The Best Online Learning Platforms in the Philippines

James Gonzales Lifestyle, Trending 0 Comment

The times, they are a-changing— more quickly in some ways than others. With the global pandemic still underway and an already delayed school year close to starting, students and learners in the Philippines have been forced to reckon with online learning. While the provision of courses and certificates online is nothing new, it’s certainly never been at the forefront of national and international conversation like this. Even top universities in the Philippines are struggling to find ways to offer online courses and distance learning options to students.

As the country attempts to settle down into a new normal, it’s time to take a look at learning options that exist outside of a school’s four walls. College courses aren’t the only opportunity for further education, and there are a surprising number of options available for Filipinos who want to do more skills development online. This brand new world has closed some doors but opened others, and there’s no better time than the present to take a chance. Here are a few of the best online learning platforms in the Philippines for both students and professionals.

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When Will Boracay Open Up to Foreign Tourists?

James Gonzales Uncategorized 0 Comment

With over 36,000 kilometers of coastline and thousands of beaches spread over the archipelago, the Philippines has rightly gained a reputation as a beach lover’s paradise. The balmy, tropical weather, plethora of white sand beaches, and beautiful waters of the Pacific make it an island destination unlike any other. It’s no surprise, then, why tourism made up 12.7% of the Philippines’ GDP in 2020.

And if you’re looking for a bit more variety, there’s something out there for everyone. For example, we’ve previously written about the ’10 Best Surfing Sites in the Philippines’, including internationally renowned surf spot Siargao. The country is also home to awe-inspiring sights like the black sand beaches of Albay and the karst towers of Northern Palawan.

However, if there’s one place that comes to mind when you talk about idyllic vacation spots in the Philippines, it’s Boracay Island. A cornerstone of Philippine tourism, Panay News reported a whopping 2 million tourists visited the island in 2019 alone. Its pristine waters, fine white sand, and lively nightlife have made it the premiere beach destination in the country. But how is it holding up in the age of COVID-19?

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Best Dog Breeds for Condos in the Philippines

Jane Adamson Lifestyle 0 Comment

If there’s one saying that’s especially true in the Philippines, it’s that no man is an island. Filipinos are sociable and need community, and sometimes that sense of companionship is provided by an adorable furry friend. We’ve previously discussed the popular dog breeds in the Philippines, the Philippines’ favorite small dog breeds, and pet-friendly restaurants in Metro Manila. Today, we’ll move a little closer to home— your home, in fact.

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COVID-19 and Transportation in the Philippines

James Gonzales Uncategorized 0 Comment

Since the appearance of the first case of COVID-19 on Philippine shores, the country has seen a rapid shift in attitudes and cultural norms. The presence of a pandemic has created a need for increased health and safety measures across the country, many of which have changed the fabric of Philippine society completely.

We’ve previously discussed the beginning and impact of COVID-19 in previous articles on this site. We had a brief introduction to the novel coronavirus in our article titled ‘The Worst Pandemics to Ever Hit the Philippines’. As the spread of the virus progressed all over the world, norms around working have changed, as you’ll find in our article ’30 Tips for Professionals Working from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic’. And finally, post-Enhanced Community Quarantine, we’ve taken a look at COVID-19’s impact on the Philippines’ tourism industry.

We’re only just beginning to understand the breadth of the impact of the virus on our daily lives. On the whole, the Philippines has begun working towards a return to normalcy, but there are some things that have turned out different. In today’s article, we’ll take a look at one of these changes: what COVID-19 has done to the transportation sector in the Philippines.

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How COVID-19 Is Affecting the Tourism Industry in the Philippines

James Gonzales Travel, Trending 0 Comment

The past few months have seen a number of unprecedented changes in nearly every aspect of our lives. The ways we socialize, eat, go to work, travel, and more are all nearly unrecognizable when compared to our lifestyles six months ago, and we’re only beginning to scratch the surface. The effects of the global pandemic COVID-19 are far reaching, and are likely to be felt years and years into the future.

We’ve touched on the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in a previous article titled ‘The Worst Pandemics to Ever Hit the Philippines’. In that article, we gave a brief overview of the timeline of the pandemic in the Philippines. In the months since, COVID-19 has prompted a complete overhaul of Philippine society, which remains under the world’s longest lockdown as reported by The Telegraph.

While we struggle to comprehend the depths of the pandemic’s impact on the Philippine economy, lifestyle, and education, there are certain sectors that have been harder hit than others. One of these sectors is, predictably, travel and tourism. Since flights first began slowing down and then stopping completely at the beginning of 2020, the industry has had to completely restructure. Here’s a look at just how the Philippine tourism industry has changed, and what it could look like in the future.

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Cultivating a Queer-Friendly Culture in the Workplace

James Gonzales Business, Lifestyle 0 Comment

Though it is still a hard pill to swallow, we have to address the fact that discrimination continues to be a way of life for a lot of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) employees. A well-written piece by GLAAD’s Michaela Krejcova explains that over 40% of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals have gone through employment harassment and mistreatment at some point in their professional lives. We have not even mentioned the 90% of transgender people who have experienced the same ordeal – if not worse. In essence, this is not only bad for LGBTQ workers, but also bad for companies as a whole.

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Professional Development in Today’s Digital Landscape

Daniel Ling Tech, Business 0 Comment

Learning is often difficult and painful, but you should never stop. Medium highlighted an interesting analogy on the topic, comparing it to a coconut in such a way that it is hard and messy at first, yet rich and sweet once you get to open it. Wherever you are on the business spectrum, whether you’re a wide-eyed student or a fresh graduate, a nervous first jobber or an influential decision-maker, you should always look to absorb new skills and adapt to the ever-changing demands of society.

A huge part of training is the principle of continuously sharpening your existing skills while acquiring new ones along the way. Considering that most companies rely on technology every single day – from recognising and reaching out to their target market, to planning and developing content – knowing how to learn and adapt can get you far in life. Training in anything related to tech and digital marketing can fill skill gaps, ensuring relevancy in fast-evolving areas of knowledge.

In other words, digital marketing is not just the future—it is the now.

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The Viability of an eSports Bar as a Business

Daniel Ling Tech, Trending 0 Comment

There’s no denying it: eSports have gone mainstream.

The significant presence of it in pop culture has added a new facet in the world of competitive gaming, rolling the red carpet for a new breed of cyber athletes and fans altogether. On the other hand, eSports still have the tendency to remain niched, in such a way that despite its legions of followers worldwide, there’s still the issue of inaccessibility.

This inaccessibility specifically affects beginners and/or novices who are looking for a nearby community that can cater to their needs, whether physically being with a group of people to play with (i.e. gaming nests) or enjoying a live major event with peers in sort of a sports bar.

Previously, we’ve taken a look at the history of eSports in the Philippines and its current state today. This time, let’s take it a step further and look at an eSports bar as a viable business.

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The Importance of Belonging to a Diverse and Inclusive Wellness Space

Jane Adamson Lifestyle 0 Comment

Staying healthy and fit is something that’s deeply personal for each individual. The journey to fitness can mean different things to different people, and because society prioritizes certain body types, that journey can sometimes be difficult. A diverse and inclusive wellness space is something that every person has a right to, and here are a few reasons why.

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The Best Ways to Prepare for a Camper Trip

Jane Adamson Travel 0 Comment

There’s nothing that comes close to the experience of camping in the great outdoors, and thanks to the activity’s growing popularity, it seems most of America is inclined to agree. CNBC reported in 2018 that at least 77 million American households had at least one camper, with numbers growing yearly. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of city and suburban life certainly has its appeal, but the downside is that lifelong urbanites might balk at making the shift.

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