Philippines News

PALAWAN Express Pera Padala (PEPP) International Remittance recently hosted the inaugural Global Ang Galing Natin Summit at their head office in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last June 30 to July 1, 2023.

The summit brought together key stakeholders in the international remittance industry and showcased the partnership between PEPP and its international remittance partners.

It introduced world-class and innovative service offerings aimed at making remittances convenient, fast, and hassle-free.

The summit facilitated proactive discussions among valuable partners, including Ace Forex HK, Al Ansari Exchange LLC, AUB, Bank Of Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank, China Banking Corporation, Continental Exchange Solutions, Inc., EMQ Ltd, Worldremit Ltd., Instant Cash FZE, Japan Remit Finance, LBC Express, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Pacific Limited, Philippine National Bank, Remitly, TML Remittance Center Sdn Bhd., Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, Tranglo, Uniteller Filipino, Universal Storefront Services Corporation, Western Union Processing Services, and Xoom Global Money Transfer.

These discussions centered around providing relevant, convenient, and value-added services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families who heavily rely on remittances for their financial well-being.

During the summit, PEPP International Remittance reaffirmed its commitment to delivering world-class customer service.

The company is dedicated to simplifying the remittance process for OFWs and their families by offering customized options that cater to their specific requirements.

By placing the customer experience at the forefront and ensuring seamless and efficient transactions, PEPP International Remittance has become the go-to and the most utilized remittance service company in the Philippines.

PEPP’s Founder and President Bobby Castro shared the inspiring story of the company's humble beginnings in 1985 when he and his wife, Angelita, acquired the Palawan Pawnshop business.

Today, PEPP has evolved into a significant player in the money remittance industry, constantly adapting and innovating to meet the evolving needs of its clientele.

"This summit has been a true milestone in our journey, where we have successfully fostered collaboration, shared insights during breakout sessions, and built stronger partnerships. Our company's history is a testament to our ability to adapt and to innovate, from our humble beginnings to becoming a market leader," expressed Robert Ben Castro, PEPP’s Business Development and Corporate Services Director during the Global Ang Galing Natin Summit.

PEPP International Remittance is one of the most trusted and preferred cash pick-up network partners of top international remittance companies, renowned for its affordability, speed, and accessibility.

With an extensive network of over 6,000 branches nationwide, PEPP International Remittance ensures fast cash disbursement and constant availability of funds for remittance.

Additionally, PEPP branches are recognized for their exceptional customer service, delivered by friendly and knowledgeable staff.

The International Remittance service offers valuable benefits to OFW beneficiaries, allowing them to avail of free insurance for every international remittance claim.

In the near future, the service will also be accessible through PalawanPay, providing added convenience for OFW families in their financial transactions, including bill payments, QR payments, e-loading, and online fund transfers.

The Global Ang Galing Natin Summit not only strengthened ties between PEPP and its international remittance partners but also reinforced their commitment to providing world-class customer service.

By actively engaging in discussions and exploring ways to enhance their services, PEPP International Remittance aims to better serve the needs of OFWs and their families.

"We sincerely appreciate the support and collaboration of our esteemed international remittance partners in making PEPP International Remittance the leading and widely used cash pick-up center of international remittance companies in the Philippines. By synergizing our efforts and passion to serve the OFWs, we can truly make a difference in their lives. Together, we will continue to empower and uplift our OFWs worldwide," said Bernard Kaibigan, Enterprise Marketing Head of Palawan Pawnshop Group.

PEPP International Remittance's dedication to empowering the international remittance industry and supporting the financial well-being of OFWs underscores its crucial role in improving the lives of OFWs and their families.

The company's continuous evolution and innovation ensure the highest standards of service and security, providing a reliable and accessible remittance service. Furthermore, the company remains under the supervision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, ensuring the integrity and credibility of its operations.

Through the Global Ang Galing Natin Summit, PEPP International Remittance sets a new standard for the international remittance industry, prioritizing the needs of OFWs and their families, facilitating seamless transactions, and promoting financial stability. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

FOUR were injured after the Suzuki multicab pick-up crashed into a wall after its brake malfunctioned.

The accident happened at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2023 in Transcentral Highway, Barangay Cansomoroy, Balamban town, midwest Cebu.

The multicab's driver, Geritan Espinosa Miro, 52, of Barangay Pasil, Cebu City, as well as Dave Nanoy Racaza, 21, of Barangay Guadalupe, Louie Francis Lena Syki, 21, of Barangay Guadalupe, and Danilo Aviles Racaza, 54, of Barangay Pasil, were hurt.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Hife, chief of the Balamban Police Station, the vehicle's brake failed while it was heading towards Balamban, which resulted in Miro losing control of the steering wheel and crashing into a concrete wall.

The victims were brought to Balamban Provincial Hospital for treatment. (GPL, TPT)

MANILA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on Friday said that the Philippines will stop dealing with the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the judicial body decided to proceed with the investigation into the Duterte administration's campaign against illicit drugs.

"Our dealings with the ICC have ended. As we said before, we will not cooperate with them in any way or form,

MANILA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Philippine volcanologists on Friday called for vigilance as an approaching tropical depression could develop into a super typhoon and dump heavy rain in areas near an erupting volcano southeast of Manila.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that the tropical depression will bring heavy rainfall from Sunday, triggering floods

A MAN was electrocuted while repairing the lights in Barangay Manlagtang, Tabogon town, northern Cebu past 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2023.

The victim was identified as Landrio Bregente Taperi, 51, married, a resident of Barangay Daantabogon in the town and a job order employee of the Engineering Office of Tabogon municipal hall.

According to the police, the victim went up the terrace on the second floor of the barangay hall and onto the steel truss ceiling of the covered court to replace the damaged lights, but instead, he was electrocuted.

Taperi died after falling and hitting his head on the concrete floor ten meters below. (GPL, TPT)

DUNEDIN, New Zealand, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Switzerland got their 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign off to a good start on Friday as they beat the Philippines 2-0 in Group A at Dunedin Stadium.

Switzerland enjoyed a successful qualifying campaign, winning eight out of 10 games and losing just once, while this is the Philippines' first foray into the quadrennial event.

The Europeans were utterly dominant

A one-story female dormitory broke ground inside the University of the Philippines Cebu High School (UPHS) campus on Friday, July 21, 2023.

The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Angat Buhay Foundation chairperson and former Philippines vice president Leni Robredo.

The foundation's one-story dormitory, the first of its kind in Cebu, will provide shelter to 39 UPHS indigent students and one house parent for free.

The construction is expected to be finished in four to six months.

“Our dream is that this dormitory will help indigent students. Even though tuition is free, it would still be difficult if they had nowhere else to live,” said Robredo.

She disclosed that the beneficiary students will be chosen by the university’s high school department.

“So this is going to be a free dormitory for indigent students. Ang pipili po neto ay ang high school department. Ang pakiusap lang natin ay ang the most in need,” added Robredo.

The project’s construction will be funded by the foundation’s partner organization, such as the Australian Embassy, said Barry Codera, the program manager for education of Angat Buhay.

Robredo said that once the project is completed, she will look for other private partners who will help in providing the needed equipment.

“When we inaugurate the dorm, we will also meet our other private partners who would help in setting the dorm itself. Partners giving gadgets, the furnishings, and giving the kitchen equipment that is needed for the dorm,” she said.

In order to allow students who live in remote locations to attend school and lower the dropout rate in the Philippines, Robredo also stressed the need to establish more dorms in other areas.

The project has been suggested by Cebu Vice Governor Hilario "Junjun" Davide III after noticing that many UPHS students were not from Cebu City.

“I know that UP is a public school and there are many students here who are not residents of Cebu so they need a place to stay here,” said Davide.

In Calabangga, at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, at a high school in Pontevedra, Capiz, and in Sorsogon, which is the most recent dormitory to be built in collaboration with the Australian Embassy, further buildings will be constructed.

Other dormitories are set to be constructed in Calabangga, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, a high school in Pontevedra, Capiz, and in Sorsogon, which are also in partnership with the Australian Embassy. (CNU Intern Denise Mae Codis)

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Friday that the government is "done" with the International Criminal Court days after it announced its decision to resume its probe into the drug war killings under the Duterte administration.

The dismissal of charges against four police officers accused of killing civilians in an Oplan Tokhang operation justifies the need for the International Criminal Court to continue its drug war probe, a lawyer's group specializing in international law said.

Follow this page for updates on "Egay," the fifth tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to visit Malaysia a day after delivering his second State of the Nation Address, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

THE Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) launched two back-to-back events during its 4th General Membership Meeting at Citadines, Baseline Residences, Cebu City on July 20, 2023.

The meeting was attended by representatives and managers from various hotels, resorts and restaurants, including Sheraton, Bai Hotel, Tambuli Seaside Resort & Spa and Movenpick Cebu.

Cebu Goes Culinary 2023, being the first event to be launched, started the program by introducing this year’s theme, “Malakas at Maganda: The Surge of Philippine Cuisine.”

The Cebu Goes Culinary 2023 will happen at the Sky Hall and Mountain Wing of SM Seaside Cebu for two days, September 30 to October 1, 2023.

“The event is perfect for the recovering food and tourism industry. We all know how the pandemic has ravaged businesses and such, it’s high time to rise again and this is the perfect way to showcase that we are truly back and booming,” said Carmela Malagar, HRRACI board member and director of CGM Hotel Consultancy.

Registration started Thursday, July 20, and will end on August 15, 2023.

The event will serve as a competition for culinary practitioners from different hotels, resorts, restaurants and schools.

The event has been divided into two categories: professional and student.

Competitions include Best Traditional/Modern Regional Recipe -- Puso, Flairtending, Cocktail Mixing, Coffee Concoction and Creative Cake Decoration.

Non-HRRACI members were encouraged to join the event to showcase their culinary expertise.

“This is a cooking show for all our professionals and academe, even those who are not members of HRRACI. This is the perfect venue for both veteran and budding culinary practitioners to show their skills and gain prestige,” said Alfred Reyes, HRRACI president and VP Operations and general manager for Bai Hotel Cebu.

Registration fees for the student category range from P900 to P2,500, and P1,700 to P3,500 for the professional category.

The top winners will be sent to Manila to compete in the National Food Showdown 2023.

With HRRACI being a non-profit organization, tickets will be sold at the venue for those who would like to witness the competition and exhibitions.

Prices and updates for the event will be posted soon on HRRACI’s official Facebook page.

Aside from the cooking show, the 2nd Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards was also launched Thursday.

The event is a recognition granted by the HRRACI to regular employees with achievements in Cebu’s tourism and hospitality industry and who have showed exemplary performance in their respective area of responsibilities.

Dr. Joseph Stephen Descallar, HRRACI board member and vice president of Academics for Asian College of Technology, said the awards symbolize the strength and resiliency of the food and tourism industry from the damage brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Here we’ll see the individuals who have continued to persevere despite all the hardships and obstacles, and it is only right to recognize these people for without them, our businesses will not continue to thrive as they are right now,” he said.

Awards include Front-of-the-House Employee of the Year, Heart-of-the-House Employee of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, and Hotel & Resort Manager of the Year.

The awards are open to both HRRACCI and Non-HRRACI members.

Criteria for nomination include Educational Attainment, Training Certificates, Awards & Achievements, and Work Tenure.

A panel interview will be conducted at the Cebu Grand Hotel on September 7, 2023.

Nomination fees range from P4,000 to P5,000 for HRRACI members and P5,000 to P6,000 for non-HRRACI members.

Awards night will be held at Robinson’s Galleria on November 15, 2023.

New members of HRACCI were also officially introduced and took their oath-taking on Thursday, such as Belmont Hotel Mactan, ELFLASH Construction Services, and NutriAsia Food Service. (Miguel Angelu Lumen, CNU Intern)

NG KHAI Development Corporation successfully held its B.E.A.T (Business, Education, Arts and Technology) 2023 Educational Summit in celebration of its 30th anniversary in the business industry on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

The annual summit aims to present the newest digital solutions in aiding schools and companies to develop and utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in a responsible way.

Company president Wilson Ng said working together can greatly overcome the risks of AI.

"Artificial intelligence is coming and it looks like they may be smarter than us. But I think we know that as long as we work and sing together, we will overcome," he said.

Myles Ng, head of Human Resources office, said discovering these AI tools will be beneficial as long as people utilized their potentials appropriately.

"Try it. Explore it. Encourage it. All of these tools are gonna help us until we give it a try," he said.

Transformation on education

In the same event, Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) University president Engr. Bernard Villamor talked about “Tradition to Transformation: Unleashing the Power of Digital Innovation in Education,” where he stressed the value of digital information as AI became more widespread, touching and developing the education sector.

"Digital information is no longer an option to education, but it's a necessity," he said.

"The academe in the age of technology is not an alternative. An academe with good use of technology is transformative," he added.

Villamor also talked about the university's top digital transformations, as a trusted education provider that made the lives of the students, faculties, and administrators easier.

Enhancement not replacement

Department of Information and Communications Technology-Central Visayas (DICT 7) Director Frederick Amores mentioned the ethical concerns of AI in education, such as privacy, surveillance, bias and discrimination, and autonomy.

"There are certain risks that have to be considered," he said.

But he pointed out the benefits of AI, saying its existence is not a threat and will not definitely replace people.

"It will not replace people, it will enhance productivity. Our goal is to use it and improve," he said.

Amores also spoke about the legal framework of AI -- House Bill 7396 or “An Act promoting the development and regulation of AI in the Philippines.”

"AI is a technology that is still in its infancy, we have an opportunity to develop it and make it a useful tool for improving productivity and our quality of life," said Amores.

Partnerships

NG Khai Development Corp. partners, such as HP, Lenovo, Sophos, Samsung, Dell Technologies, Westcon Comsor, Holowits and E-Cloud Valley, highlighted their technological innovations and how it can improve the educational sector.

The event concluded with a raffle draw where attendees received prizes such as flash drives, cable chargers, Dell monitors, Samsung smartphones, LED TV and Chromebook.

The event is a two-day showcase of the latest and greatest technological innovations for education and enterprise partners. (Camille Erika Butas and GK Marie Dejacto, CNU Interns)

A MOTORCYCLE driver lost his life after colliding with a stationary ten-wheeler truck carrying steel bars.

The tragedy happened early on Thursday, July 20, 2023, in Sitio Guiwanon, Barangay Poblacion, Compostela town in northern Cebu.

The victim, Jason Estenzo Jurado from Catmon town, northern Cebu, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Staff Sergeant Cristito Aresco of the Compostela Police Station identified the truck driver as Juan Paslon Anario, 47, from Pinamungajan town.

According to Aresco, the victim died after crashing his Honda Click motorcycle into the back of the 10-wheeler truck while traveling north.

The truck was parked along the roadside without any warning signs, according to the police.(BBT, TPT)

Fishers can now resume their fishing activities in all parts of Oriental Mindoro, Gov. Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor said on Thursday, five months after MT Princess Empress sank and leaked oil into the sea.

The American Nuclear Society awarded Rep. Mark Cojuangco (Pangasinan, 2nd District) of the "Distinguished Public Service Award" on June 12 for his advocacy for nuclear energy and addressing the Philippines' energy crisis.

The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association on Thursday formally opened the nominations for the ninth edition of the Virtus Award, an honor given to outstanding hospitality groups, as a call to adapt to change despite being one of the sectors affected by the pandemic.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported on Friday that the low pressure area situated 950 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon is likely to develop into a tropical depression by Friday. 

ARENAPLUS, an online sports betting platform in the country, proudly announced its partnership with International Basketball Association (FIBA), supported by TV5 Cignal Ultra, to become the official sportsbook partner for the highly anticipated World Basketball Cup 2023.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is truly historic, as it marks the first-ever collaboration among three countries - Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines.

This momentous occasion brings immense excitement not just for ArenaPlus, but also for the passionate Filipino fans who eagerly look forward to creating unforgettable, world-class basketball memories with FIBA.

“I truly believe that basketball is indeed loved by the Filipinos; hence FIBA alongside with ArenaPlus will surely upgrade your sports appreciation and will give you distinct fun and experience while cheering your team,” said Andy Tsui, President of DigiPlus Interactive Corporation.

This partnership is dedicated to ensuring that every Filipino basketball fan enjoys an exceptional and entertaining FIBA World Basketball Cup experience.

ArenaPlus firmly believes in providing kababayan’s with the best and world-class basketball experience they truly deserve.

Its goal is to bring heightened excitement and top-quality basketball entertainment to kababayan’s, fostering connections within communities and spreading joy throughout the nation.

Total Gamezone Xtreme Inc. President Rafael Jasper Vicencio guarantees the best quality betting experience.

“We assure you that we will add more hype and escalate your FIBA experience. Together with our first athlete endorser, who is present here today, Scottie Thompson, you already know that we only provide quality and best betting entertainment service," said Vicencio.

The brand invites all basketball fans and enthusiasts alike in celebrating the pinnacle of basketball excellence at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, taking place in August and September 2023.

ArenaPlus expressed excitement in making history and forging basketball memories that will be treasured by fans for years to come. (SPONSORED CONTENT)

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The mobile gaming market has seen a drastic transformation. Tap-and-swipe games are now considered outdated as mobile games now provide more interaction and experience. Demand for advancements in numerous gadgets, including smartphones, has significantly increased.

vivo developers have been attempting to completely eliminate the distinction between mobile gaming, computer gaming, and console gaming as more games now support a multi-platform experience.

With high hopes, the brand has aimed to raise the bar for what a midrange mobile device is capable of. As a result, it came up with its newest phone, the vivo Y36.

With augmented hardware and software, vivo Y36 makes significant advancements in many areas of the smartphone device.

Enjoy uninterrupted gaming

Gamers and avid vivo users can now enjoy an uninterrupted gaming experience with vivo Y36. The phone has a massive 5000mAh battery that can last for hours - truly perfect for rank and casual games!

Also, they do not need to worry about the battery draining as it has a 44W flash charging feature that can power up the phone up to 30 percent in just 15 minutes. Securing victories, again and again, is more fun with vivo Y36.

No more lags and glitches when you play

Each gamer's most dreaded fears are unexpected lags and glitches as they reduce their chances of winning.

vivo Y36 has 8 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and is equipped with the Turbo Memory Booster, which includes up to 8GB extended RAM, Interface Preserver, and RAM Saver. With these features, say goodbye to lags and glitches.

Also, users do not need to worry about downloading too many games with the phone's 256GB storage that is expandable up to 1 terabyte (TB) using a micro-SD card.

What’s more, vivo Y36 is packed with Multi-Turbo 5.5 and Ultra Game Mode feature which magnify the phone’s gaming performance when you need it.

Awesome screen display and gaming sampling rate

The screen is an essential part of a smartphone as it is what the users engage the most. A high-end screen improves the user experience, especially in gaming.

Well, this is not a problem with vivo Y36!

vivo integrated a 6.64-inch Full HD+ dotch display on their Y36 unit to effectively offer users a more immersive and smoother visual experience.

It is also equipped with a 240 hertz (Hz) gaming sampling rate and 90Hz refresh rate to provide vivo users and gamers with an opportunity to speed up as well as be quick at controls like aiming, shooting, etc.

Overall, vivo Y36 is a device capable of bringing customers a smooth and seamless gaming experience.

Available in two colorways, Glitter Aqua, and Meteor Black, customers can now purchase the vivo Y36 4G (8GB + 256GB) for only Php 12,999 at vivo Philippine's official website, e-stores such as Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok, as well as physical stores nationwide. (SPONSORED CONTENT)