The Worst Pandemics to Ever Hit the Philippines

James Gonzales History, Trending 0 Comment

The last few months have seen an unexpected upending of the modern way of life. Countries all over the world have been instituting quarantine and lockdown efforts in order to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, now named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19, first described as a “pneumonia of unknown origin,” was first discovered in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China in late December 2019.

After its spread through mainland China and other countries, it was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by WHO on January 30, 2020. By March 11, WHO declared it was a pandemic, urging countries to ramp up their responses to the virus in order to curb the spread. As of April 3, 2020, COVID-19 has infected over 1 million people worldwide, causing 53,238 deaths, affecting 204 countries and territories.

Read more

50 Most Popular Fashion Influencers in 2020 in the Philippines

Jane Adamson Fashion, Trending 0 Comment

Fashion has always had its leaders, from style icons like Twiggy in the 1960s to Kate Moss of the 1990s. These icons have shaped the tastes of a decade, sometimes a generation, showing consumers what’s in and what’s not. But as the Internet became more of a daily presence and the advent of social media led to shifts in consumer habits, fashion has begun to change.

According to Business of Fashion, 78% of brands used fashion influencers in their marketing in 2017, with over USD$ 2 billion spent on influencer marketing in that year alone. The power of the influencer is strong, and with social media’s growing reach, it can only get even stronger. Previously, we wrote about the ’50 Most Popular Social Media Influencers in 2020 in the Philippines’. Today, we’ll take a closer look at just who these Filipino fashion leaders are, and why you should follow them.

Read more

50 Most Popular Social Media Influencers in 2020 in the Philippines

Jane Adamson Fashion, Food, Lifestyle, Travel, Trending 0 Comment

Social media has become an almost inescapable part of our daily lives. Ever since the emergence of social media platforms in the late 90s, modern society has learned to connect and communicate in ways that would have almost seemed impossible decades before. Social media influences the way we speak, the music we listen to, where we travel, what we eat, and what we wear— and at the forefront of that are the influencers.

In 2018, the Association of National Advertisers found that 75% of national advertisers in the US use influencer marketing, and 43% were planning to increase their spending on it in the next year. Influencers awe, inform, and yes, entertain, and social media would certainly be a different place without them. If you’re looking to spice up your Instagram feed, then here’s a list of the fifty top social media influencers in the Philippines.

Read more

Learning About Indonesia’s Ancient Culture in the Tana Toraja

James Gonzales History, Travel 0 Comment

Traveling is an opportunity to visit areas that are off the beaten path. With access to different areas in the world steadily growing thanks to improvements in transport and tourism, more people have the opportunity now to explore hidden gems. More than just seeing the sights or checking out the most Instagrammable spots, travelers should use the experience to enrich themselves and learn more about a place’s history and culture.

Previously on the blog, we’ve talked about ’10 Famous Mountains in the Philippines‘. Today, let’s dive into one of the richest cultures in Indonesia, Tana Toraja.

Read more

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa – How to Apply

James Gonzales Travel 0 Comment

Steps on How to Apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

Like any visa application process, there are certain steps you need to follow in order to ensure a successful application. Make sure that you have prepared all the required and supporting documents, as well as paid the necessary fees. You can view the list of required and supporting documents for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa here.

Below are the steps to apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa:

Read more

J1 Visa Philippines

James Gonzales Travel 0 Comment

Opening opportunities for knowledge and skills exchange is essential to the career of any student or professional. These opportunities may not always be limited to the Philippines– in fact, broadening one’s horizon in a foreign country is an experience that many should take advantage of. If you’re a student or professional in the Philippines, visa concerns remain one of the biggest hurdles to taking up further studies and training abroad. The visa application process can be long and arduous, and only proper preparation can result in an approved visa.

The Philippines has friendly relationships with a lot of countries, which at the very least increases the chances of visa approval. One of the types of visa Filipino citizens can apply for is the J-1 visa. The U.S. Government’s Exchange Visitor Program and J1 visa means that participants have the opportunity to engage with U.S. culture, strengthen their English language skills, and learn and build new skills that will help them further their careers. The J1 visa stands out from other visa types by allowing successful applicants the opportunity for professional growth that may not have been available to them otherwise.

Read more

Entertainment City: City of Dreams Manila

James Gonzales Food, Lifestyle, Travel 0 Comment
Image from World Casinos Directory.

The second casino and resort to rise in the Entertainment City complex, City of Dreams saw its doors open with a soft opening on December 14, 2014, and a grand opening on February 2, 2015. It celebrated its inauguration with a bang through the Concert of Dreams, which featured local talents like Gary Valenciano and Zsa Zsa Padilla, as well as international stars like Ne-Yo and Kelly Rowland.

City of Dreams is a sister resort to City of Dreams in Macau, but it has its own unique Manila flair that makes it stand out. The resort has six hotel towers with 938 rooms, including Nobu Hotel, Nuwa (formerly known as Crown Towers), and a Hyatt Regency Hotel.

In addition to this, City of Dreams is also a gamer’s haven, with 289 gaming tables, 1,620 slot machines, and 176 electronic table games. For shopaholics, it’s also home to The Shops at the Boulevard, an almost 80,000 square meter shopping mall housing the best local and international brands around. Families will also enjoy DreamPlay, a theme park located in the complex that was developed in partnership with DreamWorks Animation, as well as The Garage, a VR play and dining experience that’ll knock your socks off.

One of the most awe-inspiring sites in the City of Dreams complex includes the Fortune Egg, a dome-like building that houses two of the best international nightclubs in Manila. Visitors can choose between Chaos or Pangaea, both of which were developed by the group of “International King of Clubs” Michael Van Cleef Ault.

Read more

Entertainment City: Solaire Resort and Casino

James Gonzales Food, Lifestyle, Travel 0 Comment
Image from Frontera.net

When it comes to glitz and glamor in the Philippines, Solaire Resort and Casino has quickly climbed to the top of the list after its opening in 2013. The first of four resorts to operate in Manila’s Entertainment City, Solaire first opened its doors on March 16, 2013, with 800 guest rooms, suites, and villas.

It currently holds the distinction of being the tallest hotel in the Manila Bay area, and features a column-free grand ballroom that can accommodate 1,300 guests, 8 function rooms and 2 boardrooms with audiovisual equipment, leisure, live entertainment, dining, and retail hubs, and the Theatre at Solaire, which houses 1,740 seats and a retail space of 60,000 square meters. Last but definitely not the least, Solaire also boasts an 18,500 square meter gaming area with 1,620 slot machines and 360 gaming tables.

Read more

Bright Lights and Big Games: A Primer on Manila’s Entertainment City

James Gonzales Food, Lifestyle, Travel 0 Comment
Image taken from Entertainment City Manila’s homepage.

Bright lights, gaming and leisure, and balmy, tropical weather— these words don’t just describe entertainment tourism stalwarts like Las Vegas and Macau. When it comes to leisure, there’s a new kid on the proverbial block, and it looks like it’s aiming to be a powerhouse. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)’s Entertainment City has been in operation for several years, and is well on its way to transforming the face of Philippine tourism.

With integrated resorts and casinos, as well as dozens of high-end shopping and dining prospects, Entertainment City showcases the best of Philippine entertainment tourism. Here’s a primer on what you can expect from the glitz and glamor of this expanding gaming and entertainment complex.

Read more