-money coverage for the top three critical illnesses which are cancer, heart attack, and stroke, and is fully available online to boot: Health Start Lite.

Health Start Lite can be easily and conveniently purchased online at home, from application to payment and policy issuance via www.axa.com.ph/healthstartlite. To guide customers through the application, AXA will also provide a live chat function for immediate inquiries soon.

"Everyone's focus is understandably fighting COVID-19, but we should not forget about protecting ourselves against the top critical illnesses,” says Rahul Hora, AXA Philippines president and chief executive officer.” By making Health Start Lite fully available online, we are able to reach out to many Filipinos, giving them access to critical illness protection without the need for a face-to-face interaction or the need to leave the house.”

This new product is an affordable solution to help Filipinos get coverage against these health risks—at a price that’s cheaper than their daily dose of designer coffee. Health Start Lite is available for a minimum monthly payment of as low as P535 and with up to one million pesos coverage for the top three critical illnesses. Moreover, it also provides a benefit for nine minor conditions and is renewable up to age 75.

What’s more, Health Start Lite comes with life insurance coverage to benefit the customer’s loved ones. Payments can be done via credit card and can be charged monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually. 

With AXA’s Health Start Lite, you can easily prioritize your health from home at an affordable price. To know more about the product or to get a quote, visit www.axa.com.ph/healthstartlite. 

Canva for Education announces an exclusive Care Bears collection to empower teachers with resources to nurture students

Global online design platform Canva, in partnership with The Care Bears brand owner Cloudco Entertainment, announces the immediate release of a collection of Care Bears templates exclusively for its Canva for Education community; a collection which further encourages and inspires creativity and connection in the classroom - in both a virtual and physical environment.

Online classes will be the major learning delivery method for the majority of academic institutions across the Philippines. With the traditional face-to-face setup pinned to the side, Filipino educators are adapting to new ways of teaching, rethinking how to provide students with meaningful social-emotional learning tools, as well as ways to keep students engaged.

The Care Bears collection, exclusive to the Canva for Education community, includes:

●      Educational worksheets to enhance engagement in the classroom and reach key learning goals;

●      Creative and fun ice-breaker activities;

●      Wellness activities focusing on social-emotional development; plus

●      Care Bears Classroom kits, providing teachers with a touch of magic to bring any classroom to life.

Carly Daff, Canva for Education’s Director of Product, said collaborating with such a global and nostalgic brand was a coup for the organization’s core education audience, because the Care Bear characters and what they stand for perfectly aligns with Canva’s values.

“So far, 2020 is fast becoming one of the most unsettling years for humanity. Now more than ever, we need to take a proactive stance to ensure our kids are being taught how to recognize and express their emotions, manage stress, as well as learn how to care for themselves and have compassion for others,” explained Daff.

“The loveable Care Bears characters empower teachers to help students address their social and emotional development with characters we all know and love. This all-new collection contains vital resources that can be used in a physical or virtual setting, perfect for encouraging connection and creativity in the classroom,”she further stated.

Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, a registered psychologist with a focus in working with children and families, as well as an ambassador for the Care Bears and Canva for Education partnership, explains the importance of social-emotional learning in schools today.

“Social-emotional learning provides educators with an “open portal” to the heart and mind of a child,” said Dr. Lapointe. “This in turn, gives us the ability to shape the growing brain from within in a more meaningful and effective way; it’s an approach that goes a long way towards helping kids become more available to learning. The Care Bears templates are a fun and engaging way to kick off a meaningful conversation with students - it helps break the ice and can be used again and again to check in with them and gain a better understanding of their current state of mind,” furthered Dr. Lapointe.

“As we continue to prepare for this year’s balik eskwela, we at Canva are excited to share the Care Bear collection to Filipino educators who use Canva for Education in their classes. We hope to spread positivity to young learners, and instill the importance of being in-touch with their emotions and feelings, while also understanding the value of caring for others through a fun learning experience,” said Yani Hornilla-Donato, Canva Philippines Country Head.

Kristeen Tibbits, Care Bears’ Head of Marketing, added, “Our desire for positivity fuels today’s focus on personal growth and evolution. We’re craving sunshine and rainbows - even when we’re feeling blue. That’s what the The Care Bears offer. We couldn’t be more excited to bring these messages to children and their education just when they need it most,” concluded Tibbits.

All of these are available for free for the Canva for Education community - https://canva.me/carebear. Register for your free account at: www.canva.com/education. 

TikTok creators will be encouraged to unleash their inner fashionista through a series of #hashtags, including #TikTokFashionMonth, #GetTheLook and #Fashion101

TikTok, the leading destination for short-form video, is currently delighting fashionistas and creators alike with its #TikTokFashionMonth campaign. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@emsonmallari/video/6871408776138788097

Reflecting TikTok’s reputation as the place for creativity and joy, fashion and design takes centre stage with a series of hashtags to inspire the Philippines’ own growing TikTok community to join in the fabulous fun.

#Fashion101 will see TikTok users expressing themselves through necessary basics, everyday essentials and colour blocking, and #GetTheLook will encourage users to recreate a fashion look they’ve fallen in love with.

Fashion101: https://www.tiktok.com/@graceydohm/video/6864970101066665222

GetTheLook: https://www.tiktok.com/@trendycurvy/video/6852009412182265094

From now until October 8, the TikTok community, fashion brands, creators and celebrities will come to TikTok to strut their stylish stuff through these hashtags, LIVE streams and exciting new creative effects. 

The stylish campaign was inspired by the way fashion brands have had to quickly pivot to discover new ways to connect with their customers, as many continue to limit their social engagements and quarantine at home during the global pandemic.

"We've seen the fashion industry reinvent what luxury fashion means to culture and society through TikTok by bringing fashion into the homes of our community during quarantine. With the launch of our TikTok Fashion Month, this is just another way for our brand partners to leverage the platform's authentic and community-driven approach to showcase their art, creativity and personalities in a unique and truly TikTok way,” says CeCe Vu, Fashion Content Partnerships Lead at TikTok. “We're so thrilled to be able to offer an inclusive and immersive virtual fashion month experience for our community and are excited to see how they engage with each piece of live programming, hashtag challenge and creative effect."

#TikTokFashionMonth has already live streamed runway shows featuring luxury brands Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent. Upcoming shows are ‘Get The Look’ with Ariam (October 18) and JW Anderson Collection Reveal (October 28).  

“It's always been important for JW Anderson to work with new technologies and platforms. I think TikTok is challenging norms and innovating in the way JW Anderson does,” says Jonathan Anderson, Founder and Creative Director at JW Anderson. “I am very excited to be working directly with TikTok this season to show our Women's SS21 collection on the platform.”

The final night party on October 8 will wrap up #TikTokFashionMonth in true style as New York TikTok creator Nick Tangorra hosts TikTok Runway Odyssey. The exclusive, first-of-its-kind virtual fashion runway LIVE stream is in partnership with PUMA and fashion partnership Alice & Olivia who co-designed their exclusive capsule collection with TikTok. The TikTok community will also be the first to shop their collection, along with other designer’s capsule collections.

PUMA has also partnered with Black TikTok creators and designers for their exclusive collection which will debut during the live stream including Jufu, Ajani, Dominic Toliver, Taylor Cassidy, and Makayla. $10K in proceeds from the sales will go directly to the  Equal Justice Initiative.

Further emphasising their commitment to inclusivity and community, TikTok has invited well-known TikTok creators, such as Melaine and Miranda Wilking, Janette Ok, and Bria Jone to take to the runway to model exciting and diverse looks from the collections.

PLDT Home introduces all-new Home Wifi Prepaid FamLoads for your kids online learning

PLDT Home introduces all-new Home Wifi Prepaid FamLoads so families can be connected and ready for online learning. Students can confidently face the challenges and demands of the new school term with FamLoad Study packages that have bigger data allowances for online classes and access to top learning sites and apps. 

As this year’s back-to-school signals the start of the distance learning curriculum, many students need strong internet connection for their home-school set up. To assure that young learners can continue to stay connected for their online home-schooling, PLDT Home Wifi brings two new data packages, FamLoad Study 599 and FamLoad Study 999 that are tailor-fitted to the students’ e-learning needs.

With the new FamLoad Study, parents can have peace of mind that the Internet will not detach their children’s attention from their studies because each package is packed with dedicated access to learning sites and apps. For those who want to get value for their money, the FamLoad Study 599 offers 3GB data every day for 15 days that can be used to access top learning sites and apps including Microsoft 365 tools, Gabay Guro App, Canvas, and NEO. These modern learning platforms are being used by local and international schools and give students and teachers an advanced online learning experience. The FamLoad Study 599 also provides 12GB open access data for other online activities such as chatting with classmates, consulting with teachers, and researching and brainstorming for projects. 

Meanwhile, the FamLoad Study 999 is perfect for those who need bigger data for heavy-data online activities such as video classes and conference calls, and the convenience of having enough data that can be used for up to one month. It offers 90GB data or 3GB everyday good for 30 days that students can use to access their online learning platforms. FamLoad Study 999 also has 24GB open access that can be used for other study needs such as emails, social media, online research, messaging apps, and more. 

As the Philippines’ leading broadband and digital services provider, PLDT Home has always been committed to improving the lives of families as they adapt e-learning at home in the new normal. PLDT Home makes sure to provide innovations and solutions so that families are digitally-equipped and students can be productive to fulfill their school tasks and assignments at home. 

PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid units is an affordable and easy-to-use plug and play internet device that’s perfect for sharing with family. Powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest wireless internet, PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid allows users to enjoy lag-free and no-freeze videos in their online classes and kids can submit their school assignments in real time. For only P995, customers can already enjoy their own unit that comes with FREE 10GB of data valid for seven days. They can opt to reload with other FamLoad packages such as FamLoad Video 199 with 19GB and Video Plus 199 with 28GB valid for seven days, FamLoad Video 599 with 55GB and FamLoad Video Plus 599 with 60GB valid for 15 days, FamLoad Video 999 with 100GB data and FamLoad Video Plus 999 with 120GB data for 30 days, and FamLoad Video 1499 with 130GB and FamLoad Video Plus 1499 with 180GB valid for 30 days.

PLDT Home Wifi Prepaid is available in PLDT Home’s official online stores in Lazada, GrabMart, and at their official website www.pldthome.com/homewifi. Topping up the units is also easy via PayMaya, myPLDT Smart app, GrabPay or through PLDT Home and Smart’s retailers nationwide, and soon via Lazada. 

New Puregold entertainment channel premieres on September 19

Challenging and trying as the times may be, it is probably in our nature to try and find something that might give us that much needed lift in spirits. Whether it's busying ourselves with new-found hobbies, reconnecting with friends, or simply binge-watching movies, it's all about finding that pleasant diversion that reassures us that better days will come soon.

Puregold recognizes this hopeful spirit as it continues to look after every Filipino's welfare amidst these uncertain times. As online consumption grows brought about by the "stay home" lifestyle, Puregold has contemplated venturing in this space to further reach out to its public. But this time, it sets out beyond being a retailer as we know it to be and explores the world of bringing entertainment to Filipinos.

Enter the Puregold Channel. A groundbreaking move to further expand Puregold’s digital footprint and engage shoppers. With the rise of video content and live streaming, Puregold shall use Facebook and Youtube to house its own program offerings aimed at bringing entertainment that caters to a wide variety of interests. It will also provide opportunities for branded messaging and segments, sale offers, and ultimately an instant link to frictionless transactions. 

Viewers will be hooked and engaged with content recurring in a weekly time slot - from a cooking show, to a comedy show to a full-on game show.

A lot of individuals have recently tried their hand at cooking. Online instruction videos notwithstanding, The Puregold Channel introduces "Luto Mo, Negosyo Mo, Panalo!" as a unique way of presenting culinary lessons. Hosted by TV Personality Arra San Agustin, the show features easy-to-follow recipes. Done in a casual and light manner, even the "non-experts" should be able to relate and stay on track. What's more, a part of the program will be about how to get into the entrepreneurship side of food preparation, indeed a growing trend these days.

It has been said that "laughter is the best medicine". In these times, surely a lot of us would agree. The Puregold Channel sees the value in looking at the lighter side of life and so another program will serve just the thing. Called "The Ha Ha Hour", this comedy-themed show will feature the sought-after brand of humor of popular lounge comic Alex Calleja. Those who have seen his performances both live and online will surely attest to a potentially riotous time.

And of course, who doesn't want to win prizes? To make it more exciting, how about being an actual game show contestant right at your own home? Game shows might be a dime a dozen, but not when you have Luis Manzano as host. The promisingly fun "Playtime Panalo" is all that. Online subscribers will have the chance to be chosen as home partners and live out their game show contestant dreams and play for exciting prizes. Joining Luis are equally entertaining co-hosts—their hilarious banter alone will surely knock the socks off of even non-contestants!

Search for The Puregold Channel shows on Facebook and YouTube and explore entertainment as brought to you by someone who's always been around to help you be, panalo at life.

Viviamo Inc advocates for the power of journaling to find healing, clarity, and connection through its first planning and journaling online summit called #YouGotThis

#YouGotThis Online Summit Speakers Lineup (from L-R, top to bottom)

Kumu’s VP for marketing Victoria Herrera, Lifekite coach Bam Santiago, life and beauty coach Ning Tadeña, bullet journal enthusiast Paula Binsol, Huskee Digital managing partner Miggy Azurin, mental health advocate and content creator and Cat Triviño, globally accredited mentor and coach Pia Acevedo, creative entrepreneur behind Lifeafterbreakfast.ph Alessa Lanot, global design director of Rezonate Katwo Puertollano, content creator Macoy Dubs, lifestyle and financial coach Paula Peralta, global design director of Rezonate Nico Puertollano, vision board coach Trixie Esguerra, and Viviamo! Inc. president and founder Dar Ty-Nilo.

With everything that’s been going on lately surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, it feels as though we haven’t been given enough time to prepare or process the drastic changes that have been happening in our lives. Given these negative events happening around us, our bodies might be responding to them in three possible ways: suppress feelings associated with the event, don’t actively process the emotions of the situation; or allow the experience to be the sole focus of our life. 

“When you’re falling into any of these common responses, and find it hard to freely express your emotions with someone else, then a method that might probably work for you is journal therapy,” advises Darlyn Ty-Nilo, founder and president of Viviamo Inc.--the custom publishing company behind Belle de Jour Power Planner. 

This method entails writing down your thoughts and emotions in your journal with the intent of processing them without any judgment from and of yourself and your emotions. This then becomes a powerful journey to self-healing.

With journal therapy, the left part of the brain becomes active, allowing you to be more creative in expressing your ideas. The more you pick up the habit of writing, the more you feel freer from the emotions you have bottling up. Doing so might even give you clarity and understanding of the negative events you have experienced.  

Additionally, journal therapy can be highly beneficial to one’s physical and mental wellbeing: 

It reduces stress. Journaling is an effective stress-management tool because it helps you prioritize your problems, fears and concerns. It can also track your day-to-day emotions, and recognize your negative triggers and learn how to better control them.

Keeps the mind active and memory sharp. Journaling can help your brain stay in tip-top shape. It helps improve your cognitive functions by boosting comprehension and increasing one’s memory capacity. As you reconnect with yourself, you are also keeping your brain engaged at all times.  

Strengthen emotional functions. Journaling can be a cathartic experience for writers. It allows them to express their emotions, helping the brain regulate emotions. Journaling also gives the writers a sense of mindfulness, remaining present while gaining perspective. 

Immortalizes your past. Expressive writing ensures your past is not forgotten. Whether it’s a negative or positive memory, writing them down will keep the mental imagery clear for many years to come, which can have a positive impact on your long-term memory. Immortalizing your past through journaling will most likely aid in your future rather than hinder it. 

Improves overall physical health. Studies show that writing for therapy has positive effects for people with asthma, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pelvic pain, and even cancer. It also improves the immune system and speed up wound healing. 

Journaling is a very enriching habit anyone can pick up. But to make it even more fun, insightful and meaningful for you, let Viviamo! Inc. guide you through the whole process as it holds its first-ever planning and journaling summit in the Philippines, for FREE, entitled #YouGotThis happening on September 19 and 20.  Simultaneously, Viviamo! Inc. will release its 2021 products online via crazyaboutpaper.com.

“This online summit idea came into existence when our community members shared a common sentiment on being unsure about using their planner or journal when everything is so uncertain," adds Dar Ty-Nilo. "Our goal is to help our community members journey out of this pandemic stronger and better; and see the value of journaling in managing emotions and navigating through their days, and help them power through during these uncertain times."

The #YouGotThis summit will feature three (3) panel discussions and seven (7) individual talks featuring esteemed keynote speakers who will share meaningful insights and personal experiences on how journaling has helped them, including content creators Macoy Dubs and Cat Triviño, brand and content strategist Victoria Herrera, global design director duo Katwo and Nico Puertollano, creative entrepreneur Alessa Lanot, globally accredited coach and mentor Pia Acevedo, and vision board coach Trixie Esguerra. Participants not only get to enjoy fun games, win prizes and score purchase discounts, they will also be given the chance to have an engaging Q&A with the speakers. 

The seminar will be streamed live from 10AM to 6PM on BDJ Power Planner’s official Facebook page (facebook.com/bdjbuzz), Crazy About Paper’s Facebook page (facebook.com/CrazyAboutPaper) and You Got This via bit.ly/yougotthisph

To know more, visit https://www.facebook.com/bdjbuzz .  

REBISCO aids DepEd on continued learning during the pandemic

Keeping the Filipino bayanihan spirit alive, the Republic Biscuit Corporation (REBISCO) recently launched new programs to aid the continued education of school children during the pandemic. As the Department of Education (DepEd) pushes for online learning at home to curb the spread of the virus, REBISCO has come up with a series of learning materials in various formats that both educators and students can use.

Supplementary Learning Kits

Last July, REBISCO began its distribution of supplementary learning kits to 240 public schools in NCR. The kit contains school materials such as pencils, crayons, and other basic school supplies. According to Quezon City, Pasay, and Las Piñas school divisions, REBISCO is the first private stakeholder to respond to DepEd’s “Bayanihan Para Sa Paaralan” which seeks for support from private sectors in producing modified learning materials fit for home education. As the effects of the global pandemic were utterly unexpected, support from private entities are very crucial in accomplishing all planned activities for restructuring and reorganizing the education system to cope with the changes.

Activity Worksheets

Supplementary activity worksheets were also produced by REBISCO and will be incorporated into the printed modules that the DepEd will distribute to students once the school year officially starts on October 5. These will reach 351 thousand learners from the early grade.  

Instructional Videos For Teachers, Parents, and Learners

REBISCO is also instrumental in producing instructional videos to help educators navigate the new technologies to be used in virtual teaching. The two video materials are for DepEd Commons and DepEd LMS.

The DepEd Commons is an online library portal of learning materials accessible to public and private school students from Kinder up to Grade 12. 

The DepEd LMS is a virtual classroom where educators can facilitate the class and check 

real-time activities, among others.

Instructional Videos For Students

REBISCO is also leading in the production of branded video materials that can further reinforce learning among young grade schoolers. These videos will be made available on DepEd’s website https://commons.deped.gov.ph/and will include the following instructional videos for students: REBISCO Hand Eatiquette, Topps SarapBalikEskwela tips, Frootees’ The Frooteam, and The Hanchies from Hansel Sandwich.

“For many years, REBISCO has enjoyed the untiring patronage of Filipino consumers, particularly the parents whose children would often bring our products to school as their baon. During this time when kids are forced to stay home and miss out on the learning opportunities, they can only get from attending school, we felt the need to help so our children can continue their development. Through these supplementary materials that we have provided the DepEd, we hope that our school children will be inspired to continue their quest for learning and education and be motivated to strive and do well even under challenging circumstances,” said Rey Delos Reyes, Rebisco’s Senior Vice President for Marketing.

To access the supplementary learning materials from REBISCO, visit the DepEd’s official website at www.deped.gov.ph, and social media accounts: Facebook (DepEd Philippines), Instagram (@depedphilippines), and Twitter (@DepEd_PH).

To learn more about Rebisco head to www.rebisco.com.ph and follow REBISCO’s official social Facebook page www.facebook.com/RebiscoOfficialPage.