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Spotify Launches Spotify Premium Duo
Spotify announces the launch of Spotify Premium Duo – a new, first-of-its-kind subscription plan rolling out in 55 markets globally, including the Philippines. Premium Duo is designed for two people living at the same home address and costs only PHP169 per month. With this, each individual gets their own Premium account under one plan and […].....»»
Anissa Heights: For discerning home seekers
DMCI Homes’ upcoming project in Pasay City reaffirms the property developer’s commitment to providing quality housing options for a diverse range of home seekers. “Anissa Heights exemplifies DMCI Homes’ dedication to delivering housing solutions that adapt to the market’s evolving needs,” DMCI vice president for Project Development Dennis Yap said. The soon-to-launch Anissa Heights is a residential condominium located in P. Zamora, Pasay City, that aims to cater to a broader audience of individuals and families, offering the opportunity to own a home in a prime urban location. It provides easy access to key areas, including the Bay City, and convenient connections to Makati City through EDSA and other major road networks. Future residents will also appreciate the convenience of a transit-oriented development with the nearby MRT-3 Taft Avenue and LRT-1 EDSA stations. ANISSA Heights Its 1,390 units range from a studio type (16 sqm-26sqm) to one bedroom (27.5 sqm), ideal for rental business (short-term or long-term). This one-tower, 34-storey modern development influenced by the concept of urban living also features a wide array of amenities, such as a swimming pool, fitness gym, multi-purpose court, open sky lounge, entertainment room, play area and landscaped gardens, providing a complete resort-like experience. “This new project stands as a testament to DMCI Homes’ vision to redefine urban living, making it accessible to a diverse range of individuals and families,” Yap added. DMCI Homes is the Philippines’ first Quadruple A real estate developer known for building quality resort-inspired communities in Mega Manila, Baguio, Boracay and Davao City. It has more than 60 properties in its portfolio since its launch in 1999. The post Anissa Heights: For discerning home seekers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solons want probe on boat ramming incident off Pangasinan
Senators are eyeing to investigate the fatal ramming incident off the waters of Agno, Pangasinan, which resulted in the deaths of three Filipino fishermen last 2 October. In a radio interview, Senator Francis Tolentino pressed the need to conduct a Senate special investigation on the ramming incident to help establish the country's “archipelagic sea lane” and further prevent a repeat of the incident in the future. “Ang pakay dito ay ang pagbubuo ng archipelagic sea lanes. Ang ibig sabihin po nito ay iyong talagang daanan—dito dadaan yong mga barkong domestic, foreign at international vessels na malalaki, nang sa ganun alam ng ating mangingisda kung saan dadaan at makakaiwas sa isa’t isa (The intention here is to establish archipelagic sea lanes. That means, thiw Ould really determine where the domestic ships or huge foreign and international vessels should pass through so that Filipino fishermen would know and they could avoid the vessels),” Tolentino, who chairs the Senate committee on justice and human rights, told reporters on Saturday. Tolentino said he is weighing the idea of whether to start the investigation while still waiting for reports from concerned entities required by international rules. He then stressed that the “incident could have been avoided if the archipelagic sea lane in the Philippines had already been determined.” Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa earlier said he is planning to file a resolution to investigate the recent ramming incident between a Filipino boat and a foreign vessel off Pangasinan. “We will file a resolution to investigate who is really responsible for this. It’s a very unfortunate incident because you know fishermen went there for a living right and they ended up dying. It has to be investigated thoroughly by our authorities,” he said. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo told reporters on Friday that they have sent personnel to Singapore and reached out to the local Port State Control authority there “to inspect: the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, MV Pacific Anna. “The inspection should be targeted in the vessel compliance with the regulations of SOLAS Chapter V (safety of navigation); the result of their inspection could be used in our investigation,” Balilo said. He added that the PCG has also sent a formal request for the Marshall Islands Flag State to launch its own investigation into the incident. “We expect with this formal request the Flag State of Marshall Island will conduct a safety investigation in compliance with the IMO’s Casualty Investigation Code Chapter 6 that the state of the ship involved in a very serious maritime casualty is responsible for ensuring that a marine safety investigation be conducted and completed,” said Balilo. He said that the result of these investigations will be used to pursue claims and damages for the victims, survivors, and owner of FFB Dearyn, the Filipino boat that capsized in the incident. The PCG earlier said that the fatal sea collision was likely an accident. Dela Rosa, however, said all possibilities should be looked into “to determine everything.” “We have to leave no stone unturned sa pag-conduct ng investigation. So, kailangan talagang ma-determine ‘yan baka mamaya nga di natin alam (so we really need to determine the facts surrounding the incident),” he said. “I hope it was a plain accident. So that walang ibang (there’s no other) political or geopolitical implications. I hope, really,” he added. The post Solons want probe on boat ramming incident off Pangasinan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM congratulates EJ Obiena for winning Phl’s first Asiad gold
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday congratulated pole vault champion EJ Obiena on winning the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Saturday night and taking home the nation's first gold medal. Marcos congratulated Obiena on X (formerly Twitter) after the pole vault king cleared 5.75 meters and later cleared 5.90 meters to clinch the gold medal. “Congratulations, EJ, on clinching our first gold in the men’s pole vault at the 19th Asian Games!” Marcos said. “Kudos as well to Patrick King Perez, Jones Inso, Gideon Padua, Clemente Tabugara Jr., Alex Eala, and Francis Casey Alcantara for their outstanding performances in Taekwondo, Wushu, and Tennis! Best of luck to all our athletes competing ahead!” he added. Obiena, for his part, said that he worked under pressure just to win the first gold medal for the Philippines. However, he felt the weight of the expectations, implying quietly that living up to those expectations did take a toll on him. "It's a privilege to be in this position where the whole country is literally expecting gold because of you guys, so good job, and thank God, I didn't crack," Obiena said during a media scrum moments after his first Asian Games conquest. Japan's Seito Yamamoto held the Asian Games record, jumping 5.70 meters. But Obiena broke that record with his jump. At 6.0 meters, the Filipino pole vaulter holds the record for all of Asia. The post PBBM congratulates EJ Obiena for winning Phl’s first Asiad gold appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Homebuyers shifting to mixed-used properties
Mixed-used development, including townships and communities that feature commercial, residential, and recreational areas is commanding strong popularity among homebuyers. The Spectrum, a mixed-used condominium development, has gained recognition for its top-tier housing options. It was named “Mixed-Use Development of the Year—Luzon” at the prestigious Lamudi Outlook Awards 2023. The Spectrum’s win not only solidifies its status in the real estate industry but also highlights the Ortigas Central Business District as a prime site for mixed-use developments. Located on Julia Vargas Avenue corner of Garnet Road, The Spectrum places its residents right at the heart of the Ortigas CBD, and close to the best lifestyle destinations that urbanites seek. Teresa Tumbaga, division head, asserts that the recognition given by the Lamudi’s Outlook Award 2023, sets the stage for even greater prospects for The Spectrum and its role in Luzon’s urban development. “We are immensely proud of this achievement, which will spur us to craft even more exceptional living spaces for Filipino urban professionals in the metropolis and beyond.” Indeed, with The Spectrum’s proximity to multiple leisure dining, shopping and entertainment options, residents are spoiled for choice. The development is within striking distance of multi-national companies’ corporate headquarters, upscale hotels and restaurants, sprawling shopping malls, hospitals like Medical City, and some of the country’s renowned learning institutions like Saint Pedro Poveda College, La Salle Greenhills, and the University of Asia and the Pacific. The Ortigas CBD is likewise strategically close to the Makati CBD and BGC towards the south and the Araneta City towards the north. Still, while The Spectrum provides its homeowners with a prestigious address, equally important is how the condo features trademark amenities that include enhanced security measures; walkable swathes of greenery and landscaped spaces; swimming pools; fitness centers, and children’s play areas. “If you covet the ultimate condo lifestyle, look no further than The Spectrum, which lies at the crossroads of luxury and convenience,” Tumbaga enthuses. “On this note, we are gratified to know that Lamudi Philippines, a leading digital real estate marketplace, has found The Spectrum deserving of its Outlook Awards this year.” The post Homebuyers shifting to mixed-used properties appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ilocos Sur’s Tela de Bonita makes inabel more accessible
The Philippines has a number of textile weaving cultures that live on, passed down from generations to generations in different regions. The Ilocanos of northern Luzon take pride in producing handwoven textiles in different weaving techniques and with several designs, collectively called inabel, an Ilocano word that generally means “something woven.” The beautiful and resilient textiles, woven out of cotton material, have been used to make attire and household items such as blankets. However, production of these textiles has dwindled over time as there are fewer and fewer weavers. Some point out that not much innovation has been put into its design to meet modern needs. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="182657,182658"] This led young Ilocana woman entrepreneur Mia Aguila to launch her line of products that incorporate traditional textiles and modern designs into beautiful and functional fashion and home items. “The business was born from my frustration in finding inabel items in Manila that were not affordable to budget-conscious buyers. I want to make this heirloom craft accessible to more Filipinos so that they can proudly own a piece of Ilocos Sur’s history and heritage,” she said. Aguila, who is a mother herself, said this is also her way of supporting the weavers of the Ilocano communities, as it offers them a source of income to help support their families. “They are mothers who can earn from home, when they are not busy looking after their families. We want to support the local economy with more opportunities for our women to be more empowered in financial decision making in their households,” she related. She plans to put all stages of production — from design and weaving to sewing — in Ilocos Sur. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="182656,182654"] Tela de Bonita introduces design innovations that offer practicality and functionality to fit into modern lifestyles. Among their products are slippers and bags that incorporate inabel, along with household items such as pillowcases, placemats and table runners. “One of our innovations is that we produce inabel sets, so that the pillowcases and table accents match, for example. This adds a luxurious and harmonious look to the living space,” Aguila explained. They have also added more detail to the designs such as adding tassels on throw pillow cases. Traditional textile patterns and designs usually depend on the town of their origins, and Aguila highlights the artisan’s designs with the use of color, ranging from the heritage color combinations that have been used since the Spanish era, to happy tropical hues, and even classy and timeless neutrals. [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="182655,182652"] Aside from promoting heritage and history, Aguila also keeps sustainability in mind. Her line of T-shirts incorporates retasos or scraps of cloth left behind after being used. These give the shirts a fun and colorful patchwork effect. “I grew up with many inabel items at home, and I want to bring this tradition to the next generation. Through Tela de Bonita, I want to develop the skills of more women weavers and local designers, and I also want today’s youth to appreciate the art of inabel,” she said. Tela de Bonita was formally launched in a fashion show held last 1 May at Vigan City’s famous Calle Crisologo, part of the celebration of the Binatbatan Vigan Festival of the Arts. There are already plans for market expansion here and overseas. Products are available at the lobby of Hotel Felicidad in Vigan City and online through the official Tela De Bonita Facebook and Instagram pages. One can email address TelaDeBonita22@gmail.com. The post Ilocos Sur’s Tela de Bonita makes inabel more accessible appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meditate to clear the mind, feel sense of ease
In John Aguilar’s third and latest book, Methods to Greatness, the author wrote about the importance of nurturing and nourishing the soul based on his interview with Nameeta Dargani, the founding member and president of Art of Living Foundation Philippines. Dargani, in turn, led a meditation session at the book’s recent launch held in an upscale shopping mall. The term meditation, according to United States National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “refers to a variety of practices that focus on mind and body integration.” These meditative practices are used to “calm the mind and enhance overall well-being.” Some of them involve “maintaining mental focus on a particular sensation,” such as breathing, a sound, a visual image or a mantra, which is a repeated word or phrase. Dargani, who’s been practicing meditation for 18 years now, shares how she got into it and why she stayed. “Someone told me it would help with my back pain,” she tells DAILY TRIBUNE in an email interview. “It did so much more than that!” These days, she meditates at least once a day in the mornings after doing her yoga practice and breathing techniques that she learned in the Art of Living course she attended in 2005. She also likes to meditate in the evenings for 15 to 20 minutes before her day ends. “The benefits were instant and cumulative shortly after I took the Art of Living course,” she recalls. Art of Living Foundation is touted as one of the largest non-profit organizations in the world. It operates more than 10,000 centers in over 150 countries, offering various educational and self-development programs in meditation, yoga and other tools that help eliminate stress, as well as create a deep sense of inner peace, happiness and well-being. “My mind got clearer,” she adds. “I was getting things done more efficiently with better focus and attention. I felt an overall sense of ease and joy. A lot of my fears and insecurities faded away. After tasting these benefits, I decided it made a lot of sense to incorporate breathing techniques and a meditation practice into my daily routine.” Dargani understands why many people can’t focus, get too distracted or tend to fall asleep when attempting to meditate. “This is why breathwork is so helpful,” she points out. “In particular, the Sudarshan Kriya (SKY Breath) technique taught in the Art of Living course. Working with the breath gives the mind something to do and focus on. It very naturally leads you to a state of meditation.” She then shares a “great tip” she learned in the Art of Living Meditation program: “When you sit for meditation, you mentally say to yourself: ‘I am nothing, I want nothing, I do nothing.’ Only for the duration of the meditation, and then all the labels and desires can come back after that!” “For me, this strategy really works and helps me to let go and drop everything that’s going on in my life so that I can just sit and be present with the experience,” she says. “Apart from this, the usual guidelines are to sit with your spine erect, your back can be rested if needed on a chair. It’s really important to be comfortable so that you can transcend the body level.” In the Philippines, Dargani explains, the foundation has “touched the lives of thousands of people from all backgrounds and walks of life,” including corporates, youth, prison inmates, military, PNP, victims of trauma and the general public.” It regularly offers both online and offline programs. Visit www.artofliving to learn more and contact Lorna Nasayao at 0917-8484898 for inquiries. The post Meditate to clear the mind, feel sense of ease appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sky Garden’s Ryu, Hiro and Iwa break into music SCENE
There are now two full-blooded Japanese young men bidding for adulation from the multitude of Pinoys as members of a band signed up recently by AltG, a sub-unit of GMA Music. The boyband is known as Sky Garden. The two are Hiro and Iwa, who have been living here for more than a year now upon the invitation of the band’s founder Ryu (pronounced as Rio), who is a Pinoy-Japanese brought up in Japan, finished college there and worked for a few years at Toyota in Japan. Ryu’s mother is from Isabela. When the pandemic unsettled the world, he decided to move to the Philippines where he easily landed a work-from-home job. He also landed a scholarship for a one-year course at the Ateneo de Manila University. Ryu, Hiro and Iwa (for easier recall they use their very short nicknames as their showbiz names) are very close friends from Nagoya, Japan. They have another friend -- but he took his own life sometime after he lost his job due to the economic constraints and contractions brought by the pandemic virus. Ryu was already in the Philippines when he learned about the tragedy. As casually and as briefly as he could at the launch of Sky Garden in Quezon City, Ryu revealed that he got very worried Hiro might fall into depression, too, since the latter eventually lost his job, too, and so did Iwa. Ryu convinced Hiro and Iwa to join him in the Philippines and he would take care of them until the pandemic subsides, and new jobs and financial opportunities open in the Land of the Rising Sun. To make it easy for the two guys to come to the Philippines, Ryu told them he would buy plane tickets for them. The boyish Ryu, who seems to be a well-disciplined young man who graduated cum laude in college, soon managed to raise money for the plane fares. Happily, their parents were willing to support them for a few months in the Philippines, hoping they’ll find their financial bearings on a short stretch of time. They got here just early last year. Ryu admitted that his parents, too, we’re partially supporting him which is why he is able to rent a pad in Metro Manila where all three of them stay together. Getting ‘Filipinized’ Hiro and Iwa have college degrees, too, which equipped them with enough English vocabulary to get by in the Philippines. They also find it easy to pick up a foreign language, such as Tagalog. Warm and extroverted, they do not hesitate to break into a conversation with anyone in a mixture of Tagalog and English. Or it could be that Ryu is a very good language teacher. Hiro and Iwa have picked more than enough Tagalog words to enable them to do hilarious contents for their vlog of jokes and how-tos. The two had been vlogging individually in Japan but were easily persuaded by the voluble Ryu into forming themselves into a trio of clownish characters who can also sing and dance and act and do covers of K-pop, P-pop and Japanese pop, of course. Iwa and Hiro even ventured into the streets singing to passers-by with Hiro strumming his guitar. They once found their way in Murphy in Cubao, Quezon City, sang to some kids hanging out on the street one of whom happened to be celebrating his birthday. Iwa offered to buy a cake for the boy on condition that he would take them home to their parents, and let them eat with the family -- including partaking of food that Iwa himself would buy ingredients for and cook in the family pans and stove. “Iwa has very passable cooking skills,” blurted Ryu at the presscon. The middle-class family accepted them. They ate, danced, sang and caroused with the family, including the middle-aged father of the birthday boy. Sky Garden has amassed 17 million views in less than a year for their vlogs, one of which was a gag about “first circumcision.” They also have a series of gags comparing Japanese antics with those of the Pinoys. They are at home playing an assortment of Japanese and Pinoy characters in a variety of situations. Even their covers of hit pops are well-followed to the tune of hundred thousands of views. At the presscon, they easily broke into snippets of the Voltes 5 theme and SB19’s “Gento.” They are completely un-shy in sharing themselves to the people. They seem serious at becoming “Filipinized” Japanese. Jap-Pinoy talent on the rise Their success at entertaining themselves and people prompted Ryu to offer Sky Garden to GMA Music to become a talent group of the company. He sent them email offers since he had figures to show from the video-sharing apps. He also sent the company videos of the three of them performing rock compositions of Hiro with Tagalog lyrics mainly put together by Ryu whose mastery of Tagalog is amazing. He could really pass for a Pinoy who just happens to look like a Japanese. “I’ve been vacationing in the Philippines every school break since my childhood years.That’s how I slowly grew a tongue for Tagalog with no Japanese twang,” confided Ryu. The boys were signed up by AltG just last July, although long before that they have acted as guests in the Vic Sotto-Maine Mendoza sitcom on GMA 7, Papa’s Gurl, and on Family Feud. They’ve also found a manager, Ruby Gomez, who has been a talent supplier for the Kapuso network and for ABS-CBN for some years. Their first single, “Kokoa,” was launched in all the video-sharing apps on 1 September. The boys have vlogged that the song ranked 10th on iTunes 100 on the day it premiered. They’re praying that when the music video for Kokoa is launched on 8 September, it will do well, too. The forthcoming music video may show in fleeting seconds the well-toned upper torso of Ryu and Hiro who do gym workouts. Their chest and abs may peek from unstrapped kimonos which the boys love to wear to signal to people their being Japanese. Iwa has gone a little chubby although pics of them on their FB and Instagram accounts show that Iwa looked the handsomest of them when he had less poundage. AltG will surely find exposure for Sky Garden in their weekly musical-variety All Out Sunday and in the network’s new talent competition shows one of which is hosted by the network’s hottest star for some time now, Dingdong Dantes. We recently intoned in this corner that a wave of Jap-Pinoy talents is upon the entertainment industry. The Sky Garden is one more manifestation of that wave. Sky and garden are iconic images in classic Japanese paintings. Those are images in our subconsciousness over centuries. Ryu, Hiro and Iwa surely know how to connect to the world at large. The post Sky Garden’s Ryu, Hiro and Iwa break into music SCENE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Digitizing a must — Concepcion
Honing and making micro, small and medium enterprises fully engrossed with digitization is now a must for every country in the ASEAN Region to fully realize the expanding opportunities presented by digital transformation, according to ASEAN-Business Advisory Council Philippines chairperson Joey Concepcion. “The power of digitalization is there; we just have to use it. It’s time that we really focus on the objective of greater prosperity, especially for those at the bottom of the pyramid, using whatever tools we have,” Concepcion said during a panel discussion on ASEAN’s Digital Powerhouse at the Nexus of Connectivity and Transformation in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday. “We must enable MSMEs to use digitalization to their advantage. Digital growth is seen to boost cross-border e-commerce by providing MSMEs with access to new markets and is hoped to promote financial inclusion to underserved populations,” he added. Further, Concepcion noted that although the rapid growth of digital adoption in the ASEAN bodes well for the region’s economies, its growth must be inclusive, with MSMEs being crucial to sustainable growth, to fully realize the expanding opportunities presented by digital transformation. “All of these tools are important to uplift the lives of our people. That’s why we are here: how do we solve big problems, especially for those who are at the bottom of the pyramid,” he said, pointing out that four of the 10 countries in the ASEAN have nearly a fifth of their populations still living in poverty. Region’s biggest tech players The session gathered some of the region’s biggest technology players, as well as key stakeholders from leading multinational companies, global financial institutions, and government organizations. The session delved into the development of strategic policies — including financial technology, e-trade, and cross-border trade facilitation. “The power of digital has to be used. The crisis pushed people to use these tools and this is one of the reasons we in the ASEAN BAC Philippines proposed to sign an MoU with each ASEAN country to focus on sectors that will bring development, specifically agriculture and MSMEs,” he said. He also pointed out that digitalization will stand to benefit even the one-man businesses — also known as nanopreneurs — who now have a better chance at succeeding because they have access to marketing tools and digital payment solutions. “We are the big brothers. Unless we embrace the MSMEs in our value chain this is going to take a long time. That is our mission as ASEAN BAC heads, to see to it that greater prosperity is achieved,” he said. Private sector feedback The ASEAN BAC was organized to provide private sector feedback and guidance to boost ASEAN’s efforts towards economic integration. It was said in the discussion that ASEAN has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing Internet market, with a 40 percent annual growth in the value of e-commerce between 2016 and 2021. Further, it is set to become the world’s fastest-growing digital market driven by a growing consumer market and the rapid adoption of social commerce platforms by its population. “This growth must be inclusive to unlock the benefits. It must be used to enable MSMEs,” he said. Phl case cited Concepcion cited the Philippines case as an example of how digital technology has helped MSMEs compete with big corporations and gave birth to a thriving digital economy that was further hastened by the pandemic lockdowns. Aside from Concepcion, other speakers in the session were Sam Myers, deputy trade commissioner for Asia Pacific (Southeast Asia) at the UK Department for Business and Trade; Haslina Taib, CEO of Dynamic Technologies; Yuem Kuan Moon, CEO of Singtel; and Kok Ping Soon, CEO of Singapore Business Federation. Bank of Indonesia Governor Dr. Perry Warijjyo, Temasek Holdings CEO Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara; and Japan External Trade Organization Chairman Ishiguro Norihiko delivered keynote remarks, while ASEAN-BAC Indonesia Policy Manager for Digital Transformation Yohanes Lukiman gave a policy presentation. The post Digitizing a must — Concepcion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Medical miracle
It is commonly recognized that Taiwan is one of the world’s leading producers of information and communication technology products. However, it is not so widely known that the country is among the world’s top medical-care providers with advanced capabilities in biotech and pharmaceuticals. Taiwan has ranked No. 1 in the world in Numbeo’s mid-year “Global Health Care Index by Country” for five consecutive years with a score of 85.9 this year, on top of South Korea, Japan, France and Netherlands. Numbeo is the world’s largest database of user-contributed data about cities and countries which calculates a health score for each country based on technology, medical personnel qualifications, medical equipment, waiting times, accessibility of medical locations and staff friendliness. When it comes to health expenditure index, Taiwan ranked first as well with a score of 157.8. One National Geographic Channel documentary in 2012 dubbed the medical miracle in Taiwan and mentioned that among the world’s 200 best hospitals, 14 of them were located in Taiwan, which made Taiwan one of the best and most affordable countries in Asia for patients to seek medical help. One of the significant reasons Taiwan is able to provide high quality medical care is because being a doctor is one of the most sought-after jobs and only those who score the highest in college entrance exams can enter medical school. That’s why the smartest and top talents in Taiwan are doctors. On top of that, Taiwan began hospital accreditation programs in 1978, accrediting specific teaching hospitals providing practicum for medical students. The accreditation of hospitals was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare but the Joint Commission of Taiwan was given the task in 1999. JCT aims to help healthcare organizations improve their service with recognition of accreditation and certification, thereby achieving the mission of enhancing healthcare quality in Taiwan. To develop and strengthen bilateral cooperation in South and Southeast Asian countries, the One Country, One Center project was launched in June 2018 with India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam as primary partners. The New Southbound Policy countries are linked with hospitals in Taiwan to expand professional training programs, build medical industry collaborations and provide health consultation services for Taiwanese working and doing business in partner-countries. In 2018, 336 medical professionals from partner countries were trained in medical centers in Taiwan and 69 enterprises were introduced to the target region. Despite its high-quality services and relatively low costs, Taiwan is often overlooked as a medical tourism destination. In fact, Taiwan offers quality medical services especially in living-donor liver transplantation, craniofacial surgery, cardiovascular therapeutics, artificial reproductive technology and arthroplasty surgery. Moreover, to establish a smart health environment, Taiwan is integrating its leading-edge information technology capacities with innovative medical management. For instance, Taiwan has a high success rate of 81 percent for heart, liver and kidney transplants compared to 77 to 79 percent in the United States, and on average, the hospital and surgery costs are just 1/6 of the United Kingdom, 1/5 of the US and 1/3 of Japan, which makes Taiwan one of the best destinations for medical tourism. Another example is infertility treatment. The trends of delayed marriage and nonmarriage in Pacific Asian countries have a great impact on their fertility rates and thus cause infertility problems for many couples. Consequently, healthcare facilities are also promoting tourism packages for couples to receive infertility treatment in Taiwan. The post Medical miracle appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pasig River rehab plan gets FL Liza’s nod
In five words, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos declared her support to the plan to fully rehabilitate Pasig River. “Para sa Pasig River natin!” thus, posted the First Lady on her Instagram after the Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development (IAC-PRUD) presented its master plan for the massive rehabilitation of Pasig River in Malacanang on Wednesday. Revitalizing the Pasig River into a commercial, lifestyle tourism and culture hub, like Thames and Seine, is among the advocacies of the First Lady as reported by Tatler Asia magazine this month. Dubbed as “Pasig Bigyan Buhay Muli” (PBBM) Project, the massive urban development undertaking was crafted by member-agencies of the IAC-PRUD which was created by virtue of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 35 signed last July 25. The PBBM Project is a holistic approach composed of development plans for mixed-use commercial areas, including tourist spots, and open public parks along the 25-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River from the Manila Bay all the way to the Laguna de Bay. Initially, the IAC-PRUD identified eight key areas where the people-centric improvements could be made like jogging paths and bike lanes from the city of Manila up to Rizal province - traversing major cities in the metropolis. Informal settler families living along the river banks will be prioritized under the flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program. “Talagang ang Pangulong Bongbong Marcos po at si First Lady ang aktibong nagsusulong nito - hindi lamang para linisin kundi pagandahin at buhayin ang Ilog Pasig,” Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said. “At bilin din po nila na tulungan ang mga kababayan nating naninirahan sa danger zones along the river. Kaya may plano na rin po kami para sa mga informal settler families diyan,” he added. By virtue of EO 35, the IAC-PRUD was created with DHSUD as chair and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as vice chair. Members of the IAC-PRUD include the secretaries of DPWH, DENR, DILG, DOT, DoTr, DOF, DBM; the chairpersons of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the NCCA, the general manager of the PPA, commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, the general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the chief executive officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. The National Housing Authority will serve as the secretariat. # The post Pasig River rehab plan gets FL Liza’s nod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Increased cost-of-living undermines fight against poverty in Asia and Pacific: ADB
Manila [Philippines], August 25 (ANI): The increased cost-of-living crisis sparked by surging inflation last year, combined with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, is continuing to push people in Asia and the Pacific into extreme poverty, according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). An estimated 155.2 million people in developing Asia and the Pacific, or 3.9 per cent of the region's populati.....»»
Advertising platform pitches ‘creator economy’
Society Pass Incorporated, Southeast Asia's next-generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech, and e-commerce ecosystem, today announces the official launch of its digital advertising platform, Thoughtful Media Group Inc., in the Philippines market. With the theme of "The Power of Influence," TMG introduced its new Manila-based executive team and its disruptive influencer advertising business model at a media presentation. Established in 2010 and acquired by SoPa in 2022, TMG's growth trajectory has been impressive. In just 12 months, TMG has grown from operating exclusively in its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, to expanding to Vietnam in 4Q 2022, Indonesia in 1Q 2023, and now to the Philippines in 3Q 2023. Dennis Nguyen, SoPa founder/chairman/CEO, and TMG chairman, stated, "We are very pleased to bring the Philippines market into the TMG ecosystem. TMG's disruptive advertising platform, combining over 10,000 talented creators, market-leading design/branding capabilities, and influencer advertising-focused social commerce services, will generate massive storytelling capabilities and revenue generation opportunities for local, regional, and international advertisers seeking to market in the Philippines." He added, "By leveraging our local knowledge of market trends from other offices in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, TMG provides international quality advertising products and services for our brand partners and significant revenue-generating opportunities for Philippines creators." In addition, TMG's employee count has increased from just 15 professionals in July 2022 to over 75 staff today. With an influencer network of more than 10,000 talented creators, an integrated roster of digital advertising products and services, including influencer marketing and brand campaigns, social commerce, and sports marketing, and 13 years of experience serving more than 100 brands, TMG's market entry into the Philippines market offers a significant value proposition to advertisers, merchants, and influencers in SEA's fourth largest economy. The post Advertising platform pitches ‘creator economy’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The lives and traditions of Davao City’s 11 ethnic groups
Considered to be the Philippines’ largest city in terms of land area, Davao City is a sprawling 2,444-square kilometer area that has a population of about 1.632,991 million people based on the 2015 census. Dabawenyos (meaning the residents of Davao City and not the ethnic group of the same name) which is how local residents of the city are called, are mostly Visayans. The rest of the population are lumads or indigenous people belonging to different ethnic groups, while massive immigration is a continuing trend since the start of the 20th century. Davao City boasts of unity in diversity among the city’s population including the 11 ethnic groups with respect for one’s culture and traditions. Dabawenyos, migrants, lumads, not to mention ethnic Americans, Chinese, Koreans, Indians, Japanese, Indonesians and Malaysians co-exist in a city that is said to be one of the world’s safest cities. Let’s get to know these 11 ethnic communities, whose colorful and rich culture contributes to a vibrant and interesting metropolis, that is Davao City. [caption id="attachment_173319" align="aligncenter" width="948"] MERANAW - The Meranaw are said to have the best traditional clothes out of all Filipino ethnic groups. The name means “People of the Lake” and they are known to be brave. Historically, the Meranaw are believed to have offered sacrifices in defense of their homelands and to pay homage to Islam, their religion. Among those the ethnic group takes pride in is their rich literature which includes the chanted epic Darangen as well as their sophisticated wood and metal crafts expressed in their Torogan — a special house built for a Meranaw maiden — Okir, a design motif.| Photograph By Roel Hoang Manipon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173320" align="aligncenter" width="1044"] Ata MANOBO — The Ata Manobo or “dwellers in highlands” are powerful people who appear to be a mixture of Negritos and other ethnicities in the area. As occupants of the headwaters of Davao, Tuganay and Libuganon rivers, the Ata Manobo depend primarily on hunting as their livelihood. They are thought to be sensitive and vindictive but can be easily pacified if handled with utmost diplomacy. | Photograph Courtesy Of Gerald Macfred Dillera[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173321" align="aligncenter" width="683"] Kagan— The group’s name was derived from the word kaog which means “whisper.” The Kagan people are known as agriculturists—cultivating rice, corn, abaca and coconut for cash crops. Those who are living near the coasts practice fishing. They are Tagakaolo who have converted to Islam either through intermarriage or contact with the Maguindanaos. | Photograph Courtesy Of Fb.com/davao Group 6 B[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173322" align="aligncenter" width="1149"] Klata-guiangan — Klatas occupy a very small territory stretching from Catalunan to Calinan within Davao City. Their traditional population centers included Blao, Tagakpan, Dulian, Sirib, Gunalong and Tamugan. They are called the “forest dwellers.” | Photograph Courtesy Of Fb.com/kadayawan Festival[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173323" align="aligncenter" width="885"] Iranun — They are regarded as the fiercest pirates in Southeast Asia, adopting a typical maritime lifestyle of sea invaders. They attacked merchant shipping and coastal settlements in the Philippines, the straits of Malacca and the islands beyond Sulawesi. These days, they work as fishermen and long-distance traders. | Photograph By Roel Hoang Manipon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173324" align="aligncenter" width="967"] Sama — The Sama people are described as peace-loving and cohesive people, thus putting so much value on togetherness. Their forebears are said to possess special powers having the supernatural ability to invite spirits called Jin to do things for them. Majority of the Sama people are mostly living in the Bunawan and other coastal areas in Davao City. | Photograph By Roel Hoang Manipon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173325" align="aligncenter" width="1034"] Maguindanao — Their name means “people of the flood plain” and their traditional home range includes Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte. Outside these provinces, they are scattered around the three districts of Davao City and other nearby provinces like Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental. Living mostly along the mouths of rivers, they impeded the Spanish colonizers’ efforts in bringing the other indigenous groups of Davao into the Christian fold. | Photograph By Roel Hoang Manipon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173326" align="aligncenter" width="973"] OBO Monobo — The Obo Monobo are known for their intricate casting, fine weaponry and jewelry. For them, these things possess souls, as souls also possess animate objects. Obo oral tradition tells of Apo Sandawa’s journey from the north to Davao. Apo Sandawa’s point of entry in Davao was at Ulas. From Ulas, Apo Sandawa and family moved north towards the Talomo mountains, even reaching Mt. Sinaka. Apo Sandawa’s journey ended in Mt. Apo where he was buried. Apo Sandawa is considered the ancestor of the Obo. | Photograph By Roel Hoang Manipon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173327" align="aligncenter" width="919"] Tausug — The Tausugs traditionally reside in the archipelago of Sulu. Their name means “people of the current,” and they are known for their courage and bravery. Loyalty is an important trait among the Tausugs. They practice the ritual of blood compact to signify the depth of their loyalty to one another. They are fierce and dangerous but the moment one befriends one of them, the bond will be enduring. | Photograph By Roel Hoang Manipon[/caption] [caption id="attachment_173328" align="aligncenter" width="903"] Matigsalog — A subgroup of the Manobo, the Matigsalog or “river people” are considered to be the most aboriginal inhabitants of Mindanao chiefly occupying the Agusan River valley in Compostella, from Malalag to Sarangani and between Cuabo and Cape San Agustin. In Davao City, they live mostly in the hinterlands of Marilog, Marahan or Paquibato. Their houses are built near the rivers, often on the forks of trees. Of Malay descent, the Matigsalog are of slight built but athletic. Their name is made up of two words Matig (place of origin) and Salug (river). They are regarded as one of Davao’s colorful ethnic groups. | Photograph Courtesy Of Wikicommons/nick Nichols Cc By 2.0[/caption] The post The lives and traditions of Davao City’s 11 ethnic groups appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Food as human right
A recent Social Weather Stations survey showed that around 2.7 million Filipino families experienced hunger during the first quarter of 2023. A nationwide survey conducted among 1,200 adults found that 9.8 percent of Filipino families experienced “involuntary hunger” or hunger due to lack of food at least once in the past three months. Worldwide hunger is on the rise, affecting nearly 10 percent of the global population. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates approximately 811 million people worldwide suffered from chronic hunger between 2020 and 2022. In a world where hunger and malnutrition continue to afflict millions — a crisis driven largely by conflict, climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, and most of all, greed — we look back to a UN declaration that catalyzes action urging governments to prioritize policies and allocate resources to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. It emphasizes the need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices, promote equitable food distribution systems, and invest in rural development to enhance food security, which remains a pressing global issue. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, indirectly addresses the right to food under various articles. However, the explicit articulation of the right by the UN came later. In 1976, the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized the right to adequate food as a human right through the adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights — one of the key international human rights treaties that make up the International Bill of Human Rights. Article 11 of the ICESCR specifically acknowledges “the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food” and underscores the essential nature of the right to food. As of today, the covenant has been signed and ratified by 170 countries, including the Philippines. Hence, the right to food is a legal obligation of all State Parties, anchored on international law. There is more to hunger than just the mere lack of food. Ending the hunger crisis will take understanding its nature and the reasons why it exists in a world abundant in resources like our country, where the rich-poor divide is among the widest in East Asia and the Pacific region. Food as a human right knows no socio-economic status, ethnicity, or geographical location. Therefore, reinforcing the declaration’s principles of dignity, equality, and social justice is a responsibility placed on the governments and organizations to ensure the fulfillment of this right. Policymakers, enablers, and implementors should tackle the root causes of food insecurity. The triggers of food insufficiency — socio-economic disparities, unequal access to resources, and systemic injustices — are not to be left as a PowerPoint presentation file. It calls for comprehensive strategies that will balance economic development with sustainable food systems devoid of self-serving interests. Importantly, the entitlement to nourishment does not suggest that it is the responsibility of the government or any other organization to constantly supply food to every Filipino. Rather, it signifies that governments are obligated to establish circumstances and implement policies that guarantee accessibility to food, foster sustainable farming practices, and tackle concerns such as poverty, inequality, and food insecurity. We cannot feed hungry people with greed, nor break the cycle of poverty and ensure the long-term availability of food resources for future generations. The post Food as human right appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jewels in the Palace kitchen
Power and food. These are not usually spoken in the same sentence, but hey, they go hand in hand. Last September, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos posted on her official Facebook page a photo showing her at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new catering area in Malacañang. No other details of the project were released. The post got mixed reactions from netizens. However, despite the praise and criticisms of said post, it somehow got us into thinking — who are the people behind the important functions of each and every chief executive living in the Palace? Hands down, Glenda Rosales Barretto comes to mind. The one and only doyenne of Philippine cuisine. She of the Via Mare fame. From Ferdinand Marcos Sr. down to Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Barretto presided over numerous state dinners in Malacañang. The most recent was the inaugural ball of the 17th president of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Barretto is caterer extraordinaire well-known for reinventing and refining Filipino dishes fit to be served at the highest tables in the land. During PBBM’s inauguration, she served savory chicken soup with ginger, lemongrass and green papaya (more like a deboned chicken tinola), prawn in roasted coconut cream, seared prime beef tenderloin with kaldereta sauce and guava-basil sorbet. Barretto is also popular for her humba (a Visayan braised pork similar to the classic adobo), crispy adobo flakes (ultra crunchy and extra flaky dish using chicken, beef or pork), pancit luglog, puto bumbong and bibingka. Via Mare, founded in 1975, has a well-established and long-standing reputation of being the choice concessionaire to do banquets for heads of state and international guests in the Palace serving traditional flavors. It can be recalled that Barretto rose to prominence when she catered the silver wedding anniversary of President Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, and soon after became the official caterer of the Palace. [caption id="attachment_161357" align="aligncenter" width="1137"] MARGARITA Fores | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESYOF www.theworlds50best.com/[/caption] Margarita “Gaita” Fores Gaita Fores has also been trusted in handling the country’s most delicious affairs, hosted by the Palace for visiting chiefs of state. “I started catering only during Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s time,” said Fores in a text message to Daily Tribune. Fores recently catered the state dinner for Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the first European prime minister to visit the country under the new administration to discuss trade relations and mutual cooperation. The Asia’s Best Female Chef also served a delectable Filipino spread before the men and women of the diplomatic corps during the last vin d’honneur in Malacañang to celebrate the 12 June Independence Day. In 2016’s vin d’honneur, the last major function of the Aquino administration, Fores’ Cibo presented a Filipino buffet of three kinds of longganisa, toasted adobo flakes and corned beef flakes. Fores, who’s been in the food business for more than 30 years, has also prepared presidential dinners for King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, US Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama and Prince Albert of Monaco in Malacañang state dining room. Fores is the first cousin of former senator and interior secretary Mar Roxas, who is the second cousin of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Chef Jessie Sincioco Jessie Sincioco, dubbed the “Papal Chef,” is still the most in demand chef for fine dining and fine catering today. She has served the dining pleasure of Presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Noynoy Aquino and Rodrigo Duterte. She catered the inauguration lunch of PBBM for the diplomatic corps at the National Museum, serving smoked milkfish on toast with bihod, mini croissant sandwiches of smoked salmon or chicken salad, mini pandesal stuffed with chicken adobo or grilled kesong puti, lemongrass chicken, brochette of beef lamb ball with potato and ensaimada balls with ube halaya, to name some. A frequent caterer to Malacañang, Sincioco shares with us some of the favorite food of each president that she has served through the years. “Tita Cory loved spinach mushroom soufflé,” said Sincioco in a text message to this writer. “FVR, pan-fried Chilean seabass. Estrada, roast beef. GMA, chocolate durian souffle. PNoy, US black angus bistek. Digong, pan-fried Chilean seabass. BBM, brochette of lamb and beef ball with potato (pica-pica).” [caption id="attachment_161361" align="aligncenter" width="730"] millie and Karla Reyes. |PHOTOGRAPH COURTESYOF www.flavorsoflife.com[/caption] The Plaza The Plaza Catering, another reputable food and catering service run by the mother-and-daughter team of Millie and Karla Reyes, also has the privilege of serving the head of state and official banquets. “We have catered all presidents from Marcos Sr. to Duterte,” said Karla. “Not yet with PBBM.” The Plaza has been in the business since 1965 and is well-known for its piece de resistance — The Plaza premium baked ham and corned beef which Millie and Karla include in the menu whenever they cater to the Palace banquets. The Plaza has played host to foreign heads of state, such as Pope Paul VI, US Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George H.W. Bush, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Premier Li Hsien Yen of the People’s Republic of China. They also shared their version of the presidents’ favorites. “Marcos Sr., fish and Ilocano food. He had his own cook preparing his meals,” said Karla. “Imelda, steaks and she’s a very good cook. Erap, lechon and our boiled Angus corned beef and baked ham. GMA and husband Mike, The Plaza ham. PNoy, barbecue and angus tapa.” She added: “For Duterte, we didn’t get to serve him up close and personal. We catered an event at Malacañang but he came like five hours late to his own event so he didn’t eat anymore.” [caption id="attachment_161358" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Bulak Bustaliño at the Arlegui Guest House in 1996. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF kusina ni maria[/caption] Kusina ni Maria During the time of Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos, Kusina ni Maria would also cater to Malacañang events, including special occasions at the Arlegui Guest House, where Cory and FVR lived during their time while holding government affairs in the Executive Building. Among their favorites were lengua con setas, chicken relleno, callos a la Madrileña, zarzuela de mariscos, grilled blue marlin, sarsiadong bias, paksiw na bihud, asadong curacha, tostadong alimango, kare-kare oxtail with bagoong, lao-ya, minaisang kabute and pancit buko. “Same dishes as what we have now,” said Ding Bustaliño, who now runs Kusina ni Maria founded by her late mom Bulak Bustaliño in 1984. “I used to join my mom in Arlegui when she would check the table setting, flowers and those were the food she would serve.” The real jewels in the Palace — made up of the virtual who’s who in Philippine cuisine — are in the kitchen. The post Jewels in the Palace kitchen appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
India announces new French fighter jet deal as Modi visits Paris
India announced a new multi-billion-dollar deal for French fighter jets on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Paris for a two-day trip that will see him feted as the guest of honor during France's national day celebrations. India's defense ministry said that the country intended to order 26 more Rafale jets as well as another three Scorpene-class submarines, with the price and other terms still being worked out. India is one of the biggest buyers of French arms, and Modi announced a landmark deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets during a 2015 trip to Paris that was worth around 4.0 billion euros at the time. Some of those Indian-piloted Rafales will take part in a flypast on Friday during France's Bastille Day military parade where Modi will sit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron as guest of honour. "This closeness is not limited to just the leaders of two countries, it is in fact a reflection of the unwavering friendship between India and France," Modi told an enthusiastic crowd of Indians living in France on Thursday evening. Despite differences over the war in Ukraine and tensions over human rights in India, Western democracies are courting Modi and India as a counterweight to China in Asia. Macron's red carpet welcome comes weeks after Modi was given the rare honor of a White House state dinner in Washington -- a city he was once banned from visiting. "India is one of the pillars of our Indo-Pacific strategy," an aide to Macron told reporters this week on condition of anonymity. Human rights But amid the pomp and diplomatic courting in France, a resolution from the European Parliament on Thursday served as a reminder of Modi's controversial leadership style and Hindu nationalist agenda that has critics at home and abroad. Sitting in Strasbourg in eastern France, EU parliamentarians approved a motion that urged India to end violence in the country's restive northeastern Manipur state and to protect minorities there. Clashes between the majority Meitei, who are mostly Hindus, and the mainly Christian Kuki tribe have left at least 120 people dead, 50,000 displaced and over 1,700 houses destroyed, the parliament said. It criticized the "nationalistic rhetoric" of the local state government, run by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi's role during Bastille Day in France was "an affront not only to India's minority communities, journalists and human rights defenders but also to India as a democracy," the text's chief negotiator, Pierre Larrouturou, said. A protest called against Modi drew only a few dozen people in central Paris on Thursday. Strategic partnership Modi has visited France four times since Macron came to power in 2017, while Macron was honored with a state visit to New Delhi in 2018. Aides on both sides have talked up the personal chemistry between the two leaders and pointed to cooperation on climate change, space technology, and nuclear power as part of a 25-year-old "strategic partnership" between France and India. Modi told the French newspaper Les Echos that bilateral trade had doubled in the last nine years and Macron's "thinking really matches ours". India and France "are naturally compatible" and "we see France as one of our foremost global partners," Modi added. Few observers expect Macron to raise rights concerns with Modi publicly. "The fact that explains France's relative success in this relationship is that unlike the US, the UK, Canada, Germany and a few other European countries, you've hardly seen France commenting on the internal affairs of India," Constantino Xavier from the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, a New Delhi-based think tank, said this week. "That has been appreciated on the Indian side." Modi has been dogged by allegations he was complicit in religious violence during his tenure as chief minister of the western state of Gujarat in 2002 when around 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in sectarian riots. The Indian government and judicial probes have cleared him of culpability. Since his first crushing electoral victory in 2014, he has also been denounced by rights groups for increased discrimination and violence towards the country's Muslims, as well as stifling independent media. "Diversity is the biggest strength of our democracy," he told the meeting on Thursday evening that also lauded the country's economic growth. Many European and American businesses, including US tech giant Apple, are ramping up production there to mitigate the threat of supply chain disruptions from China. The war in Ukraine has heightened concerns in the West about the risk of conflicts disrupting the flow of key raw materials and technology from China, but it has also exposed a rift with India. New Delhi, which has long sought to balance its ties with Moscow and the West, has declined to condemn Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and has emerged as a top buyer of discounted Russian oil during the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The post India announces new French fighter jet deal as Modi visits Paris appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The future of Home Design
Designing complex products and solutions such as trains, home appliances and sanitaryware for different markets has helped award-winning designer Antoine Besseyre des Horts develop a strong ability to create culturally relevant solutions that empower people to address their daily needs and aspirations. [caption id="attachment_151750" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF LIXIL | Award-winning French designer Antoine Besseyre des Horts.[/caption] “It (design) is indeed about providing emotional and practical benefits at the same time. However, delivering good design requires a holistic approach of the creative process,” Des Horts told Daily Tribune. When working for an organization or brand, designing a new product or solution implies to deliver on a specific purpose and promise — to address the unmet needs and aspirations of identified target audiences, to limit the impact of the development, the manufacturing and marketing of the product or solution onto our planet yet ensure feasibility and viability. Knowing how to balance all these different parameters and requirements is key to drive value for the organization or brand and society. As leader of Lixil Global Design Asia, Des Horts heads an international and multidisciplinary team with studios in Singapore and Shanghai providing creative direction to translate LIXIL brands’ — Grohe, American Standard and Inax — strategies into culturally relevant consumer experiences through product, packaging, environment and communication. Prior to Lixil, he worked at Grohe in Dusseldorf, Germany, where he successfully led design projects of fittings, showers, accessories, ceramics, furniture and electronic devices for the European, American and Asian markets. Prior to Grohe, Des Horts has worked with prestigious agencies: Alstom Design & Styling in Paris as a transportation designer, designing trains and tramways; London-based branding agency Landor as a brand-experience designer; Electrolux Group in Italy as an industrial designer of home appliances. [caption id="attachment_151745" align="aligncenter" width="587"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF american standard | CITY vanity cabinet[/caption] “When it comes to design, I often use this quote ‘People ignore design that ignores people’ by Frank Chimero. Designers are genuinely driven by a desire to create solutions to positively impact people’s lives. Therefore, design is all about relevance and can be used as a driving force for meaningful and purposeful innovation. This is why companies, as we are living in a time of exponential change, are more and more leveraging design in order to stay relevant to their target audiences in the different parts of the world,” Des Horts said. In market and consumer-centric research, it is noted that the bathroom and kitchen industry in the region is recovering, driven not only by economic recovery but also consumer needs which are shifting along three macro trends: Health and wellbeing, sustainability and rapid urbanization. “Consumers are spending more time at home. More attention to physical and mental health and wellbeing. They increasingly view the bathroom as a spa or wellness area,” des Horts said. [caption id="attachment_151747" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GROHE | GROHE spa[/caption] Another obvious change, he adds, is higher awareness and appreciation for good hygiene especially for public places with high human traffic such as shopping malls, airports and hospitals. However, there is also an increased consumer concern for cleanliness and hygiene at home. “This is increasing demand for technologies such as touchless faucets, antimicrobial ceramics and smart toilets with automatic cleaning, disinfection functions to safeguard the health of their loved ones,” he said. When it comes to sustainability, consumers are leaning toward brands and products that help the planet without compromising the customer experience. [caption id="attachment_151749" align="aligncenter" width="852"] Grohe’s water surface installation at Pinacoteca di Brera, a public gallery in Milan.[/caption] “Finally, we observe that rapid urbanization is placing pressure on transforming the one function room into a multi-functional living space. This creates an urgent need to reimagine and plan innovative solutions for better homes,” he adds. These three macro trends are influencing consumers to seek out fittings and fixtures that act as smart, intuitive helpers that simplify everyday routines — as the borders of the bathroom and bedroom, as well as kitchen and living room, are dissolving. [caption id="attachment_151748" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF GROHE | GROHE Allure Bathroom.[/caption] For example, bathrooms are also becoming a place for rejuvenation and relaxation, where one can escape to and recuperate from the daily stress of work. Bathrooms can include functions and products that emulate a spa-like experience for improved physical and mental sense of well-being. LIXIL has American Standard’s EasySET Exposed shower system and Grohe’s SPA AquaSymphony. Each has different types of sprays that offer physiological benefits, advanced temperature controls to provide comfort and safety, as well as intuitive outlet controls for daily convenience and fuss-free experiences. Des Horts said, “We also note a growing demand for color customization. We are responding to this with a variety of high-quality colors fittings across our American Standard, Grohe and Grohe SPA brands offering means to people to create tailored bathroom spaces that match their personal tastes and aspirations.” “Our aim will continue to be about developing and leveraging technologies which are meaningful by providing practical and emotional benefits that truly enhance people’s daily lives. The great thing about consumers in most Asian countries such as Philippines is that they adopt new technologies and adapt to them very fast. We are continuously striving at making it worthwhile to visit our branded spaces. We want to go beyond the traditional showrooms by offering multi-sensorial experiences that enhance the way people interact with our purposefully designed products, meaningful technologies and customization options to suit their lifestyles and living spaces,” concluded Des Horts. The post The future of Home Design appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Equalizer in place
On 10 March 2022, a couple of weeks before President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ended and after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez announced a sharp turn in policy after Duterte said he was ready to open the country’s military facilities to American forces under the improved Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA. Duterte then announced in his patented permutation of events that the Philippines had no choice but to allow the Americans access to local military installations if Russia’s war against Ukraine intensified and embroiled the United States. Romualdez thereafter revealed that the “President stated that if they (the United States) are asking for the support of the Philippines, it’s obvious that, of course, if push comes to shove, the Philippines will be ready to be part of the effort, especially if this Ukrainian crisis spills over into the Asian region.” Duterte added that in the event of an emergency, “the Philippines would allow US forces to return to the former naval station at Subic Bay and the nearby Clark Air Base.” The growing worry was that Beijing might take a page out of Russia’s playbook by applying gray zone operations, conducting hybrid warfare, and using force to acquire and eventually annex disputed territories. Thus, the implication, according to the American policy think tank Brookings Institution, that the Duterte administration expressed its willingness to allow American forces to use the Philippines as a staging ground in a Taiwan contingency. Before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in June 2022, Manila and Washington appeared to have struck a deal regarding their complementary roles. On 2 February, Philippine and US defense officials announced that the US military would be given new access to four Armed Forces of the Philippines bases nationwide under the enhanced EDCA. The two allies sought to expand the US strategic footprint in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region in the face of an aggressive and expansionist China. Negotiated by the two countries during US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s second visit to the Philippines, the improved EDCA increased the number of bases from five to nine. While it was billed as an agreement for rapid deployment of relief materials during emergencies and calamities, it was obvious that the United States can use the new sites for training, setting up equipment, and building runways and other facilities. Inside the EDCA camps, American forces will be allowed to build warehouses, living quarters, joint facilities, and store combat materiel — except for nuclear weapons which are prohibited by the Philippine Constitution. There was only limited construction of EDCA sites during Duterte’s six-year term. Nevertheless, the United States has allocated over $82 million for infrastructure investments at the five original EDCA sites. These investments support economic growth and job creation in the local communities. The decision to increase the number of joint locations was made in October 2022, when the United States sought to deploy more of its forces and weapons to the new joint military camps, mainly in the central northern Luzon region, which the 160-mile Luzon Strait separates from the self-governed island of Taiwan. This development coincided with the US and Filipino forces expanding their joint combat and disaster response training in preparation for future contingency operations in the South China Sea — which lies to the Philippines’ west, and the Taiwan Strait, which is north of the country’s Luzon region. In 2022, the newly formed 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, or MLR, deployed several combat concepts with the Philippine Marine Corps Coastal Defense Regiment in provinces on the Luzon Strait. By prepositioning MLR equipment in northeastern Luzon, “US Marines could respond more quickly in a crisis over Taiwan or aid the US military’s power projection into the Luzon Strait and South China Sea,” a Brookings Institute analysis said. The post Equalizer in place appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Video of tourism slogan just a primer — Frasco
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco on Wednesday clarified that the video that was unveiled on Tuesday, coinciding with the launch of its new campaign "Love the Philippines", is just a primer and may be developed in the coming days or weeks. Frasco’s clarification was amid the disappointment of Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Sarte Salceda for not including on the said video the majestic Mayon Volcano, the natural wonder representing his province, Albay. Salceda, in a statement on Wednesday, aired his displeasure to her friend Frasco for seemingly forgetting Mayon Volcano on the video of the tourism campaign. “I remain disappointed in my friend, Secretary Frasco, for the exclusion of Mayon Volcano in the new official tourism video of the Philippines. I am more disappointed in the response that I should not bring this issue up because, anyway, Mayon is included in the 50 major volcanoes and mountains represented (by a pixel!) in the official tourism logo and slogan,” the lawmaker said. Frasco was quick to answer, saying she recognizes their ties as allies and family friends for many years, extolling Salceda being a staunch ally for Philippine Tourism, “especially with his successes as the governor of Albay and we certainly honor and recognize the contributions of the province to the tourism portfolio of the country.” “The tourism video that has just been released by the Department of Tourism is only the beginning; for indeed, there is just so much to love about our country. So, I assure Congressman Joey Salceda that our effort to promote equally our destinations in the country will continue,” Frasco said. “This is just the beginning to give the world a flavor and a taste of the Philippines,” she added. Further, the Tourism secretary maintained that the Department is holding the "Philippine Experience: Heritage, Culture, and Arts Caravan" in the Bicol Region, adding, “It would have been this July but given the circumstances in the region at the moment, tentatively it has been set for August and our regional offices have been in coordination with our local government units there.” The hurt Salceda said in his statement that he expressed his frustration because tourism is disproportionately more crucial in Albay, and Bicol at large. “This is how thousands of Albayano families make a living. It would not have cost much to include just a scene of Mayon, but it would have meant the world to Albay families relying on tourism for their bread and butter,” he said. Moreover, the lawmaker stressed that Albay has the only international airport in South Luzon—Bicol International Airport, which the government calls "the most scenic international gateway in the country." He said per capita, Albay is one of the country's most important tourist destinations, while pre-pandemic, it attracted 1.32 tourists per resident, while the top region, Central Visayas, attracts just 1.17, and the national average is 0.55. “Bicol's economy depends heavily on tourism, more so than the rest of the country. Last year, accommodation and food service (the most direct sector affected by tourism) was 1.93% of total regional GDP, while the national average was 1.80 percent,” he said. “Just to demonstrate how affirmative support from the national government can be a game-changer for tourism: When I was governor of Albay, we increased foreign tourist arrivals from 8,700 in 2006 to 374,000 in 2015. Total tourist arrivals swelled from 123,000 to 1.4 million over the same period,” Salceda underlined. On the other hand, he said, “Mayon deserves better than a pixel in the logo where you need strained eyes to see it. Mayon has been a national symbol and a national treasure (one of only three UNESCO-declared biosphere reserves in the country).” Watch the video here: The post Video of tourism slogan just a primer — Frasco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»