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.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/bryan-termulo-pursues-his-passion-for-music-in-america/131035/ |
Bryan Termulo, currently living in America, remains dedicated to his passion for creating music.
This year, the Filipino singer-songwriter released his song “Almost There,” his first attempt at producing country music.
Bryan was previously known in the country as the "Prince of Teleserye Theme Songs," so what fans often heard from him were love songs.
With the song "Almost There," Bryan said it felt like a dream he had as a child had come true.
“Jumping into another genre like country music, I guess when I was a kid, I used to love singing country music. Songs like 'Take Me Home, Country Roads,' are common, but I really like that genre.
“Now that I am living in the United States, especially in Tennessee, my influence and drive is, 'Okay, since I'm working as a freelance singer, I am producing my own songs, and I am the one funding my material as well, I really don't do what I like when it comes to genre of music, which is country music.
“I know that [Filipinos] are not popular because they love love songs. But I really do like to do country music.”
He said he wrote the song during the pandemic, when, unexpectedly, his stay in America began.
Bryan recalled, “Moving into the United States was never a choice. I just really wanted to try singing in the Filipino community. It happened during the pandemic. So, I had no choice but to just stay home.
“I had confirmed shows at that time. Only two [were] going on and the rest were canceled because of COVID.
“So, I did it because there were times when I doubted whether I would return to the Philippines or if I would wait until the situation was okay. Until, I composed the song.”
The song “Almost There” became an inspiration for Bryan because, according to him, “It seems all you have to do sometimes is just wait because it's almost there. Until I can't be free from what I'm doing in the Philippines, I'm doing it here in the States.”
Aside from being an independent singer-songwriter, Bryan also divides his time between his day job as a staff member at a museum. "I'm all-around. I'm tour guiding, doing admissions."
Because of his flexible schedule, Bryan said he can perform not only in Tennessee but also in other places across America. He considers going live on TikTok as a rehearsal.
"The livestream is a big thing for me, and I don't want to miss a week when I don't have a performance," he said.
During the pandemic, Bryan admitted that he lost interest in livestreaming.
“I also feel like I’ve lost my drive. [I thought] maybe I’ll just become a full-time cashier and just make this livestreaming a hobby. But now, it’s the other way around. Every week, I remind myself that no, it should be at least on TikTok live… I should treat it like an actual performance. It’s just online but there’s still an audience, there’s still people watching, ‘then, it’s always great,” he shared.
Despite his stable standing as a music artist in America, Bryan said he has not lost interest in returning to showbiz in the Philippines.
The Pinoy Pop Superstar alumnus said, “I still want to pursue showbiz in the Philippines if you ask me. I'm probably just waiting for the right timing. I also know the people I can approach, but I still have shows here.
Even though I've been away from the Philippines for a long time, I'm not losing my job here, thank God.
For now, Bryan said he is open to invitations to perform at private events in the Philippines.
“I hope to return [to showbiz] because I also miss performing on TV and I also miss doing what I do in the Philippines.”
He still wants to be a Pinoy Popstar too. Another Filipino abroad who thinks he can have his cake and eat it too.
The Philippines is ramping up tourism marketing to lure back South Koreans.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1270425 |
The Philippines is ramping up marketing efforts to hasten the recovery of the Korean market, which now reached over 60 percent of the 2019 pre-pandemic tourist arrivals, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Thursday.
DOT’s South Korea foreign office at present is integrating marketing strategies, including joint promotions with airlines and major travel agencies, urban outdoor advertising and digital campaigns.
“South Korea remains one of the Philippines’ most vital and valued tourism markets. The enduring friendship between our two nations is reflected not only in our shared history and cultural exchanges but also in the millions of South Korean travelers who choose the Philippines as their preferred destination year after year,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.
“Their deep appreciation for our pristine beaches, world-class dive sites, vibrant festivals, and the warmth and hospitality of the Filipino people has significantly contributed to the growth and resilience of our tourism industry,” she added.
The DOT is currently in collaboration with major airlines and 15 major South Korean travel agencies to promote the Philippines through discounted airfares and region-specific promotional packages primarily to key destinations Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, and Clark.
It will also participate in major travel and tourism exhibitions, such as the Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) and the Korea International Boat Show (KIBS), as well as several underwater sports expositions, to promote the Philippines' marine, diving, and golf experiences.
The DOT said it is likewise in the process of refining its tourism products to capitalize on experiential tourism, which is identified as a priority under the Marcos Administration.
Bohol, in particular, has firmly established itself as a leading resort destination among South Korean travelers, with its turquoise waters perfect for island hopping and snorkeling activities.
There is also a growing interest in multi-destination itineraries linking Bohol with Cebu or Manila, said the DOT.
In addition, the DOT is expanding its Philippine golf tourism portfolio in Clark as well as its English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and long-stay visits to increase the Philippines’ appeal beyond leisure.
During South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's two-day state visit to the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized South Koreans’ appreciation for the Philippines as a destination.
“It is also my pleasure to note the growing appreciation of Koreans for the Philippines, our world-renowned mangoes, the beauty of our tourist destinations, and most importantly, the exceptional talent and hospitality of Filipinos,” he said during the bilateral meeting of the two leaders in Malacañang on Tuesday.
Last year, about a total of 1,346,301 South Koreans visited the Philippines, which accounts for 20.76 percent of total international arrivals, maintaining its position as the Philippines’ largest source market ahead of the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada.
The recovery rate of the South Korean market, according to DOT, has so far reached 62.9 percent compared to 2019 levels, “reaffirming the Korean market’s strong and resilient structural demand base.”
But remember when the Korean embassy issued a travel warning for the Philippines over safety concerns? Has the DOT addressed that concern?
The Philippines might be shifting to a 4-day work week because of the Iran war. But no problem as COVID taught the nation how to deal with these kinds of problems.
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| https://dzrh.com.ph/post/philippines-ready-for-nationwide-4-day-work-week-amid-energy-crisis-fintech-leader |
The Philippines is ready to adopt a four-day work week, not just within government offices but across the entire nation, according to Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation and Inclusion Officer of RCBC and Chairman of Fintech Alliance Philippines.
Speaking on DZRH's Special on Saturday, Villanueva emphasized that the country's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic has prepared both workers and companies for flexible work arrangements.
"We are well prepared because we have been trained in COVID-19. In fact, in COVID-19, no one comes to the office but everyone works from home or work from anywhere," he said.
The government announced that all agencies will implement a four-day work week starting March 9, with Fridays off, as part of a broader effort to conserve energy amid global uncertainties, including the Middle East conflict and its potential impact on fuel supply. Villanueva stressed that energy conservation should not be limited to government offices.
"The whole nation should undergo such adjustment, not just the government," he said. "We do not know how long these challenges will last, so conserving energy early is critical."
RCBC has also implemented the four-day work week in line with the government directive, with employees now working four days in the office and using Fridays to reduce operational costs and energy consumption.
Villanueva said the shift demonstrates how organizations can balance productivity and efficiency while contributing to national preparedness. He also encouraged the private sector to consider adopting similar measures.
While government agencies can implement the policy quickly due to centralized control, Villanueva noted that private companies operate under diverse dynamics but could still benefit from a four-day schedule in terms of workforce well-being, operational efficiency, and energy conservation.
"I think the whole country, the government should not be the only one to launch this 4-day work week because our energy reserve is very critical," Villanueva said.
"We don't know how long this conflict in the Middle East will last. So everyone should be prepared and as early as now, let's conserve energy," he added.
Why not go back to either fully remote or optional remote work like during the pandemic? That would save a lot of fuel.
During the pandemic a Hospitality Management student posted a picture of his makeshift oven on Facebook. This caught the eye of a Filipina in Florida who arranged for the student to have a real oven.
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| https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/704523/a-viral-diy-oven-a-life-changing-kindness |
The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown turned homes into a stage for Tiktok dances and kitchens for Dalgona coffee experiments.
But one viral post ignited hope that still echoes today, miles away from their home country.
Florida-based Filipina, Jelyssa Marañon Freyman stumbled upon a Facebook post on February 21, 2026. It was that of Jovel Jr Bante, a Hospitality Management student from Tibungco, Davao City, posing next to his DIY oven crafted from an old biscuit can and wire mesh.
Recounting his experience, Bante shared with CDN Digital that he didn’t have a real oven due to the lockdown and had to settle with available resources at home.
Instead of giving up, he crafted his own oven to complete his course requirement.
“I clearly remember that time during the pandemic. I decided to create a DIY makeshift oven because we needed it for our laboratory examination,” said Bante.
Bante then shared his DIY oven on social media, which landed on Freyman’s feed.
To Freyman, the post hit her hard. “It was just a random day when I saw the post about Jovel.”
Raised by parents who always gave back, Freyman didn’t hesitate. Though she “didn’t have much back then,” Freyman was able to get Bante a proper oven and a few baking tools to help with his school needs despite their distance and with help from her family members.
Fast forward to Friday, March 6, Freyman woke up to a message of gratitude from Bante himself, reflecting on how their encounter shaped his journey.
The said message reads:
(Hello Ate Jelyssa. This is Jovel, the one that went viral from the DIY oven. I just want to thank you again for your help and now I’m in Europe, working as a chef. Thank you again.)
Freyman then took to Facebook the message she received from Bante.
“Five years ago, I extended a helping hand to a random stranger I met on Facebook,” recounting how she stopped scrolling on a tear-jerking photo of Bante with his DIY oven, successfully baking a batch of pastries.
“Jovel now resides in Europe, working as a chef—and I couldn’t be more prouder!”
Bante initially wished to work in a cruise ship but when the opportunity to practice his profession in Europe came, Bante immediately grabbed the opportunity and viewed it as a window for personal growth and improvement in his career.
According to Bante, the support he received became a motivation for him to keep pursuing his passion.
“It became a turning point that helped shape my journey, and it contributed to where I am now in my life and in my career,” said Bante.
Now working in Germany as a chef, Bante remains humble and in constant gratitude to those who believed in him and wanted them to know that the help they extended was not put to waste.
“I just want to say thank you sa kanila and proud to share kung ano nang tinahak ko ngayon,”
(I just want to thank them and proudly share where I am now.)
In a world quick to scroll past struggles, Freyman and Bante’s story reminds us that the smallest gestures, like that of one small oven, leave the biggest footprints, turning dreams into reality, crossing oceans and a memory that lives on for years.
Five years later the student has sent a thank you note and has let the world know he has abandoned the Philippines for a career in Germany!
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