Smart brings you the most exquisite Filipino contemporary art at ALT Philippines 2020

After a multitude of reimagined experiences it has brought to its customers, Smart Signature now dares consumers to reimagine the way they see local art. Introducing ALT Philippines 2020, a first-of-its-kind collaborative project among 10 galleries in Manila that aims to not only showcase contemporary Filipino art, but also to reframe the notion of the art show itself.

The landmark art event, which will be held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Aura on February 13 to 16, brings together galleries Artinformal, Blanc, Finale Art File, Galleria Duemila, MO_Space, The Drawing Room, Underground, Vinyl on Vinyl, West Gallery, and 1335 Mabini. This epic collaboration will result in a showcase of over 150 leading contemporary Filipino artists, in a groundbreaking and dynamic way that involves the immersion of viewers and the engagement of artists and professionals.

“We are truly excited to be part of this momentous event in the local art scene. This is just one of the many ways we provide meaningful connections by bringing subscribers closer to their passions,” said Smart President Alfred S. Panlilio. “Through this, we enable our subscribers to live the life they want, including the kind of life fueled by art.”

Amongst the anticipated highlights at ALT Philippines 2020, is the digital art wall that will be brought to life by artist Derek Tumala. “Derek’s work in collaboration with Smart is a coming together of art and technology. His “Pure Impermanence” 10-channel video in portrait orientation mirrors how we view images on our mobile phones. It represents the endless cycle of experience and image-making through a network of fleeting connections,” according to a statement released by ALT Philippines 2020.

Reimagine the way you see art

Smart subscribers will have the opportunity to freely reimagine the way they see art, as they can avail of exclusive passes to ALT Philippines 2020 as part of the elevated customer experience that Smart provides its valued customers.

With Smart Signature Plans, subscribers can also enjoy the best postpaid and overall experience. Smart Signature affords for its subscribers the capacity to live the life they want because their passions are supported by Smart Signature's bigger data allocation and Smart LTE, the undisputed fastest mobile network in the country, as awarded by third-party organizations such as Ookla, OpenSignal, Tutela, and P3 in their respective crowdsource-based studies on mobile internet services in the Philippines.

But Smart doesn’t stop with data and network speed that customers deserve. Smart also serves perks and privileges to its subscribers, in this case, the levelled-up Signature lifestyle that allows loyal customers to pursue their love for art by getting free tickets and ticket discounts to ALT 2020 Philippines.

To score tickets and discounts to ALT 2020, Smart Postpaid subscribers may submit their entries by answering the question, “What are you looking forward to the most at ALT 2020?” Just go to the comment’s section of Smart’s ALT 2020 ticket giveaway post on Facebook and include the hashtag #SmartALTPH2020.

For more levelled-up love-for-art experiences, follow Smart on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications or @ReimaginePH on Instagram. Keep tabs on the hashtags #Reimagine and #SmartALTPH2020 for more updates as well as ALT Philippines on social media at Alt Philippines on Facebook and @altphilippines on Instagram.

Click on the link for additional event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/222715622076541.

PAL cancels flights from China, Hong Kong, Macau until March 28

(February 12, 2020) — Philippine Airlines (PAL) extended its cancellation of flights from China, Hong Kong, and Macau until March 28 an advisory said Monday.

According to PAL, flights between Manila and Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Quanzhou (Jinjiang), Hong Kong, and Macau will remain cancelled.

“We are compelled to cancel these flights until March 28 in view of the continuing travel restrictions imposed by the Philippine Government as a public health and safety measure, related to the novel coronavirus situation,” the advisory read.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Feb. 2 ordered a ban on the entry of foreign travelers coming directly from China, Hong Kong and Macau or who have a history of travel to those places within the last 14 days. Filipinos and holders of permanent resident visas issued by the Philippines are allowed to enter the country but subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Filipinos are also barred from flying to those places.

“As there is no definite end date to the travel ban and thus no certainty that we may resume flying after March 28, we are unable to carry out automatic flight re-accommodations for passengers of cancelled flights.”

Once the travel ban is lifted and the flights are reinstated, passengers can “rebook, reroute, or refund tickets within the ticket’s validity period, with rebooking, rerouting, or refund serve fees waived,” the statement said.

The airline was mum about flights to Taiwan. On Monday, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said Taiwan has been included in the temporary travel ban, although it was enforced late last week and was not part of Duterte's initial order.

Domingo pointed out that the World Health Organization considers Taiwan as part of China. The Philippines also follows a "One-China" policy that recognizes China and limits relations with Taiwan to cultural and economic ties.

China considers the self-administered island of Taiwan as its province.

AirAsia prioritizes health and sanitary management for guest safety

MANILA, 7 February 2020 - AirAsia wishes to inform its guests that it has implemented a mandatory temperature screening of all passengers prior to boarding any domestic and international Z2 flight.

Screening is part of precautionary measures that AirAsia has put in place to safeguard its guests given the current health situation and in view of its core value of safety always.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said, “From the moment guests book their flight to when they pick-up their baggage at their destination, travelers can be assured that AirAsia has taken a step ahead of planning their safety and convenience. We take our responsibility seriously given the health situation the global community is facing today. We thank our guests for their cooperation and understanding.”

At the check-in counter, guests’ temperature will be read by AirAsia staff using a digital infrared thermometer. The same procedure will be done again at the boarding gates. As needed, guests will be endorsed to airport health authorities. 

Aside from temperature screening, AirAsia has also put in place the following sanitary and health measures. 

Protective gear such as face masks and surgical gloves have been provided to ground and cabin crew. Guests may request for surgical masks free of charge upon boarding the plane. All aircraft are also equipped with antibacterial sanitizers compliant with the Bureau of Quarantine. 

All AirAsia aircraft undergo disinfection procedures before and after each flight, with the use of hospital grade disinfectant spray as approved by the Bureau of Quarantine and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

AirAsia’s ground and cabin crew have been adequately trained in identifying and handling passengers showing symptoms, to be endorsed to authorities. 

AirAsia assures that the safety and wellbeing of our guests and Allstars is our top priority. AirAsia is complying with advice and regulations from the local government, civil aviation authorities, global and local health agencies, including the World Health Organization.

We recognize that prompt and proper coordination with our partners in the government remains a crucial part of this commitment. As such, AirAsia will cooperate with the government should there be any request for assistance in their efforts to manage public health. 

AirAsia is closely monitoring this situation and reserves the right to announce further policies according to the latest developments.

Mandatory temperature scanning at the AirAsia check-in counter at NAIA Terminal 3

Follow AirAsia on Twitter (@AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia) for the latest updates, or contact our customer support team at support.airasia.com. Guests are also encouraged to check their flight status at airasia.com/flightstatus for live updates.

DOT and MMDA Launch Pasig River Ferry Tourist Cruise

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Two months after Pasig River Ferry was relaunched, the Department of Tourism and the Metro Manila Development Authority have partnered not only to reduce travel time in Metro Manila and to ease traffic flow in the metropolis but to offer a new way of exploring the Metro both for tourists and locals.

MMDA, in collaboration with the DOT, has agreed to exclusively allocate one 150-seater air-conditioned ferry to service the needs of tourists, both domestic and international, who may want to explore Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong and Makati, using the river transport and its 11 ferry stations.

Dubbed as Pasig River Hop On Hop Off Ferry Tour, the new tour program, as packaged by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Guide to the Philippines and DOT – National Capital Region, will offer two main categories - the Hop On Hop Off Tour and the MICE Program initially using select stations.

The Hop On Hop Off Tour is meant for individuals, small groups and families who want to make use of select ferry stations based on specific time schedules and 1.5 to 3 hours walking tours. Tourists may explore the City of Manila through the Lawton, Escolta and Sta. Ana ferry stations where a tour guide will be waiting to walk you to the iconic attractions of nearby Manila, a heritage tour of Intramuros, Sta. Ana heritage walking tour and the famous culinary tour of Binondo and a photo opportunity of the now famous Jones Bridge. For Makati City, tourists may disembark in Guadalupe and Valenzuela Stations with a waiting guide to help you explore the country’s financial district either through a Poblacion Heritage tour, Makati Skyline, the famous Poblacion Bar crawl and even the nearby cities of San Juan and Mandaluyong through Hulo Station. The packages include a tour guide, entrance fees and survival kit. This is also intended for tourists who want to make use of the regular ferry schedule.

The MICE Program targets corporate clients and big groups who are in Metro Manila for meetings, conventions, incentive trips and business trips on a pre-arranged chartered tour using MMDA’s ferry. Four options are in place such as the one way Guadalupe to Escolta, Escolta to Guadalupe program and the Guadalupe to Guadalupe and Escolta to Escolta return tours.

Guide to the Philippines, DOT’s official online tour aggregator partner, will initially offer using Guadalupe and Valenzuela Stations, an exclusive Poblacion Chocolate Bar Crawl highlighting Makati City’s night life with an interesting twist on both drinks and food using a local Filipino chocolate brand and Escolta Station for the Binondo culinary tour.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, together with select media, travel trade guests and tourism partners such as MMDA and Intramuros Administration, took on the first Pasig River ferry commercial tour starting in Guadalupe Station to try the Poblacion bar crawl and ending in Escolta for a quick photo op of the Jones Bridge and a historical trip of the enhanced and refurbished Intramuros.

“Today we embark on an expanded hub to explore the country’s capital with a new mode of transport forged by our commitment to involve and enable the different sectors of Metro Manila. This is also part of our effort to promote sustainable tourism. As you may well know, the government has just celebrated its first year anniversary of the Battle for Manila Bay and this new tourism offering is our way of contributing towards sustaining a healthier and cleaner Pasig River. We hope to further develop this into a sustainable mode of transport for tourism and the commuting public to further boost the region’s tourism industry”, Secretary Romulo-Puyat said.

Commercial run will commence on March 2020 pending logistical operations and booking facilities. Interested parties may inquire directly with PHILTOA via +632 8812-4513 or email info@philtoa.com and Guide to the Philippines via their website, https://guidetothephilippines.ph/.