More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221615 |
The Archdiocese of Palo and the local government here are expecting at least 60,000 devotees to witness the live street play of Senakulo, the staged re-enactment of Jesus Christ's passion and death, on Good Friday.
Nariza Marasigan, the town tourism office head, said that now that social distancing is no longer enforced, the agency is expecting to surpass the more than 60,000 pilgrims and tourists visiting the municipality pre-pandemic Holy Week.
These visitors are expected to also visit Guinhangdan Hill for the Station of the Cross and various churches in the town for the Visita Iglesia.
Archdiocese of Palo Vicar General Rev. Msgr. Gilbert Urbina said that although Holy Week activities are more church-related, the local government may also come in because tourism at this time is both of “devotion and curiosity.”
“For the church, this is something solemn; that is why it is important to have devotion because it supplies experience, understanding, and reflection,” Urbina said Wednesday.
Filipinos are very religious especially around Easter and Christmas.
What really helped Filipinos through the pandemic? Faith in God of course.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/30/caritas-philippines-encourages-filipinos-to-embrace-new-beginnings-this-easter-sunday |
Caritas Philippines, the humanitarian and development arm of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), on Sunday, March 31, encouraged the public to embrace the message of a new beginning that reflects the Easter season.
In a statement, Caritas Philippines president Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo shared that "the resurrection embodies the promise of new beginnings."
While acknowledging the resilience of Filipinos, who "never lost hope" despite ongoing challenges such as poverty, natural disasters, and pandemic effects, Bagaforo seeks to enlighten the hearts and minds of people to die from greed and "sins of selfishness" to a new life of "walking with the pains and desperation."
"The truth will set us free, and if we unite and hang on to our faith in God, we will be victorious," Bagaforo said.
"As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the enduring power of hope, the triumph of good over evil, and the unwavering love of God," he added.
The group also acknowledged the generosity of those who have extended a helping hand and embraced the spirit of "Alay Kapwa" (offering of oneself to one's neighbor).
It also highlighted the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, the idea of communal unity and compassion shown during difficult times.
In return, Caritas extends gratitude for their selfless acts and encourages more people to participate in the spirit of giving and sharing.
"Let us continue to reach out to those who are struggling, share our blessings with the less fortunate, and work collaboratively to build a more equitable and compassionate society," the president said.
May this season, he added, inspire acts of service and continued dedication to the betterment of the communities.
Never mind holding the government accountable for all the hardships forced upon the public. As long as one has faith that is all that matters. So resilient, with a boot in the face!
People who said the pandemic was a test run for something bigger were branded as conspiracy kooks. It seems they are being proved right every single day.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1924428/face-masks-fastest-protection-vs-contagious-diseases-says-expert |
A public health expert has urged the government to reimpose the mandatory wearing of face masks in public areas, similar to what happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, to prevent the spread of the highly contagious pertussis, also known as whooping cough.
Dr. Tony Leachon, a former special adviser of the National Task Force against COVID-19, projected a surge of pertussis cases in the next three weeks particularly in areas outside of Metro Manila due to the unrestricted movement of people during Holy Week break.
He said the mandatory wearing of face masks was necessary in areas that already declared an outbreak such as Quezon City and Iloilo City, and Cavite Province, and those with reported high numbers of pertussis cases. It has infected mostly unvaccinated children.
“I would recommend it without any hesitation because we do not have any protection right now for the kids,” he said in an interview on ANC.
The Department of Health (DOH), however, only maintained the wearing of face masks to be “voluntary, but highly encouraged.” Despite the alarming increase in pertussis cases in the country, the DOH said the public may continue to carry out their normal daily activities.
Everyone is forced to wear a face mask even though pertussis mostly infects unvaccinated children.
PAL has fully recovered post-pandemic with triple profits.
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| https://qa.philstar.com/business/2024/04/02/2344543/pal-prospers-post-pandemic-triples-profit |
Lucio Tan-owned Philippine Airlines (PAL) tripled its profit to nearly P17 billion in 2023, lifted by its sustained dominance in the market for international travelers even with the entry of new players.
Based on its financial report, PAL’s parent PAL Holdings Inc. grew its net income by more than threefold to P16.81 billion last year, from P5.16 billion in 2022.
Revenue increased by 29 percent to P179.12 billion, while expenses jumped by 24 percent to P151.04 billion, as PAL saw a resurgence in aviation activities in the first full year out of the pandemic.
The flag carrier recorded a 39 percent spike in passenger revenues to P159.58 billion, as the airline grew its passenger volume to 14.68 million. PAL also raised its load factor — the number of seats sold against the slots available — to 80.8 percent in 2023.
PAL sourced 80 percent of its passenger revenues from the international segment, maintaining its title as the leading domestic carrier for foreign flights.
In the Philippines, PAL ate up 47 percent of the demand for flights to the US and Canada even as it faced new competitors in the segment.
The airline said it manages to keep its competitive advantage by improving products and services and offering the best fares. For instance, PAL expects to sustain its leadership in the demand for flights across the Pacific through its in-flight service that appeals mainly to Filipinos.
On top of this, PAL is expanding its fleet to stay ahead of the curve in air travel. PAL is bringing in 13 Airbus A321neo between 2026 and 2029 and nine Airbus A350s between 2025 and 2027.
PAL president and COO Stanley Ng said the airline would maximize its financial gains to widen its flight network and upgrade its fleet and services.
Maybe they will also store away money in case the government forces everything to shut down again.
Big businesses aren't the only ones who weathered the pandemic and came out on top.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1221759 |
Dubbed the "second largest consumer of coffee in Asia," the Philippines, without a doubt, is a country of coffee aficionados.
Whether it is an instant pick-me-up in the morning, a quick afternoon brew to break the monotony, or an after-dinner reward for a day's work, Filipinos will never run out of reasons to grab a cup of this beverage that has become a staple for every home.
So, how can local entrepreneurs cash in on this booming coffee culture?
We ask Alexander Galicia, 47, owner of City Heights Cafe, a quaint coffee shop located in Highlands Park in the village of Estanza in Legazpi City, to spill the beans on how to carve a niche in a cutthroat caffeinated market.
When Galicia and his four friends started City Heights Cafe in 2021, their only goal was to share their love for coffee with a community that was reeling from a global pandemic.
"Initially, we just wanted to offer a tranquil place where people can unwind and enjoy their coffee," he said in the vernacular.
"But when we realized the potential for foot traffic given our cafe's scenic location, we saw the opportunity to turn it into a lucrative business by expanding our product line," he added.
But while the pandemic spurred the birth of the shop, the subsequent lockdowns and quarantine impositions also threatened its survival in its infancy.
"There was a time when we were hardly making profits, but we managed to keep the business afloat because of sound management decisions," Galicia said.
As an accounts officer for a company specializing in office equipment, Galicia knew firsthand that sustaining their cafe's operations depends on prioritizing the shop's four Ps: product, place, price, and promotion, or more commonly known as the marketing mix.
"Before we embarked on this business venture, we did extensive market research and planning to understand the dynamics of putting up a coffee shop since none of us had prior knowledge of running a cafe business."
Galicia revealed that their choice of location, unique products, which boast specialty drinks and unique coffee blends, strategic pricing, and communication strategies are the keys to survival in a caffeinated market that is heavily marked by stiff competition.
"With big cafe chains around, it is really hard to make a mark, but if you position your local coffee shop uniquely and innovate consistently, you can grow your business," he said.
To ensure loyalty from his customer base, Galicia said he is always on the lookout for new ways to reach his target market, leveraging the power of social media to drive foot traffic to his humble shop.
As to his pricing strategy, he said he makes sure that his menu is affordable without sacrificing the quality of his products, adding that he monitors the prices of his competitors and keeps himself updated on market trends.
It takes a brave businessman to open up a business during the economic lockdowns of the pandemic. And just how is the Philippines the "second largest consumer of coffee in Asia" when everyone drinks 3-n-1!? That's not coffee!
