12 Gifts of Christmas from AyalaMalls Central Bloc
Merry sights, dazzling lights and an air of cheer are the telltale signs that Christmas is just around the corner. AyalaMalls Central Bloc thrills shoppers in this season of shopping and giving with its 12 Gifts of Christmas. From December 1 to 20, present a single receipt worth at least PHP 500 from any AyalaMalls […] The post 12 Gifts of Christmas from AyalaMalls Central Bloc appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
12 Gifts of Christmas from AyalaMalls Central Bloc
Merry sights, dazzling lights and an air of cheer are the telltale signs that Christmas is just around the corner. AyalaMalls Central Bloc thrills shoppers in this season of shopping and giving with its 12 Gifts of Christmas. From December 1 to 20, present a single receipt worth at least PHP 500 from any AyalaMalls […] The post 12 Gifts of Christmas from AyalaMalls Central Bloc appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Parking Perks for Early Shoppers at AyalaMalls Central Bloc
There are many benefits to starting the day early like avoiding the morning rush and getting more things done. Plus, an early start allows one to enjoy a delicious breakfast with a good cup of coffee before work and errands. As a treat for early shoppers, Ayala Malls Central Bloc is giving the first 100 […] The post Parking Perks for Early Shoppers at AyalaMalls Central Bloc appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Six ways to celebrate Sinulog at AyalaMalls Central Bloc
The Sinulog festival has always been a highly-anticipated occasion with activities such as processions, novena masses, the mardi gras, and get-togethers. This year, the celebration has been scaled down for health and safety but it remains to be a celebration of Cebuano faith, culture, and tradition. Here are six ways to celebrate Sinulog at AyalaMalls […] The post Six ways to celebrate Sinulog at AyalaMalls Central Bloc appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Celebrate Halloween with AyalaMalls Central Bloc
Traditional, door-to-door trick or treating may be canceled this year but with today’s modern and digitally connected world, celebrating the spookiest time of the year is still possible. Here are four ways AyalaMalls Central Bloc is treating kids in Cebu: Halloween Wardrobe Get creative and dress the kids up in their favorite BOO-tiful characters. Snap […] The post Celebrate Halloween with AyalaMalls Central Bloc appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Ayala Malls Central Bloc’s DriveBuy let’s you pick up your shopping needs without leaving your car
As the city starts to slowly open its doors again, many are still hesitant to leave their homes. Establishments have undertaken measures to ensure safe and regularly sanitized spaces for their customers while also offering alternatives that will further give a sense of security. AyalaMalls Central Bloc in Cebu I.T. Park offers convenient shopping through […] The post Ayala Malls Central Bloc’s DriveBuy let’s you pick up your shopping needs without leaving your car appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Essential goods and services remain open at AyalaMalls Central Bloc
AyalaMalls Central Bloc continues to provide essential goods and services to Cebuanos amidst the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Cebu City. For essentials, Cebuanos can go to Metro Supermarket for groceries, Rose Pharmacy for medicines, and True Value for hardware needs. Metrobank is also open to accommodate banking transactions. Among the restaurants open for take-out and […] The post Essential goods and services remain open at AyalaMalls Central Bloc appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Davao City fire razes 350 houses
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 27 December)—Just two days after Christmas, residents of Barangay Leon Garcia here were awakened by a huge fire that razed around 350 houses early morning Wednesday. According to Fire Officer 2 Rafael Joshua Neri from the Davao Central Fire Station, the fire originated from the second floor of Ron Ron Sarabia’s […].....»»
Utzurrum: Multi-awarded Seda Central Bloc
Utzurrum: Multi-awarded Seda Central Bloc.....»»
EcoWaste Coalition Holds 'Iwas Paputoxic' Campaignfor Healthier and Safer New Year Celebrations
22 December 2023, Quezon City. As Christmas nears and as the year draws to a close, the EcoWaste Coalition called on every Filipino to stay away from the Chinese-influenced tradition of detonating firecrackers and fireworks to usher in the New Year.In an "Iwas Paputoxic Community Program and Parade" held in Barangay Central, Quezon City, the advoc.....»»
EcoWaste Coalition Holds 'Iwas Paputoxic' Campaignfor Healthier and Safer New Year Celebrations
22 December 2023, Quezon City. As Christmas nears and as the year draws to a close, the EcoWaste Coalition called on every Filipino to stay away from the Chinese-influenced tradition of detonating firecrackers and fireworks to usher in the New Year.In an "Iwas Paputoxic Community Program and Parade" held in Barangay Central, Quezon City, the advoc.....»»
DSWD chief thanks Media partners for helping fight fake news
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian thanked the members of the Media for keeping the public informed about the programs and services of the department and for helping fight fake news during the first-ever Christmas party with DSWD Beat Reporters held at the New Press Center at the Central Office on […].....»»
Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes
Five Myanmar nationals asked the Philippines on Wednesday to investigate alleged war crimes committed by 10 serving or former members of Myanmar's military against the mainly Christian Chin minority. Filipino lawyers representing the Myanmar nationals told reporters they lodged the "landmark" criminal complaint against junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and nine others at the Department of Justice in Manila. They asked prosecutors to open an investigation into alleged war crimes under a Philippine law penalising "crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity". The five Myanmar nationals are from western Chin state, but now live in Australia, Britain, Canada and India. They were at the justice department in Manila. "This is a landmark suit because this is the very first time that such a case is being brought before the Philippines," Romel Bagares, one of the lawyers, told reporters. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said his department would "evaluate" the complaint, which he described as "very novel". "If this is sufficient in form and substance, that's the time when we will require the respondents to answer these complaints," Remulla told reporters. Among the accused is Chin Chief Minister Vung Suan Thang, who is a former military officer. The others are serving members of the military. The complaint alleged that members of Myanmar's military killed a pastor and two church elders in Thantlang town, Chin, in September 2021. It also accused the 10 of "intentionally" directing attacks on churches and the burning of hundreds of houses in the same town between August 2021 and June 2022. They also allegedly blocked relief supplies from reaching people in Chin state in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in May. 'Truly historic day' Philippine law allows for the prosecution of war crimes committed elsewhere. One of the stipulations of the law is that the accused must be present in the Philippines. According to Gilbert Andres, another Filipino lawyer representing the Myanmar nationals, if the Philippine justice department were to decide to mount a case against the 10 accused, it could issue subpoenas to Myanmar's Central Authority or go through diplomatic channels. The toppling of Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in a 2021 coup sparked a huge backlash and the military junta is now battling opponents across swaths of Myanmar. Some of the bloodiest fighting has been happening in Christian-majority areas, including in Chin state. "This is a truly historic day," Salai Ling, one of the five complainants and also of the Chin Human Rights Organization, told reporters in Manila. "We are really hoping that with the solidarity and support from the Filipino people and people in the ASEAN region, that we will be able to get some form of justice for the atrocities that our people suffered." Myanmar and the Philippines belong to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The regional bloc's efforts to defuse the Myanmar crisis have been fruitless so far. The Philippines is now the subject of an international human rights probe, with the Hague-based International Criminal Court investigating "possible crimes against humanity" during former president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drugs crackdown. In July, President Ferdinand Marcos said the Philippines was "done talking with the ICC" but would continue to question the tribunal's jurisdiction. The post Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl economy still strongest this year — RCBC
The Philippine economy will remain among Asia’s strongest in the fourth quarter despite a possible higher interest rate because of strong consumer demand for certain products and services and more employed Filipinos, the chief economist of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation said Saturday. “This growth forecast is still among the fastest in the region because our economy is doing well,” RCBC’s Michael Ricafort said. The World Bank recently downgraded this year’s Philippine economic growth to 5.6 percent from 6 percent due to inflation risks, apart from lower government spending and weaker demand for exports. However, it is still higher than China’s 5.1 percent, Indonesia’s 4.9 percent, and Malaysia’s 4.3 percent growth forecast. Ricafort said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) might raise its policy rate this year to slow inflation to 4 percent by year-end after it accelerated again to 6.1 percent last month. “The BSP is working to bring down prices of goods and services. As an unintended consequence, the economy could slow down. Borrowing costs for business owners also increase and consumer demand weakens,” he said. Ricafort said global oil prices have started falling which could discourage the central bank from raising its rate drastically. “Global oil prices have declined to $82 to $83 per barrel from a peak of $95 per barrel last month or since the war between oil-rich countries Russia and Ukraine began,” the economist said. He also expected a downtrend in rice prices starting this month as he said local farmers have begun collecting fresh harvests. “Inflation quickened last month mainly from higher prices of rice which accounted for nearly 9 percent of the inflation basket and grew 17 percent year-on-year,” Ricafort said. While a higher interest rate aims to slow consumption, Ricafort said the continued flow of remittances from overseas Filipino workers, or at least 3 percent growth yearly will still support substantial levels of consumer spending, especially during the Christmas season. “That is more than $40 billion a year. That’s the fourth largest in the world after India, China and Mexico,” the economist said. He added more Filipinos or 800,000 could earn from business process outsourcing or BPO this year as the industry’s revenue could rise from $32.5 billion to $59 billion based on data from the Contact Center Association of the Philippines. Another growth area is tourism, which Ricafort said saw 4 million foreign visitors last month, nearing the 4.8 million full-year target of the government. He added higher productivity among Filipinos is also expected as the country’s unemployment rate declined to 4.4 percent in August from 4.8 percent in July, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. Moving forward, Ricafort said the government must improve science and technology education for higher quality jobs and increase spending on infrastructure amid the full reopening of most economies. “We are now fully reopened. Students are also back in schools which encourages putting up food businesses. Labor market in the US also improved which will affect export trade,” he said. Ricafort added the government could continue distributing financial and other assistance to farmers to control inflation. He believed the inflation rate will approach 3 percent next year, close to the ideal 2 percent for healthier economic growth. The post Phl economy still strongest this year — RCBC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lacuna keeping ‘guerilla’ vendors out
With the Christmas season just around the corner, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has issued an order allowing Divisoria, central hub of all retail and wholesale business in the country, to retain its organized set–up to discourage those who may take advantage of the season to create chaos. The order comes amid reports that some illegal vendors are sprouting in the vending sites, affecting legitimate sidewalk vendors. In reaction, a joint operation was conducted by the Department of Public Services, DEPW (Department of Engineering and Public Works) , and MTPB (Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau) on the streets of El Cano, M. Delos Santos, Tabora and Sto. Cristo where all vendors were temporarily cleared to give way for the general cleaning that included a flushing job, collection of garbage, de clogging of canals, bundling of cables, and marking of lines to determine the area for vending. The middle portion is for pedestrians and also some parking areas. Lacuna made sure that Divisoria would no longer be the old one during his administration as she vowed to continue that no vendors could occupy main roads such as CM Recto which were converted into vending sites then. It was learned that several complaints were received by the office of Lacuna which led her to order an inspection. It was later verified to be true. Part of the area ordered inspected is Ylaya street where uniformed stalls were provided by the city during former Mayor Isko Moreno’s time that no violations were made and were kept clean by legitimate vendors as they hired their own street cleaners to maintain the area. It was noted that during these “BER” months some new vendors may come in as “guerilla” stalls, quietly appearing until it grows and becomes uncontrollable said the source. “This is the silent order of Lacuna in her desire to keep order in Divisoria as she started setting her eye in the area since the opening of classes where shoppers trooped to the said market to avail school supplies at much-lowered prices,” a source who requested anonymity said. The post Lacuna keeping ‘guerilla’ vendors out appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Greek fires rage unabated for a week
Greek firefighters struggled on Friday to contain scores of blazes stretching nationwide -- the largest fires in the European Union this year. The biggest fire front was in the Evros region close to the Turkish border, near the northern port city of Alexandroupoli, where a mega blaze that erupted on Saturday raged untamed. "Unfortunately Evros is the most active part of all the fronts we are facing at the moment and perhaps the most difficult section that we will face today," fire department spokesman Yiannis Artopios told state television ERT on Friday. The fire was consuming the Dadia forest, one of the major areas in Europe for birds of prey. The Alexandroupoli wildfires are now the largest in the EU on record for 2023 and the second largest since 2000, according to the bloc. The bodies of 19 people believed to be migrants, two of them children, were found in the area this week. "At the moment there is no big active front on Mount Parnitha," near Athens, Artopios said. A third large fire was still blazing in Boeotia, north of Athens, but the conditions were improved. A shepherd lost his life in the fires in this area on Monday. Authorities blamed arsonists for the multiple fronts that have emerged simultaneously in the country during the past few days. Artopios said investigations into the arsons now involve thed national intelligence service and the fire prevention department. A very high fire risk is forecast on Friday for central Greece and Athens. Fires had scorched more than 120,000 hectares (nearly 30,000 acres) of land across Greece in 2023 until Wednesday, according to estimates from the National Observatory. This year's burned land area is three times larger than the average annually since 2006, according to the European Observatory of Forest Fires. nks/ach © Agence France-Presse Add to cart Print Download The post Greek fires rage unabated for a week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nothing can drag a Boholana down
No pandemic, nor deadly natural catastrophe can bring down a Boholana: this is the living faith by which Lourdes Sultan, managing director of Travel Village Tours and Travel and owner of several vessels which comprise the Loboc River Cruise in Bohol, lives by. Sultan, a tour operator in Loboc for the past 35 years, is a perfect epitome of a resilient Filipina who did not falter while going through such major upheavals as typhoon “Odette” in 2021 that wrecked her vessels; the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Bohol in 2013 and the perennial flooding in Loboc, and the global pandemic that shut down international borders, barring the arrival of tourists in the country. “The floating restaurant business here in Loboc started 30 years ago but in 2000, we decided to dwell in the floating restaurant operation. We used to have eight vessels, but after typhoon “Odette” hit us in December 2021, we are now left with four,” said Sultan in an interview. She said that pre-pandemic, there were 26 vessels plying the Loboc River serving foreign and local tourists, but the number was diminished because of the unfortunate wrath of natural catastrophes. Pandemic, ‘Odette’ challenge She said the strong earthquake in 2013, the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and the pummeling of the province by typhoon “Odette” in 2021 were the worst challenges that her enterprise has endured. “The pandemic made us totally close operations. During that time, we tried to maintain and improve our vessels in preparation for the reopening of borders. Indeed, losses with Odette and the pandemic were in the millions,” she told the Daily Tribune. Aside from that, Sultan said operators of floating restaurants were also required by the local government to update their vessels, making them shell out additional costs. In 2021, Sultan said tourist arrivals trickled, as some restrictions were modified and eased by the Inter-Agency Task Force of the national government. “Even if we only cater to domestic customers, we were more hopeful back then. But amid the high hopes, typhoon “Odette” hit us on 16 December 2021—a strong typhoon during an enduring contagion. We decided to let go of some workers. But luckily, we hired them back when things got better in March 2022,” she shared. Typhoon “Odette,” that pummeled Bohol before Christmas Day, was considered by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as the worst ever to hit the province, prompting the Provincial Capitol to declare a state of calamity after incurring massive devastation on agriculture and infrastructure and inundated swaths to the island. Not yet pre-pandemic She said, however, that the tourism industry in Loboc is not yet in the pre-pandemic state, saying that foot traffic is only at 70 percent to date, even if they are fully booked during daily operations, especially weekends. “Revenge travel is real. The influx of domestic travelers is greater now compared to pre-pandemic. Aside from local tourists, European and Asian tourists are now coming back,” she said. As of July 2023, the Department of Tourism logged a total of 3,000,079 international visitor arrivals. On the other hand, the country’s inbound tourism receipts from 1 January to 30 June 2023 climbed to P212 billion or 502.02 percent higher than the P35-billion tourism revenue generated from the same period last year. Support for DoT program Sultan, also the president of the Bohol Federation of Travel and Tour Operators and an officer of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council, said she is backing the DoT program Faith-based Tourism Circuits, as part of the department’s thrust to develop new tourism circuits and multi-dimensional tourism products. Last 14 to 17 August, the DoT Central Visayas, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol, organized a familiarization tour of Bohol’s Faith-based Tourism Circuits, with the aim to promote and showcase Bohol’s historical and cultural assets specifically its century-old churches, heritage houses, religious landmarks and living cultural traditions. Through Bohol’s Faith-based Tourism Circuits, participants, including members of the media, visited some of Bohol’s heritage churches declared as National Historical Landmarks or cultural treasures and experienced a few of their inherent traditions such as Asin Tibuok, among others. The main highlight of the tour was the canonical crowning of the image of the Virgen de la Asunción of the Municipality of Dauis, officiated by Papal Nuncio Charles Brown last 15 August. “The direction is we do not want the churches to be just tourist spots, but for tourists to have a glimpse of the spiritual component,” according to Sultan. The post Nothing can drag a Boholana down appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mandaue City, USJ-R, UCLM, shine in two separate Esports events
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two Esports events happened in Cebu on Saturday, July 29, 2023, after the Cesafi Esports League (CEL) and the Cebu Esports Arena (CEA) took center stage in different venues. The CEA Invitational tournament happened at the Ayala Malls Central Bloc, while the CEL Pre-Season Tournament was held online. At the Ayala […] The post Mandaue City, USJ-R, UCLM, shine in two separate Esports events appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
DILG hosts Kadiwa activity at central office
The Department of the Interior and Local Government hosted the Kadiwa ng Pangulo at the DILG Central Office on Friday, bringing low-cost agricultural products and other products of small and medium enterprises to employees of the DILG and the National Police Commission in Quezon City. This was part of the celebration of National Nutrition Month, where DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said the Department is one of the first national government agencies to host the KNP on its premises. He said conducting KNP in DILG premises will allow department employees to buy low-cost and fresh goods straight from the producers since they, like the others, should also benefit from this good program of the President and are not exempt from rising food costs. “We are planning to hold this activity monthly and as the Christmas season approaches, we will do it twice a month,” Abalos said. The DILG secretary said the project is already being implemented in the local government units, where KNP market days are set on the 15th and 30th days of each month. He said local governments provide for free sites for the activity, for example, a basketball court or the provincial capitol or municipal hall. The Department of Agriculture brings the farmers and their produce, and the Department of Trade and Industry takes care of the products of SMEs. “Only Philippine products are sold so each LGU can promote the fruits and vegetables that are grown in their locality as well as their local dry goods,” he said. In addition to fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat food and processed meat were sold at the eighth floor of the DILG Central Office as well as organic fruit juices and concentrates. SMEs sold bags and apparel and leather goods like wallets, belts and shoes. On the other hand, the Department of Social Welfare and Development showcased its livelihood assistance projects, while the National Nutrition Council and the Cooperative Development Authority promoted proper diet and cooperative participation. The post DILG hosts Kadiwa activity at central office appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DILG brings low-cost agri, SME products through Kadiwa ng Pangulo
The Department of the Interior and Local Government hosted the Kadiwa ng Pangulo in the DILG Central Office on Friday, bringing low-cost agricultural products and other products of small and medium enterprises to employees of the DILG and the National Police Commission in Quezon City. This was part of the celebration of National Nutrition Month, where DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said the Department is one of the first national government agencies that hosted the KNP on its premises. Abalos said conducting KNP in DILG premises will allow Department employees to buy low-cost and fresh goods straight from the producers since they, like the others, should also benefit from this good program of the President and are not exempt from rising food costs. “We are planning to hold this activity monthly and as the Christmas season approaches, we will do it twice a month,” Abalos said. The DILG Secretary said the project is already being implemented in the local government units, where KNP market days are set on the 15th and 30th days of each month. The Department of Agriculture brings the farmers and their produce, and the Department of Trade and Industry takes care of the products of SMEs. “Only Philippine products are sold so each LGU can promote the fruits and vegetables that are grown in their locality as well as their local dry goods,” he said. In addition to fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat food and processed meat were sold as well as organic fruit juices and concentrates. SMEs sold bags and apparel and leather goods like wallets, belts, and shoes. The Department of Social Welfare and Development also showcased its livelihood assistance projects, while the National Nutrition Council and the Cooperative Development Authority promoted proper diet and cooperative participation. Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will pay the wages of those who transported the products and the builders of the stalls under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program. Launched and spearheaded by the DA in 2019, in collaboration with the DILG and the Food Terminal Inc, KNP is a program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. which seeks to empower the farming community by providing a direct and effective farm-to-consumer food supply chain. It also gives farmers, fisherfolks as well as micro-SMEs rent-free venues to sell their produce and increase their income. In his second State of the Nation Address, the President said “The Kadiwa system enabled the public to buy goods at cheaper rates and the farmers to sell their crops without having to worry about transportation costs.” The post DILG brings low-cost agri, SME products through Kadiwa ng Pangulo appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bitskwela to Host Web3 Debate in Cebu with Industry Leaders and Influencers
Philippine-based education platform Bitskwela is proud to announce that it will be hosting the grand debate of the “Bull or Bear: Philippine Web3 Debate 2023” on July 15, 2023, at 5 PM, at the Ayala Malls Central Bloc, Cebu IT Park, Cebu City. Themed “Web3: The New Internet – A Debate on Web3 Adoption in […].....»»