by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 4, 2019 | Travel
With 7,107 islands, the Philippines offers bodies of water, with highly diverse marine wildlife and seascape, for all kinds of divers and dive enthusiasts to explore. This is making the country a popular major diving hub in Asia.
The Philippines has countless diving spots suitable for divers of different skills – from beginners who are simply looking for fun recreational activities, to intermediate divers seeking new underwater challenges to hone their skills and experts in search of new adventures.
Anilao, Batangas
At the top of the list are Anilao in Batangas and the Tubbataha Reefs in Palawan, with its impressive marine biodiversity and awe-inspiring vertical reef walls dropping to over 100 meters in depth. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park was declared in 1993 a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its high density of marine species and the different kinds of birds and marine turtles.
Tubbataha Reef photo credit to Trip or Treats
Anilao and Tubbataha Reefs diving spots, favorites of deep and open water divers, host different types of sharks, schools of fish, turtles and colorful corals.
Philippine diving map credit to scubadivingfanclub.com
For adventure-seekers and history junkies, the Philippines also has many exciting seafaring stories and countless sunken ships to explore such as World War II vessels, including Japanese freighters and gunboats that have now become homes to various marine species.
The country has ideal training spots to sharpen the skills of neophyte divers. Cebu has underwater caves, passageways and terrains teeming with marine life. Night diving is even possible in a few areas. The open water in El Nido in Palawan and in Cebu are favorite haunts of nocturnal creatures that look majestic in the moonlight.
The Philippines has the most number of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Heritage Parks and has been declared a Flyway Network Site, this refers to the network of important sites used by migratory waterbirds throughout the flyway.
The Philippines truly has so much to offer new and experienced divers, from Subic and Batangas in Luzon; to central Philippines – Cebu, Bohol, Negros Island and Palawan; and Mindanao – Davao and Camiguin, as well as points in-between.
Divers of varying skills will enjoy amazing underwater discoveries underneath the crystal clear waters of the Philippines. The Filipinos’ innate warmth and hospitality, as well as unique Filipino offerings, will make the experience more fun.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | May 3, 2019 | Business
Ideal Vision Center (IVC) is already a household name in the eye health care industry for more than three decades but according to Joy Go, IVC assistant vice president for marketing and merchandising, the vision should not stop there. She believes that the company’s reputation should be treated as an opportunity to continue to educate, innovate and research for the benefit of Filipinos.
“In the Philippines, eye health care is not a priority and we aim to change that mindset. It’s a long, ongoing process especially with the fast-changing business landscape but we look forward to seeing the light at the end of it,” Go says.
Go, whose grandfather launched Ideal Optical, is confident and determined to achieve their goals. As head of branding, marketing and merchandising, Go is also always finding new opportunities to explore, expand and discover new solutions to make eye care accessible to everyone.
Despite growing up in a family of eye care professionals, Go’s involvement in the eye care industry is not a childhood dream. Her initial passion was on food which explains why she has a degree in Culinary Arts and Related Services. Her interest in eyewear and eye care was piqued only when she started working part-time in IVC.
“More than the technicalities behind being an optometrist, I find the marketing and research side of the business very endearing. Aside from that, I am also very interested in eyewear fashion,” Go stated.
Go got her degree in optometry at the Centro Escolar University and joined the family business in 2002. She still loves to cook and says the key to finding a balance between two passions is “you don’t give up one or the other but enjoy both at the same time.”
The eye doctor also noted that being in the eye care industry gave her a meaningful purpose of taking care of other people’s needs and well-being. It has also become important to her to provide only the best vision solutions. “We always try to find the most advanced products, to offer more advanced and better products to our patients.”
To be able to do that, Go noted the importance of partnering with brands that share their vision. Hence, their partnership with Essilor, the world’s number one ophthalmic company that offers complete vision solution through its wide range of products including Crizal, Transitions and Varilux, gives them an opportunity to provide clients an access to world-class eye care products.
“Partnering with Essilor for more than 32 years is the best move we made to improve our service to our customers. We at IVC, knows that Essilor share the same vision with us – to offer top-notch eye health care to Filipinos,” she said.
Aside from this vision, the eye doctor furthered about her personal goal on leaving a legacy in the eye health care industry. “It is my ambition, through IVC, to leave a legacy and be a part of every Filipino’s eye health care routine. It is a long and challenging path but we will never stop improving and finding solutions so that quality eye health care will be more convenient and accessible to all,” Go says.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 28, 2019 | Ponderings
While everyone else is enjoying their summer vacation students, faculty, and staff that are with schools that have adjusted academic calendar (such as Benilde) are braving the summer heat and going to school.
Benilde’s second term officially ended for our students on April 24th. For our faculty who were still submitting grades it ended on the 25th. For our admin staff, it ended on the 27th. In other words, no one really got to enjoy a break from school except those classes that were able to end the week before (Holy Week) or even before that.
What we are doing now?
Students are possibly:
- Still enrolling for their classes
- Adjusting their schedules
- Paying their tuition
- Attending classes
- Savouring their few days of “vacation” by skipping the first week of classes
Teachers::
- For those who have taught the subjects indicated in the load they just received, just updating their lessons and activities on BigSky (assuming they use BigSky, there are still more than a handful that resist)
- For those who are new to the subject they are contacting subject heads and asking guidance on the course (syllabus, lesson plan, lectures, supplementary materials, activities, grading sheets, etc.)
- Academic advisers are busy approving/disapproving schedules
- Meetings, meetings, meetings … per subject, per track, for full-time, per department, with the associate dean and the dean, with the vice chancellor … it really depends, I guess, on the level of involvement in school
- Part time faculty are juggling between their corporate or freelance gig and their teaching gig (or gigs)
Admin staff have not yet recovered from the demands of the last term and are possibly still playing catch up. The work just never ends.
What do we wish we were doing?
There are many things we wish we doing other than going to school.
We would rather be lying down on one of these loungers in this pool, enjoying the cool water, and possibly holding a frozen margarita in one hand. Just the thought of it makes me feel (a little) fresh already.
Walking along the beach and enjoying the beauty of nature by the sea. With Boracay open for business again, it is a safe bet that many wish they were there now.
For some maybe the mountains is more their thing. The hike, the adventure, the fresh mountain air, the view.
For those who could afford it, a trip to a different country is will whet their whistle! Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, USA, Australia, Europe … near or far, it does not matter. They just want to get far, far away.
And then there are those who just want to stay in, catch some movies, watch TV, and basically do anything they want, or nothing at all. 😀
Back to reality
At the end of the day, though, we need to face the truth, it is time to get back on that horse. We are hot-wired to resume our responsibilities no matter what the weather, the time of the year, or our inclination. It’s back to school, Benildean boys and girls, whether we are ready for it or not. 🙂
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 25, 2019 | Entertainment
Not all summer fun can be found outdoors. Many of our youth today prefer to pass the time playing video games on their computer, on gaming consoles, and more popularly, on their mobile devices like tablets and cellphones.
Summertime has just begun, and most students are looking for activities to make their vacation worthwhile. Nimo TV, one of the country’s leading video game streaming platform, is an excellent past time for students who love gaming and learn new skills at the same time. It offers 8 to 12 MP quality live streaming and can be accessed via mobile or PC make it easier for everyone to start live streaming as a hobby and eventually make it a career.
Nimo TV screenshot
Nimo TV’s unique ecosystem, which consists of streamers, viewers, brand sponsors and celebrity players can help newcomers discover different techniques in starting their channel. It has a chat feature where streamers and viewers can communicate with one another and exchange tips on how to win a game they play.
Games like Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), Mobile Legends, Dota 2, Rules of Survival and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are some of the exciting content that streamers can play via the app.
Nimo TV’s presence in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will also help you increase your fan base making it easier for every newbie to grow their channel and interact more with other gamers.
Download the Nimo TV app at Apple app store and Google Play store by clicking the link here at https://nimotv.onelink.me/B6cW/25ba46b7 and start streaming your way to the top.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Apr 24, 2019 | Events
Alaska Sports resume its Annual program in teaching young athletes the fundamental skills and core values of the game by holding Alaska Basketball Power Camp 2019. This year, Alaska Basketball Power Camp is currently being held in Baguio and Manila having Bacolod as its next stop on May 10.
Last April 14, 2019, more than 300 kids joined the first leg of the camp in Baguio and had the first-hand opportunity to be trained by Alaska-certified coaches headed by the Power Camp Director, Philippine Basketball Association legend and Alaska Aces Assistant Coach Jeffrey Cariaso together with the Alaska Aces players Simon Enciso and Abel Galliguez.
Cariaso said that they make sure that they teach them the core values that they believe in not only to become good people but also to become good athletes. “We want to instill them the value of hard work, determination, discipline, and respect,” added Cariaso.
Alaska Sports is focused on promoting sports program that shapes, trains, challenges and inspire children to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Alaska Sports also wants to teach children that the true spirit of participation is not just winning the game but it’s about the spirit of learning the values or determination, hard work, teamwork, and spirit of discipline and sportsmanship.
Alaska Milk Corporation is a pioneer towards promoting affordable nutrition and active lifestyle in the Philippines and aims to teach a new generation of children to become better at sport through the Alaska Basketball Power Camp.
The Alaska Basketball Power Camp teaches more than basketball skills. It also instills the value of discipline, hard work, teamwork and determination and teaches the importance of proper nutrition and active lifestyle for the growth and development of the camp participants.
Parents are encouraged to enroll their children in Alaska Basketball Power Camp and let their children experience the fun and benefits of what sports will bring to them.
Registration form is available at www.alaskamilk.com/Alaska-sports, present printed registration form and proof of purchase or official receipt from February 2019 up to present at the start of the camp. Walk-in participants are also welcome for all three camps.
“In the Philippines, eye health care is not a priority and we aim to change that mindset. It’s a long, ongoing process especially with the fast-changing business landscape but we look forward to seeing the light at the end of it,” Go says.
“Partnering with Essilor for more than 32 years is the best move we made to improve our service to our customers. We at IVC, knows that Essilor share the same vision with us – to offer top-notch eye health care to Filipinos,” she said.
Nimo TV’s presence in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will also help you increase your fan base making it easier for every newbie to grow their channel and interact more with other gamers.
Alaska Milk Corporation is a pioneer towards promoting affordable nutrition and active lifestyle in the Philippines and aims to teach a new generation of children to become better at sport through the Alaska Basketball Power Camp.
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