Evo & Grace: The WanderLusts

  As we look forward to better days, Belmont Hotel Manila and Savoy Hotel Manila are getting ready for the “New Normal” as we implement our “#SafeStay… We Care” Health and Safety Campaign .   Caring for the well-being of our guests and team members shall always remain our utmost priority when we open our doors once again. “ Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 health crisis and these unprecedented and uncertain times, the team, through careful planning and coordination, have commenced a series of initiatives to ensure that we shall be ready for the “New Norm” and other Government-mandated protocols once we have resumed normal operations, ” according to Savoy Hotel Manila and Belmont Hotel Manila - Area General Manager, Avinash Menon.   “Additionally , we would like to assure all our patrons and stakeholders that both our Hotels have been regularly and thoroughly Sanitized and Disinfected during the Enhanced Community Quarantine period, and shall continue in t...

Religious processions, live brass bands, street dancing, fireworks, neighborhood feasts: these are the sights and sounds of May, fiesta month in the Philippines. That was before COVID-19. The pandemic may mute the pageantry, but not the Filipino spirit of celebration. Boholanos show how during their “Pista sa Mayo.” Instead of fireworks and an elaborate procession, only a few cars and motorcycles travel along the procession route. Some houses light candles by the roadside, while others open their windows to watch the procession from their homes. “This is fiesta in the COVID era,” says Boholano journalist Rey Chiu. “The fiesta used to be lavish…but not this time,” with mass gatherings prohibited to curb the spread of the virus. With improved connectivity on the island, Boholanos have been using their mobile phones to document festivities and post about them on social media. Parishes have also been using this platform to engage with parishioners and make announcements, like the proces...

Israeli Indie-Folk singer-songwriter VANNA releases Let Me Fall, the second single of her 5-track debut EP High Hopes released via Umami Records. This song explores the meaning of embracing the vulnerability that one has while falling in love. The ambient production centred around a finger picked acoustic guitar and pulsating bass lines exudes a powerful calming feeling to listeners’ ears throughout the song. Produced by Roy Avital of Tel Aviv based indie-electronic trio Garden City Movement and mastered by Matt Colton (James Blake, Muse, Coldplay), Let Me Fall is an ambient-folktronica song about letting yourself fall completely in love, and embracing the vulnerability that comes along with that. “When you fall in love, you expose yourself to getting hurt. It’s an endless paradox. When you let someone enter your inner world, you’re allowing them to gently break down your walls and then amazing things can happen.”, shares VANNA, “I was scared that one day I’d lose this feeling...

NOVUHAIR®, the leading natural hair loss treatment in the Philippines, partnered with The Fit Filipino (FITFIL) Movement lead by Jim & Toni Saret, the brand’s VIP Fitness Coaches, to a FREE 20-day Facebook Live workout aimed at improving your wellness quotient goals through a “Bulletproof Immune System Activity Booster”. This workout program is designed to help beginners and complement the workout of those with active exercise routines. You can still join the program from May 18 until May 29, 2020. Happening everyday from Monday to Friday at 4pm live on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fitfilmovement Learn more at https://bit.ly/3fT3zEm    Optimism Adds Resilience Optimism is a crucial factor on how we choose to navigate our journey to success. Businesses, institutions and various groups have a significant role to play in fostering this especially in times of crisis. From the start of this pandemic, profuse optimism, coupled with genuine concern among key stakeh...

With live shows on a temporary standstill and the global music landscape currently at odds with the challenges that come with the complete shift to the digital realm, more artists are surprisingly making records that represent the specificity of the times. Never mind the logistical restrictions on the music-making process: What’s important is that they’re channeling their personal experiences during forced and self-imposed quarantine through songs that function like the pep talk the world needs right now—most of the time, comforting and hopeful, but sometimes a complete validation of our collective rage, loneliness, and frustration inside.   Now returning with two new singles that capture the universal sentiments of grappling with an invisible peril, The Itchyworms drops back to back releases under Sony Music Philippines—their first under a major label since 2008’s Self-Titled. Two new singles “Armageddon Blues” and “The Silence” are two new songs inspired by th...

It's never a bad time to make your loved one smile with an item from The SM Store. Now, you can take your pick and have it delivered safely to your home. To serve customers better during this time, The SM Store Puerto Princesa offers and delivers selected essential items to their homes with no minimum purchase. Contact The SM Store Puerto Princesa for your orders at 09615277916 or 09459964008. Call or send a message to the branch representative to place your order(s) or inquire about any other item from The SM Store that you might need. You may also contact the Call-to-Deliver hotline (09178001074) via Viber/SMS during operating hours. A branch representative will get in touch with you regarding order confirmation, payment, and delivery details. The following modes of payment will be accepted: Cash on delivery (COD), Credit card payment upon delivery, or Debit card payment upon delivery. For more details, visit https://www.thesmstore.com/ . (PR)

The Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) today launched its emergency OPD consultation number 155225 dedicated for COVID-19-related concerns and cases.  Through PLDT Enterprise, the Lung Center of the Philippines deployed the said emergency hotline to provide health assistance and consultations to Filipinos experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, Asthma, COPD, Bronchiectasis, and Tuberculosis without them needing to personally visit the hospital.  "With this partnership, we aim to support the initiatives of the Lung Center of the Philippines in battling the COVID-19 pandemic so they can efficiently provide timely medical assistance to our fellow countrymen," said Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups.  The hotline was established in line with th...

Happy Mother’s Day! As the old adage goes, “Behind every great man there’s a great woman.” Mayor Francisco Domagoso or simply YORME, shares his heartwarming Mother’s Day message to a great woman behind his great success and to all the Filipino MOMS – the Real VIPs! Watch the full video at https://bit.ly/35O5F3S As the elected City Mayor of Manila, endearingly called by most Filipinos as Yorme , he never wavered amidst adversities hurled at him for taking several steps in making a better version of the city he fondly calls his home and crowning glory. On this special occasion, Yorme encourages all Filipino moms to be stronger for their families while consciously maintaining a healthy work-life balance and to continue their selfless dedication amidst the uncertainties of this pandemic war - “Believe in yourself! You’ve got nothing to lose.” How about making your mom feel that she’s the real VIP today? Discover a natural female hair loss treatment at https://bit...

This quarantine season is not an easy time for most Filipino families. Parents now juggle their work obligations while grappling with their new roles as teachers and playmates of their children. The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) provides families some options to help manage their home life while giving them a chance to experience theater from their own households. The company recently introduced its Let’s Get Creative Plus online workshop, with the Children’s Theater Online pilot class opening this May 18. Participants ages 8-10 will engage in a 5-day online course which involves various creative activities that are hallmarks of PETA’s pedagogy, such as creative movement, music exploration, visual arts, and improvisation. Moreso, children can safely socialize and interact with their fellow kids even in this time of physical distancing and quarantine.   Alongside Let’s Get Creative Plus, PETA continues the free iteration of the Let’s Get Creative series on ...

  As communities around the world struggle with COVID-19, hand washing is consistently mentioned  - even by the World Health Organization  guidelines - as one way to keep ourselves not only clean but safe and healthy. Constantly washing our hands though comes at a price resulting in dry skin. Excessive washing can strip the hands of moisture leaving your skin feeling dry and tight. The good news is that The Body Shop has a range of moisturizing hand wash is the perfect addition to your bathroom and as protection to harmful bacteria. These 100% vegan hand washes lather up instantly and provide extra moisture whilst keeping hands clean and fresh. Here's how you can pamper your hands from The Body Shop. * Drench your hands with the dewy scent of roses with British Rose Hand Wash that leaves your skin feeling fresh and smelling florally fresh infused with the essence of Community Trade handpicked roses from England and Community Trade org...