DOT launches “Keep the Fun Going” sustainable tourism campaign with gamified challenges

The Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the second phase of the Save Our Spots (SOS) campaign titled, “Keep the Fun Going”, to encourage tourists to practice eco-friendly travels.

The campaign builds on the gains of the SOS phase one that was launched in 2019 to educate travelers about becoming responsible tourists. “Keep the Fun Going” aims not only to educate but also motivate travelers to take part in sustainable tourism practices, mainly through gamified challenges.

“The DOT has been integrating sustainable tourism principles in its projects, programs and policies, even involving tourists to be part of these efforts. Through the SOS campaign, we aim to raise awareness about responsible travel and emphasize that every small act goes a long way to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from and enjoy nature’s abundance,” said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

The Philippines is home to some of the world’s richest ecosystems and diverse species, which are facing both climate change and human threats, such as over tourism and neglect of the environment.

Loboc River Cruise, Bohol. Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

To inspire more tourists to practice sustainable travel, the campaign will highlight a gamified experience featuring four eco-friendly ways to travel. The challenges will be demonstrated through collaboration with local key influencers, after which, the public will be enjoined to accomplish at least two of the four activities, which are:

● The “Certified Foot Soldier Challenge” that encourages travelers to walk, hike, or bike more often;

● The “Zero-Waste Warrior”, which inspires travelers to reduce waste by avoiding single-use plastics and always bringing reusable water bottles, utensils, and shopping bags;

● The “resTOURism Advocate Challenge” that encourages tourists to volunteer in restoration efforts of communities, such as planting activities, clean-up drives, and wildlife preservation; and,

● The “Eco-Staycationer Challenge” that motivates tourists to book in eco-friendly accommodations, such as local homestays or ANAHAW-awardee hotels that take action to promote sustainability.

Participants will have a chance to win by completing at least two challenges and posting them on social media with the following guidelines:

STEP 1. Take a photo of yourself doing the challenges.

For Certified Foot Soldier, you may use an app to track or record your steps or bike ride as proof.

For Eco-staycationer, best if you can include an eco-friendly practice of the establishment in your video. Camping and staycation trips (in a green hotel) are qualified.

STEP 2. Upload your photo.

Put a geotag and write a short description.

STEP 3. Tag the official DOT social media accounts:

Tiktok: tourismphilippines

Instagram: tourism_phl

Facebook: facebook.com/DepartmentOfTourism

Twitter: TourismPHL

STEP 4. Include the #KeepTheFunGoing and #ChallengeDone hashtags in your caption

STEP 5. Tag 3 of your friends in your post

STEP 6. Make sure to set your profile in public so we can see your entry

All entries will be drawn through an electronic raffle. Weekly winners will be announced every Saturday and will be notified thru Facebook Personal Message. The two grand winners, which will be chosen from all the qualified entries, will win a FREE TRIP for two to Palawan.

Join the #KeepTheFunGoing movement today and be an eco-warrior. To learn more about the campaign, visit philippines.travel/saveourspots.

Travel Green: Explore Banwa Private Island at its greenest

Green season is every frequent traveler’s best kept secret. It is the perfect opportunity to explore Banwa Private Island where nature is in full bloom.

Green season means drizzles in the warm and sunny mornings, ideal for swimming, hiking, nearby island adventures and outdoor activities. The cool,. fresh breeze make the days more relaxing, finding paradise in whatever you do.

Set in a pristine marine sanctuary in North-eastern Palawan, Banwa Private Island boasts stunning beachfront villas wrapped in the shade of palm trees and tucked in lush vegetation. Architecturally designed to sit in harmony with nature, each villa truly offers the luxury of space for a pure tropical hideaway. Wake up to the gentle hum of the waves, with the sun gleaming through the private veranda offering unobstructed views of the endless turquoise waters.

Plan your island escape as Banwa Private Island offers a seamless, attractive all-inclusive Green Season rates starting May 2022. For more information and enquiries, please contact the Reservations team through mobile/WhatsApp: +639178882864, send an email to reservations@banwaprivateisland.com, or visit www.banwaprivateisland.com.

‘Go where your mind’s been wandering’ – A new campaign by the DOT, TPB, and BBDO Guerrero

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) have launched a beautiful outdoor, press, and online campaign, with the help of BBDO Guerrero, to promote domestic tourism in the Philippines as the country recovers from the pandemic and travel restrictions are eased.

The campaign 'Go where your mind's been wandering,' highlights the re-opening of 10 popular tourist destinations, from white sand beaches to strawberry farms, in captivating photos that illustrate the unique characteristics of each place and, if you look closely, reveal a silhouette of a hidden face.

From surfing in La Union, diving in Cebu and hiking in Davao, you're sure to find something you love, no matter where your mind's been wandering.

The campaign was produced together with STILLS MNL Photographer Jason Quibilan and UGL Post Production with minimal retouching, inviting domestic tourists to rediscover the beauty of the Philippines - safely and responsibly.

Stop dreaming, start planning, now ‘go where your mind’s been wandering’.

Discover amazing entourage - dedicated Axis facilities of Banwa Private Island, the perfect destination for meaningful experiences

Boasting powder-white beaches, diverse marine life, luxurious private villas, and a green ethos that supports, nurtures, and protects its precious natural surroundings, Banwa Private Island is the perfect destination for meaningful experiences.

From destination weddings, and family reunions to work retreats, elevate your next event with an exclusive island charter at Banwa Private Island.

Unique to Banwa Private Island, discover our amazing Axis facilities providing comfort and style suitable for entourage and support team or children sleep-over adventures, available by chartering the whole island.

The facilities comprise eleven garden rooms accommodating up to 22 guests with views over our 9-hole (Par 3) short game golf course, a dedicated lounge with snooker table, pool kitchen, BBQ deck with pizza-oven, and its own infinity swimming pool. Not to mention our spectacular birds-eye view from the one-bedroom 360° Axis Suite situated at a spectacular vantage point.

For more information and inquiries, please contact the Reservations team through mobile/WhatsApp +639178882864, send an email to reservations@banwaprivateisland.com, or visit www.banwaprivateisland.com.

'Stairway to a good life!'

'Room with a view'

'The suite life'

The Modern and Smart Choice: Upgrade Urban Living with Smart Home Decisions

Owning a home or upgrading one’s home and lifestyle has risen to the top many Filipinos’ priorities list these recent years. Staying indoors for a longer period contributed to this but so has the importance of living close to school or work as in the case of condo living or finding a place in the city for easier access to almost anything.

Although urban living in the Philippines can be challenging, what with the overcrowding, congestion and traffic problems, many find city life rewarding. This is why many continue to flock to the city or condos or upgrade their city life little by little. Being cooped up at home for two years has inspired more Filipinos to take a closer look into what lacks and what needs to be improved in their homes with regards to health, comfort and convenience. Making upgrades at home is no longer just a privilege but also a responsibility, and thanks to new technologies and smart and modern tools, homeowners can make life and health at home easier.

Energy-saving home equipment

Have you been monitoring your electricity bills at home? Home appliances consume a lot of energy. Having more appliances, better yet, unwise choice and use of appliances can cause one’s electric consumption – and bill – to surge. Furthermore, home appliances can be a major contributor of harmful greenhouse gases.[1]

Modern technologies have given rise to energy-efficient options such as inverter appliances. Solar-based equipment are now also increasingly available, with many installing solar roof panels as energy source.

These alternatives do not only help save energy and electric consumption but enhance home life for everyone in the family because they are easy to use and maintain. This means saving money from lower energy consumption and easier maintenance and repair. Moreover, these environment-friendly home appliances and equipment reduce the family’s carbon footprint for a more sustainable lifestyle.

Smart home devices

Smart home devices continue to rise in popularity for a reason. Besides giving the home that modern vibe, smart devices allow homeowners to control appliances and parts of the home such as lighting from anywhere around the house – and even from outside -- through digital assistants and voice commands.

Additionally, some smart devices send the user alerts and notifications to warn of any potential issue or remind them if they have left anything behind like an opened refrigerator door or a meal that has finished cooking in the oven.

When it comes to safety, CCTVs, doorbell security cameras and AI technology help homeowners monitor the house even remotely through the mobile phone. This means, homeowners can keep an eye on their home even when they are miles away on vacation or business trip.

Organization tools and hacks

With most everyone staying indoors much longer, keeping the home tidy and organized has become a priority. The growing range of storage solutions, from stylish baskets, plastic containers to wooden crates and metal racks, can fit any home aesthetic and needs.

Many Filipinos nowadays, especially young adults, see organizing things at home as therapeutic besides creating as aesthetic worthy of a post on social media. Organizing also helps homeowners focus better, reduce stress and overwhelming emotions, and create a lighter feeling overall.

Various organization tools are conveniently available even on online shopping sites, and homeowners can choose from a wide selection of designs, types, shapes and sizes.

Virus-eliminating appliances and tools

Plenty of virus-eliminating equipment and devices have surfaced amid the pandemic to help combat the COVID-19 virus.

Waterlogic, the leading global provider of home and workplace hydration solutions, takes this step with its COVID-19 safe water units, the Aqua SmartGuard.

Drinking the right amount of water is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the body against viruses and other threats to the health. But hydrating is just part of the solution. It is equally important to make sure the water the family consumes is clean, safe and healthy.

The Aqua SmartGuard “cube” is the perfect fit in any modern home with its compact and elegant design while its state-of-the-art technologies make for a safe and healthy partner. The cube features a patented Firewall UVC technology that sanitizes the water from contaminants, bacteria and viruses, including the COVID-19 virus. The Aqua SmartGuard also filters out particles that give the water a bad taste or smell without removing the necessary minerals.

This modern and safe water dispenser features an antimicrobial protection added on the unit’s surface, dispensing buttons, nozzle and tray. This BioCote keeps the unit exterior safe from germs and bacteria, giving everyone in the family added protection

The Aqua SmartGuard also provides the family with four temperature modes -- ambient, cold, hot and extra hot -- to accommodate various day-to-day hydration needs.

Besides complementing the home and kitchen aesthetic, upgrading to the Aqua SmartGuard eliminates having to haul gallon sized containers or wait for water supply. It also reduces, if not totally stops, using water bottles, which contributes to cutting plastic wastes.

To top it all off, Waterlogic offers a Total Care Service that takes care of the unit’s installation and maintenance such as replacement of filters and UV lamps. The Total Care Service, priced at Php1,490 only, can be paid using debit or credit cards or Peso Pay, bank transfer, payment Gateways auto-debit or GCash.

For more information on Aqua SmartGuard, its products and the Total Care Service, visit smartguard.ph.

About Waterlogic

Waterlogic is a leading global designer, manufacturer, distributor and service provider of home and workplace hydration solutions. Waterlogic provides the world’s purest and safest water to over 50 million households and offices in more than 70 countries. Waterlogic, with its decades of experience in delivering highly certified, great-tasting water in a safe and environmentally responsible way, aims to transform drinking water into a trusted, purified and sustainably abundant resource for all Filipinos.

[1]

https://www.astralenergyllc.com/5-significant-benefits-of-using-energy-efficient-appliances/#:~:text=Energy%2DEfficient%20Appliances%20Help%20Save,your%20energy%20bills%20at%20home.

CaSoBe and Millennial Resorts Hosted the Inaugural MVP LANDCO Golf Cup

CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach) and Millennial Resorts recently hosted the inaugural MVP Landco Golf Cup. The inter-company golf tournament provided an opportunity among select executives of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, various companies under the MVP Group and corporate partners to team up, meet face-to-face, have fun and build camaraderie in a friendly golf tournament at the Calatagan Golf Club.

 Global Business Powers represented by Dan Neil clinched the championship of the inaugural MVP Landco Golf Cup

It was also the perfect avenue for MVP executives to experience the ultimate in resort living and explore the 15-hectare CaSoBe, one of Landco’s latest Leisure Tourism Estates; and enjoy the facilities of Millennial Resorts on property.

MVP executives and their families were billeted at Crusoe Cabins, the first resort in the country that received the prestigious EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies)-Certification for its eco-efficient design. After the golf tournament, sunset cocktails and a fellowship night ensued by the white sand beach of CaSoBe.

Erickson Manzano, President and CEO, Landco together with Landco officers Patrick Gregorio, Senior Consultant for Hospitality and Tourism and Vivian Liban, Chief Finance Officer welcomed the participants and guests and graced the awarding ceremony of the first MVP Landco Golf Cup.

Global Business Powers with Dan Niel won First Place in the first MVP Landco Golf Cup

Taking home the First Place trophy was Dan Niel, Executive Vice President Head – Expanding Market Division Corporation, Global Business Powers (GBP) in the golf tournament that was also participated by some top executives of the MVP group of companies: Augusto Palisoc, Jr., Director for Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and President and Director at Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. and Oslec Lopez, President and CEO, Santos Clinic, Inc.; Ramoncito Fernandez, Director for Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and President and CEO of Maynilad Water Services, Inc.; Christopher Lizo, Chief Financial Officer of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation; Ferdinand Geluz, President of Spectrum and Meralco FVP, CCO; Exequiel Delgado, CEO, Radius Telecoms; Jude Turcuato, First Vice President - Head of Sports, PLDT and Executive Director, MVP Sports Foundation; Arvin Siena, VP and Head of Technology Strategy and Transformation Office, PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc.; Gerard Milan, Vice President and Head of Content Business Development, Smart Communications, Inc. and Ernesto Sta. Maria, Jr., President and CEO, Pilipinas Global Network Limited.

VIP guests included: Jonvic Remulla, Governor, Cavite; Oliver Jimeno, President and CEO, CTBC Bank; Bo Perasol, former Head Coach, Ateneo Blue Eagles and UP Fighting Maroons; Ernie Lopez, President and CEO, Creative Programs, Inc, an ABS-CBN subsidiary and Host of G Diaries TV Show; Boy Leonardo, Erwin Pobre, Adrian Borja; and Carmelo Andrei Lizo.

Siena of PLDT received the Special Award of  Clossest to the Pin

The awarding ceremony also recognized the team winners, with Global Business Powers clinching the first MVP Landco Cup. In second and third place were PLDT and Metro Tollways. Siena received a special award of Closest to the Pin.

Watch Kwentong Jollibee’s latest Valentine series to find out what does love truly mean?

What does love truly mean? This February, the award-winning and highly anticipated Kwentong Jollibee Valentine series is back to tug at everyone’s heartstrings, launching a new trio of special short films that show the different ways people experience love and discover its true meaning.

“It’s the sixth year of the Kwentong Jollibee Valentine series and what we always realize is that love comes in different forms and can be defined in myriad ways, unique from person to person. The stories were inspired by true-to-life experiences of real people in the pandemic, with unexpected twists that lead people into finding what love truly means for them,” said Jollibee AVP and Head of Brand PR, Engagement and Digital Marketing, Arline Adeva.

Directed by Antoinette Jadaone and JP Habac, the Kwentong Jollibee 2022 Valentines series tugs the heart of Filipinos with stories of finding real love.

“As in our past runs of Kwentong Jollibee, our goal is to celebrate the uniqueness of each love story and showcase the timeless lessons that can inspire and give hope to our viewers. All three episodes are anchored on powerful truths that surfaced during these challenging times when all kinds of relationships were somehow put to the test.” she added.

Pandemic or not, no Valentine’s Day is complete without a Kwentong Jollibee series. Last year’s viral triple treat—LDR, First Date, and Hero—showcased that strength can be found in love, especially one that is determined to make things work despite hardships. This year, Jollibee is at it again with a new trilogy that is sure to touch the hearts of audiences across generations.

Hold on to real love in the face of never-ending challenges with the Kwentong Jollibee “600 Days” Valentines episode.

600 Days, is love worth the trouble? —This is the question posed by Brian and Mina’s story which is, set to premiere on February 9 on the brand’s official Facebook page. The couple was first introduced in last year’s #LDR, which chronicled their struggles as the distance and pandemic kept them apart. They thought the worst is over, but as the pandemic progresses, new challenges keep rocking their relationship. Do they have what it takes to still make things work? Find out in this heartwarming sequel by the same director of Kwentong Jollibee LDR, Antoinette Jadaone.

Kwentong Jollibee’s “Dream Guy” is a swoon-worthy love story made for the K-drama fans.

Dream Guy, which will be released on February 13, tells the story of Kaye, a hallyu fan who dreams of having her own ultimate oppa love story. For her, meeting Jung feels like starring in her very own K-drama, but he might not be what she imagined him to be. This charming love story also helmed by Jadaone will surely delight the hearts of Korean love story fans.

Meet the different types of love through the stories of three girlkada members on 

Kwentong Jollibee’s “ILY”.

ILY, streaming on February 18, is a different kind of love story that will make young people realize all the more the value of the people they have in their lives. Directed by JP Habac (who also directed the recent blockbuster short film One True Pair The Movie), it’s the perfect short film to watch with your besties or even the whole family.

Kwentong Jollibee has released 36 short films since it was first introduced in 2017. Inspired by the genuine life experiences of the brand’s loyal customers, the episodes have truly resonated among Jollibee fans of all ages, marking more than 800 million views on Facebook and YouTube. And with the way the episodes thread together the universal experiences of pain, love, and loss, the storytelling is truly felt by people all over the world — leading Kwentong Jollibee to receive recognitions both locally and abroad.

Don’t miss the stories of love this Valentine’s season by catching all three #KwentongJollibee special shorts on Jollibee Studios YouTube channel and on Jollibee’s Facebook page.