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The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has granted an extension for the replacement of the old Ask For Receipt Notice (ARN) with the new Notice to Issue Receipts/Invoice (Niri).

Originally, under Revenue Memorandum Order 43-2022, business taxpayers were required to replace the old ARN with the new Niri by June 30, 2023. However, due to numerous inquiries from business taxpayers seeking an extension, the BIR has decided to extend the deadline. Taxpayers now have until Sept. 30 to secure the new Niri.

To secure the Niri, taxpayers shall fill out the S1905-Registration Update Sheet to indicate or update the designated official email address, which will be used by the BIR as an additional means of serving BIR orders, notices, letters, communications and other processes to taxpayers.

Business taxpayers who do not replace the old ARN with the new Niri by Sept. 30 will be imposed a penalty of a fine of not more than P1,000. Additionally, the BIR urges the public to report business establishments that do not have the Niri posted on their place of business through eComplaint OTHERS or the chatbot “Revie” at www.bir.gov.ph.

Please be guided accordingly.

Source:

P&A Grant Thornton

Certified Public Accountants

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has granted an extension for the replacement of the old Ask For Receipt Notice (ARN) with the new Notice to Issue Receipts/Invoice (Niri).

Originally, under Revenue Memorandum Order 43-2022, business taxpayers were required to replace the old ARN with the new Niri by June 30, 2023. However, due to numerous inquiries from business taxpayers seeking an extension, the BIR has decided to extend the deadline. Taxpayers now have until Sept. 30 to secure the new Niri.

To secure the Niri, taxpayers shall fill out the S1905-Registration Update Sheet to indicate or update the designated official email address, which will be used by the BIR as an additional means of serving BIR orders, notices, letters, communications and other processes to taxpayers.

Business taxpayers who do not replace the old ARN with the new Niri by Sept. 30 will be imposed a penalty of a fine of not more than P1,000. Additionally, the BIR urges the public to report business establishments that do not have the Niri posted on their place of business through eComplaint OTHERS or the chatbot “Revie” at www.bir.gov.ph.

Please be guided accordingly.

Source:

P&A Grant Thornton

Certified Public Accountants

FOREIGN direct investments into the Philippines saw a higher net inflow in April from the previous month but dropped from last year’s level as investors were generally concerned on the slowing economic growth and high inflation levels globally.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that FDI inflows stood at US$876 million in April, up from $548 million in March but 14.1 percent lower than the $1.020 billion recorded in the same month last year.

“The decline in FDI may be attributed to concerns over slowing economic growth and relatively high inflation levels globally,” the central bank noted.

The country’s economic growth slowed to 6.4 percent in the first quarter, its slowest since it exited the pandemic-induced recession. (CSL)

CENTURY Properties Group (CPG) announced it has fully redeemed its P3 billion-denominated preferred shares that it issued and listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange last Jan. 10, 2020.

“The full redemption of the Preferred Shares is part of our strategic program that is anchored on prudent financial management and debt reduction with the goal of strengthening our balance sheet to support our growth expansion,” said Ponciano Carreon Jr., CPG’s chief finance officer.

He said they continue to see an active and liquid domestic capital markets and intend to tap the same if needed for the firm’s capital funding purposes.

CPG’s outstanding total debt as of the end of December 2022 was down to P17.3 billion, from P18.4 billion the previous year due to repayment of P1.1 billion short-term and long-term debt. (PR)

GLOBE Telecom has become the country’s first telco to deploy the End-to-End (E2E) Network Slicing Function of 5G Standalone (SA), the most advanced 5G technology.

“Network Slicing stands out in delivering a tailored service experience for our customers based on the applications in use within the network,” said Gerhard Tan, director and head of Technology Strategy and Innovations at Globe.

One of the key enablers of 5G, Network Slicing provides E2E connectivity.

It divides a single network into parts designed specifically for different types of applications or groups of users. Each has its own resources and guarantees for performance, and functions, even while they all use the same physical infrastructure. (PR)

THE Cebu News Workers Multipurpose Cooperative (Cebu Newscoop) has held its second special board meeting for the election of its two top officials of the board of directors (BOD) and reorganization of its committee members.

The event was held at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Aznar Road, Pardo Hills, Cebu City on Friday morning, July 7, 2023.

The agenda for the meeting included the election of the BOD chairman and vice chairperson, as well as the appointment of officers for various committees such as secretary, treasurer, credit and finance committee, conciliation and mediation, ethics, gender and development, education, personnel, and youth committees.

The induction of officers was conducted by Gabriel Ingles, a retired associate justice of the Court of Appeals, who shared inspiring words of encouragement with the newly appointed officials.

SunStar Cebu columnist Elias Espinoza, a lawyer, was reelected as the chairman of the BOD, while businesswoman-thespian Marlinda Angbetic-Tan was reelected as the vice chairperson.

They took their oath of office together with other members of the BOD that include Jovy Gerodias, Frederick Languido, Julito Geolagon, Divine Ngujo, Oscar Pineda, Joseph Elvir Tubilan and Gregorio Rubio Jr.

Reappointed as the board secretary was Kevin Lagunda.

Accountant Elizabeth Salubre of the Community was also reappointed as the treasurer. She oversees the financial affairs of the cooperative.

Lowela Ermac, Rosa Maria Paquera and Richeil Jaramillo were appointed to the audit committee.

Doris Bongcac, Elizabeth Yap and Jet Ybiernas will be serving in the election committee until 2024.

The credit and finance committee is composed of Flora Mata, Rose Yumol and Abigail Tinapay.

Members of the conciliation and mediation committee include lawyers Eddie Barrita, Ruphil Bañoc and John Rey Saavedra. They will help resolve any disputes that may arise.

Chester Abadilla, Rolando Morallo and The Freeman editor-in-chief Lucky Malicay have been appointed as members of the ethics committee, which will focus on upholding and promoting ethical standards within the cooperative.

Emee Lucena, Yap and Lagunda will serve on the gender and development committee to ensure the cooperative’s commitment to equality and inclusivity.

The education committee consists of Tan, Lucena, Morallo and Hilbert Espinosa. They will oversee Cebu Newscoop’s educational initiatives and programs.

Espinoza, Tan, Geolagon, Tubilan and Evelyn Sarsale comprise the personnel committee, which is responsible for managing human resources and personnel matters.

The youth committee’s members are Precious Ivy Baquero, Ephraim Pineda and John Josef Gregory Rubio, with Tubilan, a professor at Cebu Normal University, serving as its adviser. They will address the needs and aspirations of the cooperative’s young members.

Cebu Newscoop’s BOD also created a new committee dedicated to serving senior citizens. This committee will be chaired by Oscar Pineda, with Taghoy as his adviser, and Espinoza and Tan as members. They vowed to look after the welfare of senior memberswithin the cooperative.

In his message, Ingles congratulated the newly appointed BOD officials and officers, emphasizing the importance of truth and integrity in their endeavors within the cooperative, media and the community.

The reorganization of Cebu Newscoop’s BOD and officers reflects the cooperative’s commitment to effective governance and continued growth.

The Cebu Newscoop officials said they are eager to contribute their skills and expertise to the betterment of the cooperative and its members.

The cooperative has over 2,000 members from the media and community. It offers loans and other benefits to full-fledged members.

For membership inquiries, one can contact Cebu Newscoop through its landline (032-3454670) and phone number (09275193135), email (cebunews.e[email protected]) and Facebook page (Cebu News Workers MPC).

In the article “Nepotism in Family Business” by David Bork, featured in Family Business Matters, Bork emphasizes that nepotism holds neither inherent goodness nor badness. Instead, he asserts that its positive or negative connotation stems from the manner in which individuals have raised their children. Bork’s belief is that the fundamental duty of a parent can be defined as follows: “To raise responsible adults who possess high self-esteem and the ability to function autonomously in society.”

Bork further emphasizes that neglecting to instill these principles creates an environment where children develop a sense of entitlement, viewing themselves as privileged individuals deserving of everything.

“This deficiency becomes a ripe incubator for problems to emerge when the child works in the family business. Children who come to the business with an attitude of entitlement will think they are exempt from the rules that apply to ‘ordinary people.’ They often don’t understand that they must earn their place in the company through hard work and consistently-demonstrated competence. A seemingly small thing like coming to work on time is an example,” he said.

Nepotism turns ugly

Company X is a long-standing family business specializing in manufacturing and distributing agricultural and aqua products in the Asia-Pacific region. The founder, Mr. L, built the business from scratch and effectively transitioned its ownership and leadership to his son, ML, who was subsequently promoted to the position of president. Unfortunately, as the company expanded its operations, the challenge of nepotism initially surfaced following the employment and promotion of relatives who seemed inadequate to handle tasks in management and operations.

An entrepreneur deeply rooted in the traditional Chinese way of running a family business, Mr. L firmly believed in keeping the business within the family and has a strong preference for employing relatives in key positions. This has led to multiple instances where family members, apart from his children, including nephews and nieces, were hired without undergoing a rigorous selection process. Non-family employees within the organization repeatedly voiced their concerns (though muted for fear of losing their jobs) about the unfairness of these practices, as they felt bypassed for promotions and job opportunities despite their qualifications and contributions to the company.

The negative impact of nepotism became evident in the company’s organizational dynamics. The lack of meritocracy resulted in a sense of disillusionment among talented non-family employees, leading to reduced motivation and productivity. Skilled individuals that dedicated many years to the company found their career progression blocked by family members with less experience and expertise. This created an atmosphere of resentment, affecting team cohesion and collaboration. Consequently, the company struggled to retain top talent and experienced higher turnover rates.

In-law as procurement head

In addition to the challenges of nepotism, another prominent issue arose when ML appointed his wife as the head of the procurement unit. Typical of many family employment where blood was more important than an individual’s skill set, the wife never had any experience related to the fundamentals of running a purchasing department. Her appointment was solely based on trust consistent with the founder’s inherent preference in hiring family members.

Months into her new role as head, the wife started receiving gifts from suppliers like foreign travel and hotel accommodations disguised as official business transactions. The suppliers also provided assistance during family celebrations, particularly by sponsoring her children’s birthday parties, and showered her with expensive gifts, mainly household appliances and furniture packages. It was obvious that these perks and benefits were offered to her in exchange for favorable approval of purchasing contracts without any bidding or shortlisting of suppliers.

This conflict emphasizes the importance of involving family members in a business properly, as seen in successful cases like Alliance Global Inc. (AGI) and JG Summit Holdings Inc., which AGI chief executive officer (CEO) Kevin Tan and JG Summit president and CEO Lance Gokongwei will be showcasing in an event on Aug. 19, 2023 where I will be a moderator and co-resource speaker together with Global thought leader and Harvard professor Josh Baron entitled, “Family Business Continuity: Ensuring a Fail-Proof Succession Plan.”

This event will look into the significance of eliminating nepotism, among others, in any successful family-run enterprise. I urge all interested families looking to ensure their business success to promptly register and secure their slots as seats are very limited. For additional information, you can call Marivi Estrada of ICON Executive Asia at 0977-835-5533.

In the article “Nepotism in Family Business” by David Bork, featured in Family Business Matters, Bork emphasizes that nepotism holds neither inherent goodness nor badness. Instead, he asserts that its positive or negative connotation stems from the manner in which individuals have raised their children. Bork’s belief is that the fundamental duty of a parent can be defined as follows: “To raise responsible adults who possess high self-esteem and the ability to function autonomously in society.”

Bork further emphasizes that neglecting to instill these principles creates an environment where children develop a sense of entitlement, viewing themselves as privileged individuals deserving of everything.

“This deficiency becomes a ripe incubator for problems to emerge when the child works in the family business. Children who come to the business with an attitude of entitlement will think they are exempt from the rules that apply to ‘ordinary people.’ They often don’t understand that they must earn their place in the company through hard work and consistently-demonstrated competence. A seemingly small thing like coming to work on time is an example,” he said.

Nepotism turns ugly

Company X is a long-standing family business specializing in manufacturing and distributing agricultural and aqua products in the Asia-Pacific region. The founder, Mr. L, built the business from scratch and effectively transitioned its ownership and leadership to his son, ML, who was subsequently promoted to the position of president. Unfortunately, as the company expanded its operations, the challenge of nepotism initially surfaced following the employment and promotion of relatives who seemed inadequate to handle tasks in management and operations.

An entrepreneur deeply rooted in the traditional Chinese way of running a family business, Mr. L firmly believed in keeping the business within the family and has a strong preference for employing relatives in key positions. This has led to multiple instances where family members, apart from his children, including nephews and nieces, were hired without undergoing a rigorous selection process. Non-family employees within the organization repeatedly voiced their concerns (though muted for fear of losing their jobs) about the unfairness of these practices, as they felt bypassed for promotions and job opportunities despite their qualifications and contributions to the company.

The negative impact of nepotism became evident in the company’s organizational dynamics. The lack of meritocracy resulted in a sense of disillusionment among talented non-family employees, leading to reduced motivation and productivity. Skilled individuals that dedicated many years to the company found their career progression blocked by family members with less experience and expertise. This created an atmosphere of resentment, affecting team cohesion and collaboration. Consequently, the company struggled to retain top talent and experienced higher turnover rates.

In-law as procurement head

In addition to the challenges of nepotism, another prominent issue arose when ML appointed his wife as the head of the procurement unit. Typical of many family employment where blood was more important than an individual’s skill set, the wife never had any experience related to the fundamentals of running a purchasing department. Her appointment was solely based on trust consistent with the founder’s inherent preference in hiring family members.

Months into her new role as head, the wife started receiving gifts from suppliers like foreign travel and hotel accommodations disguised as official business transactions. The suppliers also provided assistance during family celebrations, particularly by sponsoring her children’s birthday parties, and showered her with expensive gifts, mainly household appliances and furniture packages. It was obvious that these perks and benefits were offered to her in exchange for favorable approval of purchasing contracts without any bidding or shortlisting of suppliers.

This conflict emphasizes the importance of involving family members in a business properly, as seen in successful cases like Alliance Global Inc. (AGI) and JG Summit Holdings Inc., which AGI chief executive officer (CEO) Kevin Tan and JG Summit president and CEO Lance Gokongwei will be showcasing in an event on Aug. 19, 2023 where I will be a moderator and co-resource speaker together with Global thought leader and Harvard professor Josh Baron entitled, “Family Business Continuity: Ensuring a Fail-Proof Succession Plan.”

This event will look into the significance of eliminating nepotism, among others, in any successful family-run enterprise. I urge all interested families looking to ensure their business success to promptly register and secure their slots as seats are very limited. For additional information, you can call Marivi Estrada of ICON Executive Asia at 0977-835-5533.

July 11, 2023 10:20 PM

Touching on discussions on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Asean has immense potential for future growth.

CITY Savings Bank (CitySavings) has brought its Project Pink to Carcar City, southern Cebu, to spread more awareness on breast cancer and conduct a free medical mission to more than 600 teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd).

For its recent endeavor, CitySavings said it partnered with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.-Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (Rafi-Ejacc), adding that it is committed to helping the education community not only through its simple and straightforward banking services but by also advocating for health and well-being.

The two-day session featured up-to-date information about breast cancer and a free breast check-up and pap smear screening conducted by Rafi-Ejacc, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing healthcare services to underserved communities.

Rafi-Ejacc medical oncologist Dr. Amabelle Trina Gerona talked about the latest advancements in cancer detection and treatment, along with risk factors and prevention measures.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women but early detection is key to successful treatment.

To broaden the attendees’ knowledge about women’s health, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center resident doctors Dr. Ivy Nasayao-Latido and Dr. Althea Cabacaba shared their expertise on cervical cancer.

Latido shared effective primary and secondary prevention approaches available such as human papillomavirus vaccines and examination for and treating precancerous lesions.

Cabacaba, on the other hand, promoted the importance of cervical cancer screening and family planning in the fight against maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, and death among women.

DepEd Carcar Senior Education Program Specialist Dr. Juana Dicdiquin talked about her journey and becoming a cancer survivor.

“I encourage my fellow teachers to undergo screening, and for those fighting cancer have courage and face it head on. Learn to prioritize, love and take care of yourselves”, she said.

DepEd Carcar Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Maritoni Genumbaga Baldespinos thanked CitySavings and Rafi-Ejacc “for their dedication and help extended” to public teachers.

“Let us continue to look after our health,” she said.

CitySavings business head for Central Visayas Ryan Bascug shared an inspirational message as he closed the session: “There is more to pink than just a color. For us at CitySavings, pink is nurturing life, recognizing the challenges and battles, and appreciating that despite the circumstances, we share support systems and programs for every one’s health and well-being.”

The power-generation sector offers vast opportunities for Russian companies, the Ethiopian energy minister has suggested

Ethiopia is interested in Russian investment and is inviting companies to help expand its power generation, the country's industry minister Melaku Alebel told RIA news agency on Tues

The power-generation sector offers vast opportunities for Russian companies, Ethiopian energy minister has said

Ethiopia is interested in Russian investment and is inviting companies to help expand its power generation, the country's industry minister Melaku Alebel told RIA news agency on Tuesday.

Source: ICAO

July 11, 2023 9:50 PM

Westports announced his passing in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.

July 11, 2023 9:40 PM

Federal ministers as well as opposition leaders are sitting down with influencers for casual interviews.

By Earl Martinez of Barangay San Antonio

The Maharlika Investment Fund is just about money, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. I need not mention in this piece the numerous reasons why such a government obsession is bad not only for Juan de la Cruz, but for the nation as a whole, lest I sound like a broken record.

Too many analyses, studies and arguments to oppose the “Fund” have been proffered thus far by economic experts, business leaders, government officials (past and present), media and several authorities/people from several different sectors -- enough to convince the President, his economic managers and political allies. But they remain adamant, doggedly arbitrary and preposterous. Headstrong and “savvy” -- sans judgment, acuity or foresight.

Our nation has problems much bigger than money, bigger or more sensible than what proponents of Maharlika would always say, “the need for revenues to fund government programs.”

Money is what the Philippine government has been craving for and running after (one administration after another), yet money remains ever elusive because money (or wealth) is merely a result of wisdom (or correct thinking) and uprightness which two virtues our leaders need to possess and be running hard after, first and foremost.

If money is the problem, then why does BBM seem cold to the idea or imperative action to curb and ultimately stop all robbery and crookedness in the government?

President Bongbong Marcos recently addressed the officials and employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) when he graced the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Milestones ceremony in Mariveles, Bataan. Yet, in his speech, there was no mention of corruption despite the fact and common knowledge that DPWH is among the leading corrupt agencies in the government -- as though all is well in the rotten department.

“The Philippines is losing around P700 billion, or over 20 percent of the country’s total budget appropriation, yearly, due to corruption,” said the report. Imagine that. Alarming! But when will our officials be alarmed? The Philippines is one of the most corrupt among Asia Pacific countries. Filipinos lead the pack as we are sixth in rank.

Former Deputy Ombudsman Cyril Ramos admonished, “We need to keep reminding ourselves how destructive corruption is, especially for developing countries like ours... The figure is equivalent to some 1.4 million housing for the poor, medical assistance for around seven million Filipinos, or a rice buffer stock that can last for more than a year. With that amount, no Filipino would get hungry.” Bull’s eye. Furthermore, he noted in 2019 that in the past two years alone, “the government may have lost P1.3 trillion due to corruption.”

If money is indeed the problem, why do our officials and politicians throw away millions or billions upon billions of pesos to confidential funds, intel funds, pork barrel funds, discretionary funds and all other assorted secret funds and so-called investment funds (like MIF) that are beyond the reach of the Commission on Audit. With MIF, we are adding more such kinds of “funds” (to the list) that are clear, massive sources of greed or corruption.

Dear BBM, believe the critics and opponents of MIF more than your sycophants, “experts” and blind masseurs. Lead the nation to prosperity and genuine progress. You can do it, Sir, without your favorite, adored baby -- the Maharlika Investment Fund.

Initially, when it was first bruited about, I had mixed feelings about DOT’s (Department of Tourism) meme of “Love the Philippines.” It was not until some quarters embarked on the agenda, or so they seemed by their nastiness, of taking down Secretary Christina Frasco, that I got convinced it is the right meme and should be kept by DOT as Secretary Frasco has rightly decided.

Destructive critics do not seem to care that when they hurl stones at Secretary Frasco they are actually crushing the whole tourism industry. And there just happens to be more than one reason the industry should be supported and made strong. Which to my mind means that we criticize not to destroy but to improve something on which so many lives hang.

Our tourism industry caters to both local and foreign tourists. And local tourists need to be motivated to “Love the Philippines” more than their foreign counterparts. As I asked in an earlier essay, how can we ask the world to love a country that we ourselves do not love?

How can we ask foreign tourists to go, see, experience our principal tourist attractions when we ourselves have not gone, seen, or experienced them ourselves? How also can we assure foreign tourists they will be loved when they come if there is so much negativism and toxicity among us vis-à-vis our tourist industry?

More importantly, our tourism industry contributes so much to the nation’s gross national product. In 2022, the 2.65 million tourist arrivals (a 2,465.75 percent increase from the previous year’s number) translates into P208.92 billion of incremental revenue for the country.

Lest we forget, the tourism industry is one of the biggest employers of the country. In 2022 it employed 5.23 million Filipinos. This does not include the millions employed in downstream industries that tourism has made to sprout and grow all over the country. Think Siargao which would otherwise be a sleepy fishing village without tourists, both foreign and local.

Sure DOT stubbed its foot on the video presentation, but if we “Love the Philippines,” if we love Filipino brothers and sisters who benefit from the industry, we do not demolish it in the eyes of the world but help it get back on its feet for the sake of the millions of Filipinos whose lives depend on tourism.

The ax should fall squarely on the shoulders of the erring ad agency and it has. Secretary Frasco should be faulted, because of command responsibility, for DOT’s failure to spot the errors in the presentation. A not too easily forgivable sin of omission maybe, but blowing it up, over-sensationalizing it only creates more problems than it solves.

We have no business asking others to love us if we behave like we do not love ourselves. We badly need to address DOT’s meme first and foremost to ourselves. If we “Love the Philippines” we criticize to improve so the world will love us. Let’s not kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

Executives were questioned on their companies’ links to China, alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and restricting details about Covid-19’s origins on their platforms.

An economic downturn cannot be ruled out yet, Janet Yellen has warned

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned that the economy is still at risk of a recession, while expressing concern over persistently high inflation.

In an interview with the CBS show Face the Nation over the weekend, she said it

One’s first time outside the Philippines will always be a special one. Traveling unlocks a person’s curiosity and thirst for discovery. For those who have a brand new, stamp-free Philippine passport, here are seven reasons why visiting Hong Kong — Asia’s World City — makes perfect sense for first-time Cebuano overseas tourists:

Visa free

Applying for a visa is one of the most daunting things for would-be tourists. There’s a lot of paperwork to be done. Even after submitting all pertinent documents, there’s still the uncertainty of being approved.

Hello, Hong Kong. This place is one of the few places where Cebuanos can go without the hassle of applying for a visa. With only one’s passport and plane ticket in hand, one can finally say that he or she has been abroad.

Flight time

The flight from Cebu to Hong Kong just takes under three hours. That’s just enough time to watch a movie while on the plane or getting a power nap before landing at your new destination.

Currently, Cebu Pacific flies from Cebu to Hong Kong once daily at 6:05 to 8:55 a.m. and Hong Kong to Cebu at 9:40 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. The early flight allows one to experience more of Hong Kong during the day and the return flight gives travellers just enough time to have breakfast at the airport and catch afternoon engagements back at home.

Communication

Generally speaking, most Hongkongers can communicate in English. Most business and traffic signs are also in English. Tourists won’t have much trouble finding his or her way around town, shopping for specialty items or ordering one’s favorite dishes at a restaurant. This is very helpful for first-timers.

Food

Say hello to authentic Cantonese fare ranging from street-style beef brisket noodles to the glistening skin of a whole roast goose. Don’t forget the steamed and fried dumplings and the street food skewers served with curry. Rice is abundant here as well, so the menu is very family-friendly.

Weather

Book a flight around November to February, and experience super cold weather. It’s the type where one can double (or triple) down on layers and step inside establishments to enjoy the heater. Walking around tourist spots would be less burdensome and become a more pleasurable experience.

MTR

The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) of Hong Kong is simply amazing and super easy to navigate. With a map in hand, one can easily go to most (if not, all) popular tourist destinations with ease. The stops are fairly easy to memorize since they are presented in a more “linear” format as compared to criss-crossing lines. Purchase an “Octopus Card” and have it reloaded with cash in the station or some convenience stores for easier transfers via buses and trains.

Disneyland

There are only six Disneyland theme parks with castles around the world: California, Florida, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Cebuanos need a visa to visit the other five, but they don’t t need one to step right into Hong Kong Disneyland. Enjoy the food, the rides, the shows and the overall magic. Remember to stay for the theme park’s daily finale, “Momentous,” the magic and lights show that runs 20 minutes, packed with moving music and memorable moments.

What about those who have been to Hong Kong already? The place remains a hot spot for food tripping and shopping ranging from the affordable to luxurious. It has also carved itself as one of the premier destinations for contemporary art in this part of the globe.

One can never get enough of Hong Kong, distinctly charming in its own special way. Discover Hong Kong for the first time or again and again.