Seventeen ancestral homes from all over the Philippines have been conserved by their owners and turned into historical spots to be enjoyed by the public. Ancestral houses [via Esquire Philippines] Esquire magazine listed the 17 heritage houses that have been saved for their historical value and repurposed into hotels, museums, restaurants, and the likes, to be profitable. La Casita Mercedes, Makati City Pre-war residence repurposed into a bed and breakfast Dycaico Ancestral House, Angeles City, Pampanga Now the home to Chef Sau’s 25 Seeds Restaurant, a multi-purpose hall with a rural bank and tutorial center Cafe Apolonio, Bustos, Bulacan Formerly the Casa Apolonio of the 1850s, the café serves Filipino and Spanish cuisine Camalig Restaurant, Angeles, Pampanga Grain depot for 100 years before being repurposed into a restaurant that offers the classic family recipe of Armando’s Pizza 1335 Mabini, Mabini, Ermita, Manila Originally the Casa Tesoro vacation house that is now a contemporary art gallery Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio 1900s Boutique Hotel, one of the oldest, and main tourist attractions with a restaurant, cinematheque, spa, and bookshop The Henry Hotel, Manila Formerly a compound of over five houses that used to be the home to a Filipino-Chinese business owner and his family in the 1940s, is now home to a hotel, the Avella Art Gallery, and fashion design house of Jojie Lloren Limbaga 77, Quezon City A former 1940s-style home is now a restaurant on Timog Paradores del Castillo, Taal, Batangas Spanish-American home built in 1900s now turned Read More …
National Geographic Travel has identified the Philippines as one of the “10 Places That Deserve More Travelers.” Banaue Rice Terraces [via National Geographic Travel] NatGeo travel writer Tara Isabella Burton recommended coming to the Philippines’ many tourist-friendly destinations outside the Sulu archipelago, such as the Banaue Rice Terraces. Burton beckons travelers to “Visit the country’s ice-white beaches, or head inland to stunning places like Banaue and Batan, both on North Luzon–the archipelago’s biggest island–to visit two-thousand- year-old rice terraces–UNESCO World Heritage sites each violently blindingly, green.” NatGeo encourages visitors to keep coming to the tourist economy-reliant Philippines saying, “The local tribes who live around the terraces sustain themselves though tourism–so contribute to the local economy by hiring a hiking guide (around 15 dollars) and participating in homestays, like Ramon’s: where you can spend the night in a traditional Ifugao hut.” The Philippines and the other 9 countries in the NatGeo list “can offer not just an unforgettable vacation experience but also an opportunity to engage with cultures and practices outside one’s own experience.” The travel authority counters the image of an unsafe world created by news, stating that unusual destinations are actually safer to explore these days using the internet for research. NatGeo Travel placed the country at 5 th spot in the list saying that despite a U.S. government warning due to terror attacks and political flak the current administration is receiving for how it handles its drug war, the South East Asian nation is worth the bit of risk and Read More …
Filipino food chain Jollibee has made it to the Top 10 fast food list released by FoodBeast in the United States. Jollibee Chicken Joy [via Instagram] The FoodBeast list of “The Top 10 Fast Food Fried Chicken Joints In The USA” declared Jollibee’s Chicken Joy as supreme saying, “Jollibee is the Filipino fast food chain that's gonna take over the United States because of their BOMB fried chicken.” Writer Constantine Spyrou placed the Filipino favorite fried chicken in the No. 3 spot over other fried chickens: “What makes it stand out beyond the rest, however, is a gravy packed with flavors of onion and celery that is absolutely ethereal. You almost want a whole bucket of the gravy just to dip into the chicken, it's that good. The unique savory notes of that gravy compliment fried chicken in a way that no other fast food chain on this list can replicate, and it's why Jollibee deserves such a high spot on this list.” Jollibee chicken made it to the list of the tastiest fried chicken food chains in America along with other fried chickens with “crispy skin with the tender, delicious meat inside is hard to resist, no matter what chain you go to.” The Filipino food chain has established stores across the world with the most concentration of overseas Filipino migrants like America, Canada, and Italy. Jollibee’s inclusion in the list is based on the travels of the Foodbeast crew, national impact, and overall quality of fried chicken. Read More …
Internationally-renowned film directors Brillante Mendoza and Lav Diaz have been welcomed to the Oscars’ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) Class of 2017. Lav Diaz and Brilliante Mendoza [via Inquirer] The two Filipino independent filmmakers join the 774 new members of the Academy, in the branch of 64 new member directors. The Academy credits Lav Diaz for his 8-hour historical fantasy drama film “A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery” which won for Diaz the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize at the 66th Berlinale, and his 4-hour drama mystery film “Norte, the End of History” which was exhibited in June at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Brillante Mendoza was cited by the Academy for his drama film “Thy Womb” which stars award-winning Filipino actress Nora Aunor, and crime drama film “Kinatay” for which he won Best Director at 62nd Cannes- the first Filipino to receive the award. Since 1953, the Philippines has been submitting an entry to the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film but has yet to receive a nomination. Both Mendoza and Diaz have one film submitted as an entry, writes Conan Atlantis in an article posted on Mendoza’s website. Diaz’s Norte was submitted to the 87 th Academy Awards in 2014. Mendoza’s “Ma’Rosa,” which won Best Actress for Jaclyn Jose at the Cannes and Best Director for Mendoza at the 54 th Gijon, was submitted to the 89 th Oscars in 2016. Diaz and Mendoza join the Academy Class of 2017 which raises Read More …
Globe Telecom launches TM Sports Para sa Bayan 2017, a program specifically designed to give underprivileged youth a chance to improve their lives and reach their dreams through sports. Globe launches TM Sports Para sa Bayan together with Malaysia’s Astro via its subsidiary Tribe. In photo from left to right: Iskandar Samad, Tribe CEO; Joenard Erojo, shortlisted football program candidate; Maui Rabuco, Brand Manager for TM; Princess Lovely Magbago, shortlisted candidate; Deeg Rodriguez, Assistant Manager of Green Archers United; Rofil Magto; Manager, Globe Citizenship; and Cesar De Torres Jr., shortlisted candidate. The program is spearheaded by Globe TM, the fastest growing mobile brand in terms of customer base, with over 29.4 million customers and counting. This developed as Globe announced the partnership with leading content and consumer company in Southeast Asia, Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Astro) and its regional over-the-top (OTT) streaming service Tribe for the second straight year. The tie-up will again allow talented Filipino kids to get a chance to undergo the Astro Kem Bola Advanced Training Program in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and, potentially, the Overseas Training Camp in Barcelona, Spain by coaches from FC Barcelona Football Academy (FCBEscola) later this year. “We are happy to take our sports outreach program beyond Malaysia to provide talented kids within the region an avenue to achieve their dreams. We believe in the comprehensive development of an athlete and look forward to supporting the advancement of football amongst youth in the region through strategic collaborations such as the one we have Read More …
Spiderman’s sidekick in the new “Homecoming” movie is a Filipino who is debuting on the blockbuster screen with the new Marvel hero film. Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon in a scene from Spider-Man Homecoming Filipino-American actor Jacob Batalon plays the part of Peter Parker’s best friend, Ned Leeds, and sidekick to the masked hero. Marvel has depicted the Ned character from white American to Asian American. The new Spiderman: Homecoming movie has Leeds playing a high school teenager who is living the dream when he finds out his best friend is actually Spiderman. His characterization of the hero’s buddy has been called “charming” and “funny.” “I’m really proud to be able to be this version of the character,” said Batalon in an NBC news report. “I’m proud to represent the Asian community, and I’m proud that Filipinos are proud [of me]. I’m glad that I get to be that guy.” The role is Batalon’s debut in a major Hollywood project after graduating from the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. The Hawaii native was an aspiring musician who sings and plays the ukulele, piano, and guitar, and has studied music theory in Honolulu. He left school without finishing his degree after being scouted by a Los Angeles agent who came to Hawaii. Batalon auditioned for the part with a self-made video as he was wrapping up his studies in New York. He received a callback to screen test with Tom Holland who plays Spiderman. Batalon recalls hitting it off with Read More …
Young Filipina figure skaters brought pride to the Philippines by bringing home a total of 12 gold and 6 silver medals from the 29th Annual Skate Japan 2017. The Philippine contingent to Skate Japan 2017 [by Al Marinas via Manila Bulletin] The Philippine team medal tally: Seven-year- old Ayasofya Vittoria Aguirre – 3 golds (artistic elements, technical elements, footwork elements), 1 silver Seven-year- old Shaelynn Adrianne Bolos – 3 golds and 1 silver Eight-year-old Hossana Immanuela Valdez – 3 golds Eleven-year- old Mishka Bolos – 2 golds and 1 silver Twelve-year- old Maegan Ramos – 1 gold and 1 silver Thirteen-year- old Yuria Yumoto – 2 silvers It was the first event outside the Philippines for Aguirre who was also voted “Best in Artistic Performance.” The Philippine team at the 29th edition of Skate Japan competed against the best figure skaters from Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The post Filipina figure skaters win 12 gold, 6 silver in Japan appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Filipina skaters rule Asian Jr Figure Skating Challenge Filipino choir Boscorale wins gold in Japan Triple Fret Filipina guitarists win Japan guitar fest PH math students wins 2 gold, 2 silver in China
Christina Borromeo-Gaston, a furniture designer based in Negros, has been selected as the Philippine awardee at the ASEAN Selections 2017 in Thailand. Foliage by Christina Gaston [via Facebook] Gaston, Creative Director of Hacienda Crafts, was recognized for her entry from her Hacienda Crafts’ Foliage Series of Coconut Twig Leaves, which was adjudged winner by a panel of judges from Thailand, Japan, and Korea. “Foliage” describes the inspiration and concept of the series as: “We live surrounded by life. We must pay attention to it, take care of it.” The designer was one of the 9 awardees recognized by Amparwon Pichalai, CEO of Support Arts and Crafts International Center of Thailand (SACICT). “It is an honor to be alongside other ASEAN awardees who are amazing craftsmen, artisans, designers and artists,” Gaston said in a PNA release. Gaston, president of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), was nominated by the Design Center of the Philippines. “I am encouraging Filipinos to be proud of our heritage and express it because it is our own,” she said, adding that “to our Negrense producers, continue to develop excellent products for the world. Gaston has urged fellow Filipino producers to take care of, preserve, and propagate the country’s natural resources to be able to use them for generations to come. The post Negrense furniture maker bags Asian award in Thailand appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Nora, Brillante Mendoza film bags Cannes special award Jake Cuenca bags best actor award in World Cinema Read More …

Armando Bartolome Technological advancements have brought people closer. It is now possible to reach people across the globe with just a few clicks. People from different parts of the world, coming from different cultural backgrounds, are now working and communicating together. Thus, for many businesses, it is very important for managers and staff to understand cultural diversity. We need to be sensitive and respectful. We need to understand that what is accepted as normal in one culture may not be acceptable to another. If your business is in a multicultural environment, understanding differences in culture will help you better deal with and motivate your business associates and employees. DIFFERENCES IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT STYLES Business management styles differ from country to country. A management style which is valued in European countries may be ineffective in the Philippines. You may have noticed how Filipinos often address their subordinates using their first name which is considered as a normal gesture in the Philippines. But this will be perceived as impolite in European countries. Many business leaders today share similar values as well as leadership styles. Nevertheless, we should note that management styles differ across countries because of the influence of political changes, the level of mobility, market globalization and the technological progress. Additionally, management styles also depend on the level of education, economic development, corporate culture and available technology. The conventional management style may vanish in time as globalization progresses and more and more businesses deal with multiple cultures and countries. DIFFERENCES IN Read More …

World famous Palawan and Boracay are again leading the World’s Top 10 Islands survey conducted by Travel and Leisure. Palawan [via Travel and Leisure] Palawan, renowned for being home to Seven Wonders of the World’s Puerto Princesa subterranean river and world class top luxury resort Amanpulo, kept its 2016 position as the top-ranked island worldwide with a score of 93.15. This is the third time for Palawan to rank first on the World’s Top 10 Islands after it topped the 2013 survey. Boracay, popular for its white sandy beaches and tourist-haven resorts, ranked third with 89.67 – one spot lower than its 2nd place ranking in the 2016 survey. Boracay [via Travel and Leisure] Travel and Leisure writer Rebecca Ascher-Walsh praised the Philippine archipelago’s natural wonders, saying Palawan with its “… verdant mountains, a five-mile- long underground river, limestone caves, and spectacular scuba diving, its appeal is as clear as its turquoise waters.” Travel and Leisure readers describe Palawan in the survey saying, “It’s the single most beautiful place on earth.” The best island in the world, rated by readers “according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value,” is described by the surveyed travelers as “rustic,” “romantic,” “affordable,” and “relaxing.” The travel magazine list also highlighted Palawan’s main island, 1,800 surrounding islets and island outposts. The post T&L survey picks Palawan Best Island in the World appeared first on Good News Pilipinas. Related posts: Palawan Best Island in World, Boracay, Cebu join list Palawan, Read More …