Sen. Imee Marcos asks PBBM to declare state of emergency in NegOr

NEGROS ORIENTAL—Senator Imee Marcos asked President BBM to declare a state of emergency in the entire province in Negros Oriental to speed up the arrest not only of the hitmen and paymasters but also the mastermind and all others who conspired in this heinous crime.

Marcos Marcos paid her last respects and condoled with the family of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, who was assassinated on March 4. 

"This cannot go unpunished and the perpetrators of this heinous crime, barbaric and cowardly as it is, should be punished as soon as possible,” she said.(Photos: Robby Alugar)

 

 

 

Over 9,500 runners join SM2SM Run 11 at SM Seaside

CEBU CITY—More than 9,500 running enthusiasts from all over the country joined the SM2SM Run on March 5 after a two-year hiatus, now on its 11^th year and is considered one of the biggest and cash-rich running events in the Visayas with runners local and foreign look forward to every first quarter of the year.

The run started in SM Seaside City Cebu passing the scenic view of the South Road Properties, the historic Plaza Independencia, S. Osmena Avenue, Brgy. Mabolo, SM City Cebu, TESDA, going to Banilad in Cebu City.

 “We missed you in the last 2 years. Our last run was February 2020, and I hope you all enjoyed the SM2SM Run this year. We have over 50 raffle prizes and we hope to give even more and bigger prizes on March next year. Cheers to SM2SM Run!” Marissa Fernan, Vice President of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. said.

The run featured 4K, 8K, 12K, and 21K categories and added a category exclusive for persons with disabilities (PWD) with its own set of winners and prizes.

This year's SM2SM Run gave over P650,000 worth of cash prizes plus 11 Smart TV’s; 11 smartphones; 11 branded eyewear from Vision Express; 11 PHP5,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates and a brand-new Suzuki S-Presso during the raffle draw held at the awarding ceremony at the Mountain Wing Atrium.

32-year-old Christy Zusette Bejona from Dalaguete, Cebu who ran the 12k category won the grand raffle prize, a Suzuki S-Presso. Bejona expressed her excitement as she received her prize. “Nakadaug na gyud in a lifetime” (I finally won something after a lifetime), said Bejona.

SM Supermalls tapped Philippine Red Cross, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), Radio Emergency Assistance Volunteer Organization (REAVO), Perpetual Succour Hospital, Talisay City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) to respond to the medical needs of the runners in case of emergency.

The SM2SM Run 11 is for the benefit of Cebu Newspaper Workers Foundation, Inc. (Photos: SM)

 

 

International Travel Fair 2023 all set for March 24-26 at Ayala Mall

CEBU CITY – The International Travel Fair (ITF) 2023 is all set for March 24-26 at the Ayala Center Cebu with the theme, “Exactly What You Need” and is expecting more than 100 exhibitors from the airlines, hotels, resorts, tour and travel agencies, cruises, visa specialists, travel insurance, regional tourism boards and all other tourism and travel stakeholders bringing actual itineraries for the wanderlust in us.

In a media launch on March 2 at Seda Central Bloc, #MyEventology partner Stephanie Villahermosa said that this is the 8^th edition of the International Travel Fair, which is a consumer travel show that started in 2015 to inspire travelers and stakeholders alike to explore the country and beyond.

“I can feel that the revenge travel is here. We are expecting the enthusiasm of all to travel with the seasons of summer, spring, fall and winter.  That is why we boldly say: ITF 2023, is Exactly What You Need!” Villahermosa added.

She recalled that the ITF 2022 was a game changer.  It brought the spark the tourism industry needed to restart travel confidently after a global pandemic paralyzed travel. People started moving, making plans and slowly traveling within the country first then going further.

The ITF 202 had 56 exhibitors translated to 102 booths with close to 190,000-foot traffic visitors generating business receipts amounting to P82M. The Department of Tourism (DOT)-Central Visayas also showcased new circuits and programs with the first ever OUTDOOR7 forum at The Gallery section of the venue covering DIVE, sports, pilgrimage and culinary itineraries.

According to Villahermosa, the ITF sees repeat exhibitors year after year with the advantages they gained from their participation.  As for the new exhibitors, they quickly become fast friends with ITF and eager to secure booths at the exhibition area.

No marketing activity can match ITF with the right preparation, exceptional execution and responsible involvement of the organizers and partners. Indeed, the media launch at Seda Central Bloc recently attested to the enthusiasm of exhibitors, social media influencers and bloggers alike to move forward and discover exactly what they want for 2023.

Games, games, games and games to liven the ITF 2023 media launch... and the winners took home prizes galore like airline tickets,  GCs for dining and staycations at various hotels and resorts in Cebu, Boracay, Manila and Mindanao with the highlight prize of "Pera O Luggage?" with Carlo Olano choosing the contents of the luggage.  

Mark the dates, March 24-26 at Ayala Center Cebu for the much-awaited International Travel Fair 2023.  "Exactly What You Want!"

 

 

 

 

VISCOM supports DND-Cebu Province agreement returning 19 lots to Cebu Province

CAMP LAPULAPU -- Visayas Command (VISCOM) supported the Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 27 at the Brigadier General Benito N Ebuen Air Base (BGBNEAB) in Mactan, Cebu between the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Cebu Provincial Government, returning the 19 additional lots occupied in Camp Lapulapu to the Cebu Province, in a  simple ceremony graced by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr., the Officer-In-Charge of the DND with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who represented Cebu Provincial Government in the MOA.

Vice Governor Hilario Davide III and General Andres Centino, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) witnessed the landmark signing. They were joined by Lieutenant General Benedict Arevalo PA, the Commander of VISCOM, and other AFP Senior Officers based in the province.

The DND will return the titles of 18 lots occupied by the AFP to Cebu Province and will subsequently turn over one of the 13 remaining titles upon completion of the replication and relocation of DND-AFP affected structures, facilities, and utilities, as stated in the agreement.

The Cebu Provincial Government on the other hand, allocates funds for the construction of the facilities and infrastructure of VISCOM and its displaced units to their new location site. The agreement also stipulated for the DND to turn over to the Cebu Province the remaining 12 lots upon full completion of the functional replication of VISCOM's structures identified by the AFP.

"VISCOM expresses its noble intent to accord its support to the agreement between the DND and the Provincial Government of Cebu as we are not only eager to conform with the execution of policies, but also strengthen our relationship with the local government," Lt Gen Arevalo said.

Arevalo added that the event manifests the teamwork and strong partnership between the AFP and the local government, as he reassured that VISCOM remains a reliable and credible partner in ensuring peace and facilitating development in the Visayas region. (Photos: Viscom FB/Google Images)

MPIC’s mWell bags 2023 GLOMO Best Mobile Innovation for Digital Life Award

MANILA-- Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s (MPIC) mWell recently bagged the highly- coveted 2023 Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO) Best Mobile Innovation for Digital Life Award, Digital Everything Category, in the Mobile World Congress, Barcelona Spain, March 1, 2023.

The awards celebrate the companies, individuals and governments who have driven the greatest innovation in mobile and adjacent industries.

This prestigious accolade, judged by the mobile industry’s most prominent experts, affirms mWell’s position at the forefront of the digital shift as it rose above all other global brands.

MPIC Chief Finance, Risk and Sustainability Officer and mWell CEO Chaye Cabal-Revilla, in her acceptance speech said that this appreciation of mWell’s efforts inspires them to keep going and to remain at the forefront of digital healthcare in the Philippines.  

Revilla went on that as the country’s first and only health and wellness mega app, its innovative digital solutions continue to respond to the country’s needs, ensuring good health and enabling economic productivity and nation-building through a fully integrated, sustainable and future-proof digital platform.

“This award fuels our passion for inspiring positive change and continuing to be an instrument for our country’s sustainable development. At mWell, we make health and wellness affordable, available, and accessible to every Filipino anytime, anywhere,” Cabal-Revilla added.

mWell’s competitive advantage

 mWell continues to blaze trails in digital healthcare as it becomes the #1 health and fitness app in Google Play Store starting February.  In its awards entry, mWell showcased its winning edge.

mWell believes that uplifting the lives of Filipinos is a prerequisite to national progress.  mWell, the country’s first fully integrated and fully digital health and wellness app vetted by data privacy and cybersecurity experts, brings healthcare closer to Filipinos wherever they may be.

At their fingertips, users have access to quality but affordable healthcare and wellness programs anytime, anywhere. It breaks down geographic boundaries through technology, giving 24/7 access to primary care doctors, specialists, mind health experts, home care experts, emergency services, fitness, and food and nutrition programs.

Through the mWell ecosystem, doctors can serve patients beyond their geographic areas. To consult, patients simply need to download the app and sign in.  After the video consultation, they will receive the doctor’s notes, medical certificate, and e-prescription. They can even have the medicines delivered right at their doorstep.

mWell also promotes preventive healthcare.  It has an “mWellness Score” developed by data scientists, which measures the physical health based on individual’s activities – exercise, light activity, steps, sleep.  

It has specialized fitness programs, including diabetes prevention and post-partum exercise designed to assist new moms to get back in shape safely and healthily; and nutrition programs designed by experts.

mWell is both a digital health service and an advocacy, the app has lined-up of firsts covers product features, innovations not only for patients but also for doctors.  It launched the biggest nationwide digital medical mission where Filipinos can consult for free with hundreds of volunteer doctors and mind health experts during the mWellness Day.

For affordable consultations, mWell was the first to offer telemedicine through a sachet health pass-- the Healthsavers Plan P399 which comes with one consult and free accident insurance worth P20,000. This may also be sent as a gift to loved ones and friends, allowing mWell app users to easily be agents of good health.

Breaking barriers through digital healthcare, mWell has made the Healthsavers Plan available globally to over 10 million Filipino migrant workers who sacrifice being away from families to provide food on the table and education for their children. They may easily send their families the health pass as a gift and allow them to conveniently consult with mWell partner-doctors.

mWell is the only healthcare app among the convenor organizations and supporting companies in the GoDigital Pilipinas movement which advocates digitalization initiatives to empower Filipinos through technology. (Photos: mWell FB)