The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines has partnered with Save Palawan Seas Foundation (SPSF) for its 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program,  SUSTAINABILISEA: SPSF x TPB Create Hope: Bridging Sustainable Tourism with Environmental Welfare and Community Empowerment. The program took place from June 5 to 7, 2024, in Taytay, Palawan.


The program was held in Sitio Calabugtong and Barangays Casian and Batas. These areas, which face challenges in accessing essential utilities like power and water, greatly benefited from the initiative. By working together, both organizations marked an important step towards promoting sustainability, protecting the environment, and supporting local communities.




To cope with the problem of limited access to power, approximately 600 houses in the coastal towns of Barangay Casian—namely, Sitios Calabugtong, Dinet, Calampasiao, and Sitio proper— received 40 units of solar street lights, marking the start of the CSR program. Additionally, the TPB provided school materials to students and teachers in these sitios and organized a soup kitchen during the activity.



The next day included coral propagation activities and marine conservation awareness. The seminar, which included practical instruction and direction by marine professionals and was organized in association with the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), was held in the SPSF sanctuary. The participants planted around 200 coral fragments.





Additionally, CSR participants also carried out a nature trek and a tree-planting event at Taytay, Palawan's Lake Manguao, a freshwater lake nestled within the lush forests. It is home to many bird species and has become a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts. Its unique biological feature having no surface outflow that connects to the sea. The recent activity demonstrates TPB's commitment to supporting sustainable practices for Lake Manguao's conservation and protection, and assisting in maintaining the lake's natural ecosystems.


This initiative also included planting 1,000-2,000 mangrove propagules in Brgy. Batas and coastal clean-up in Sitio Calabugtong. This was a noteworthy effort because mangroves shield the land from the damaging effects of harsh weather events. Coastal cleanup is equally important since it protects marine life from harmful waste. This is highly beneficial to the island's coastal communities. 


This collaborative effort between TPB and SPSF underscores the importance of collective action in promoting sustainable tourism, environmental protection, and community empowerment. By working together, TPB has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability, environmental conservation, and community support.


The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines was recognized at this year’s GovMedia Conference and Awards 2024 as the recipient of the Philippines Public Sector Initiative of the Year—Tourism award for the outstanding success of one of its flagship programs, the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2023. 


The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines Organizing Committee for the

Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2023.


TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco received the award during a ceremony at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Thursday, 13 June 2024.


“This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable and innovative tourism practices. I want to thank my team at the Tourism Promotions Board, our private stakeholder partners, and foreign buyers for making PHITEX 2023, the first purely in-person event since the pandemic, a resounding success,” said TPB COO Nograles. “Under the leadership of Tourism Secretary Frasco, we will continue to leverage technology and prioritize sustainability to enhance our tourism promotion efforts and showcase the best of the Philippines and our people to the world.”


Business-to-business sessions at the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2023 held from September 20 to 21, 2023 at the Fili-NuStar Hotel, Cebu.


Since its inception in 1996, PHITEX has played a vital role in fostering business partnerships and showcasing the finest tourism offerings of the Philippines. The 2023 edition embraced the theme “Tourism Sustainability in the Era of Internet of Things (IoT),” highlighting the country’s digitalization and sustainability efforts to meet global demands.


PHITEX 2023 successfully hosted 88 buyers from 19 countries worldwide for travel exchange sessions with 164 seller delegates from 119 Philippine companies. The event facilitated 4,063 business meetings, generating a projected revenue of over PHP 341.5 million. 


TPB COO Nograles receives GovMedia Conference and Awards 2024 - Philippines Public Sector Initiative of the Year Award with Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on June 13, 2024 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center in Singapore.


Apart from the business-to-business sessions, PHITEX also functioned as an innovative knowledge-sharing platform for local stakeholders and academia members in the field of tourism through its Philippine Educational Program (PEP) Talk, which offered insights into the latest advancements in IoT, data privacy, and circular economies.


Timothy Charlton, Editor-in-Chief of Charlton Media Group, 

TPB COO Marga Nograles, and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco


Pre and post-familiarization tours introduced participating international buyers to diverse community-based tourist sites, highlighting grassroots initiatives, local textiles, culinary treasures, and other eco-tourism activities in the Philippines.


The GovMedia Conference & Awards is a prestigious event that spotlights outstanding government projects and initiatives in Asia that contribute to the well-being of the people in the region. Last year, TPB’s PHITEX received the National Tourism Initiative of the Year award at the 2023 GovMedia Awards.
















 For all that he has done for us, our favorite man deserves the best treat on his special day. Celebrate Father’s Day in the most unforgettable way at Pico Sands Hotel.



Make it a date with Dad at Dad’s Day Buffet at Lagoa where an unforgettable Filipino-themed dining experience waits for Php 1,350 nett per person. On 14 June from 6 PM to 10 PM, gather your family and treat the king of the house to a sumptuous buffet dinner that promises to tantalize the taste buds and create lasting memories. You do not go home empty-handed as you take a snap at our photobooth for a heartwarming souvenir. 


 




For guests who prefer a relaxing dining vibe in the most intimate way, go straight by the garden steps of Pico Resto for Garden Jam Sessions featuring our fresh catch grill station matched with soothing tunes from our live entertainment every Fridays to Sundays from 6 PM to 10 PM.




Seal the night with the perfect kick of a blended cocktail made from the local liquor and spirits of Destileria Barako with Lagoa’s Agimat Cocktails. 





With such a decadent selection, every guest is sure to find something to indulge in. Whether you’re a fan of rich, savory meats or fresh, succulent seafood, Pico Sands Hotel and Pico de Loro Country Club have something to satisfy every palate.


 




A day without a good game will never be well spent. Bond with Dad over BN’B’s Strikes and Strokes and indulge in good food while having fun for only Php 650 nett per one hour of billiards or one game of bowling paired with flavorful chicken wings for two.





Enhance the celebration by gifting Dad with pampering hot stone massage therapy matched with a foot paraffin at Pico Sands Hotel’s Rain, the Spa. This simple token is the perfect way to show Dad how much he is appreciated, offering a blend of relaxation and elegance that is hard to resist. Get this special offer from 1 to 30 June from 12 PM to 10 PM for only Php 1,860 nett per person for 75 minutes.



Wrap up the day with a simple gift for Dad from Grab N Go’s custom-made Mugs for Dads at only Php 290 nett.


For room reservations, call +63 917 809 1289 or email reservations@picosandshotel.com. For restaurant reservations, email fnb.reservations@picodeloroclub.com.

 As summer turns up the heat, Samsung continues to dial up the awesome with its latest A-series phones and with new member of #TeamGalaxy – singer-songwriter Adie as well as Galaxy A Series ambassador– Gen Z love team Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano.


These celebrities flexed new ways to create awesome content, sharing their favorite features of the new Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G.


Capturing Awesome summer moments 


As content creators, these GenZ stars love discovering tools to capture their awesome moments with the Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G. These features include Dual Recording that helps you record yourself and your POV, Stable HDR, for smooth on-the-go videos through optical image stabilization (OIS) and video digital image stabilization (VDIS) and Single Take, which uses AI to capture up to 14 photos and videos in just a few seconds, letting you pick the perfect shot.



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Singer-songwriter Adie, for instance, raved about the Dual Recording feature on the Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G. “Ang cool lang nung idea while using the front camera you pwede mo ding gamitin yung back camera at the same time,” (The idea is just cool, while using the front camera, you can also use the back camera at the same time.) Adie said.


Donny and Belle, on the other hand, love the Single Take feature of their phones. Belle shares, “I love the Single Take. Kasi you can take multiple photos and videos sa Single Take. So ang ganda lang na you have so many choices.” (I love the Single Take feature. Because you can take multiple photos and videos with Single Take. So it's great that you have so many choices.)




“And it’s not blurry,” Donny chimed in.


Getting Creative with Content


These Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G come with an awesome suite of content creation tools, enhanced by One UI 6.1. Enjoy Remaster Tools for better photos and GIFs, Eraser Tools to remove unwanted objects, and a built-in Studio Video Editor for easy, on-the-go editing.


Donny’s favorite One UI 6.1 feature is the Photo Remaster. He shared, “The moment you take a photo, you put on the Photo Remaster mode, you could see the photo literally become so much more HD when you swipe it that way. Super nice to have, super convenient.”


Meanwhile, Belle loves the ease of using Object Eraser to help her get the cleanest shot, “I think it’s really convenient. Ang hirap humanap ng ganon, like, na phone na aalisin talaga yung unwanted objects.” (I think it's really convenient. It's hard to find something like that, like, a phone that really removes unwanted objects.)


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The Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G also come in vibrant colors that perfectly suit these GenZ artists' vibes. Belle adores how the Awesome Lilac is so elegant, saying, "It's so Belle," while Donny shared that Ice Blue was his hue of choice.




For Adie, he loves the timeless look of the phone, with the Navy Blue being his favorite. “Wala parang si Paraluman, ang timeless talaga eh. So ayun, kahuma-humaling,” (It's like Paraluman, really timeless. So there, it's captivating), he shared.


Built for Awesome Summer Adventures


The Galaxy A55 5G and A35 5G are packed with top-notch security and durability, making them the awesome buddies for your summer adventures!


Samsung Knox Vault is a trusted multi-layered security system that keeps your entire Galaxy ecosystem safe, with secure hardware, real-time threat detection, and collaborative vulnerability defense. Plus, the phones feature a Splash-Resistant Camera with an IP67 rating, making them dust and water-resistant—they can even handle being submerged in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes!A person and person sitting on a stage

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Donny shared how the phone being dust-proof was one of his favorite features. “When I go outdoors to try new hobbies like hiking and camping, it’s like a requirement that your phone is dustproof so it can be as efficient as possible! In terms of content, we can shoot anywhere. We can shoot outdoors, you can shoot indoors, when it’s raining or something or like when we’re gonna go out for a swim, a road trip, the mountains or whatever. Any type of content you want, it’s built for it!”


This summer is also full of all-day endeavors for these GenZ stars, that’s why they need phones that can keep up with their busy pace. Belle loves the long battery life, especially crucial during long shooting days. “The battery life is so long, especially pag nasa taping kami– it really helps,” (The battery life is so long, especially when we're on set – it really helps), she said. 


Adie echoed this sentiment, saying, “Yung [long] battery life niya, very helpful yun sa mga artist na katulad ko, Let’s say may naisip na idea or lyrics, kailangan ma-sulat siya agad kasi minsan nagfa-fade yun eh. And at the same time yung melodies na naiisip mo for that song, yun din kailangan mo i-record.” (The long battery life is very helpful for artists like me. Let's say you have a sudden idea or lyrics, you need to write it down quickly because sometimes it fades away. And at the same time, you also need to record the melodies you think of for that song.)


Donny, Belle and Adie are all loving these awesome phones, and now it's your opportunity to #CreateAwesome like your favorite #TeamGalaxy stars! The Galaxy A55 5G is available for ₱24,990 (8+256GB), while the Galaxy A35 5G is ₱20,990 (8+256GB). A 128GB variant is only available through Globe Telecom and Smart Communications. 


Buy now and enjoy a Free Travel Adapter worth ₱1,190. You can get these phones with 0% interest for up to 18 months on Home Credit and 0% for up to 12 months on credit card, with an additional P5,000 off when you trade in your existing handset for a new Galaxy A55 or A35 5G.


To learn more about the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G, Galaxy A35 5G, and other Galaxy smartphones simply visit the Samsung Newsroom, Samsung Mobile Press, and Samsung.com.


 


Let the summer vibes take over with Samsung’s newest offering, the #SamsungXYou Out-of-Office collection. In collaboration with Sunnies Studios, The Paper Bunny, and FINNS Bali, Samsung is bringing you new accessories designed by some of the trendiest brands in Southeast Asia for more options to make your Galaxy device perfectly YOU.


Just as Galaxy AI encourages you to unleash your creativity through mobile customization features, you can also express yourself through your device’s new look with new #SamsungXYou Out-of-Office collection accessories that fit your theme. 


You can get these accessories as part of a random Lucky Box gift set with every purchase of a Galaxy S24 series phone or Galaxy Buds2 Pro. Check out the roster of cool new accessories!


New accessories that are perfectly YOU


Go on “Do Not Disturb” mode with Philippine brand Sunnies Studios. The trendy accessory and makeup brand has designed a cool new phone case with matching animated wallpaper fit for the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra as well as a case for the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, a griptok and a sticker sheet.


What time is it? It’s time to clock off as Samsung has also partnered with FINNS Bali! Established in Indonesia in 2010, FINNS Bali is a group of clubs, spas, centers, resorts, and more. Don’t miss this chance to get a beach themed phone case and matching animated wallpaper or a griptock or keyring with a sticker sheet for your Galaxy S24 series phone. They also designed a cool aqua case that you can get with a purchase of a Galaxy Buds2 Pro.


Samsung also tapped Singaporean lifestyle brand The Paper Bunny, a brand promoting intentional living and positive sentiment through curated functional yet aesthetic clothing, accessories, and stationery.  Savor your well deserved time off with their thoughtfully designed “Rest now, Reply later” wallpaper and phone case and their matching griptok and sticker sheets.


Samsung is also wishing you safe skies with its “Out of Office: Off to See the World” collection featuring two phone case styles and two key ring designs as well as a sticker sheet you can use to accessorize your travel essentials. Samsung Members also get the chance to access an exclusive phone case design with the plane ticket collage that says “Logging Off: Busy on Holiday”.


Samsung Members exclusive design

So what are you waiting for? With the purchase of any of the Galaxy S24 Series phones or Galaxy Buds2 Pro, you will get one of several Lucky Box gift sets automatically added to your cart featuring a mix of items from each collection.


For Galaxy S24 series purchases, you can either score one of the four different phone case designs from the collections for your brand new phone or receive a random set of three stickers and an accessory – keyring or griptok – to level up your accessories game as you travel around the world. If you’re a Samsung Member, you might even get the chance to get an exclusive phone case if you buy the Galaxy S24 Ultra.


Suit up your Galaxy Bud2 Pro as you can receive either a FINNS Bali or Sunnies Studios case along with a cute sticker sheet with every purchase.


You can also get a chance to win these accessories through participating in exciting giveaways! Stay tuned in on the latest news about these accessories and visit Samsung on Facebook.


Embrace Summer with Your Samsung Phone


With aesthetic phone cases, wallpapers, griptoks, and stickers, you can embrace summer with everything you have. Samsung, Sunnies Studios, FINNS Bali, and The Paper Bunny are ready to take you and your vacation to the next level with the Out-of-Office collection.


Get these bundles with every Samsung Galaxy S24 series phone or Galaxy Buds2 Pro purchase until May 31, 2024 exclusively via www.samsung.com/ph. Learn more about the Galaxy S24 Series here: https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s24/.


DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-191569 Series of 2024


 


From watching your favorite games to powering up for a healthy lifestyle, make life memorable and much easier with Samsung appliances and Galaxy devices powered by Galaxy AI. Samsung is offering amazing customizable bundle deals through its  #YouMake exclusive offers! Get up to 50% off on Samsung Galaxy devices and best-selling Samsung TVs, home appliances and monitors until June 10, 2024.


With Samsung devices in your hands and appliances your homes, #YouMake winning in life easier for everyone!


#YouMake living life easy with Galaxy AI

Being a superfan and getting the latest news on your idols is made super easy with Galaxy AI on the Galaxy S24 series.  With the “Circle to Search” function, all you have to do is circle, highlight, write, or tap anything on the screen.


Looking for a bigger screen to use more apps simultaneously? Get work done even faster with the Galaxy Z Fold5, now with Galaxy AI features like Transcript Assist and Notes Assist. With a large 7.6-inch Main Screen, quick job-switching functionality, and a thinner S Pen Fold Edition that makes annotation simple, this multitasking powerhouse lets you complete your duties and watch games from anywhere.


Enjoy your passions and make work a breeze with Galaxy AI. Save up to ₱5,000 off for a Galaxy S24 Ultra, plus FREE two random cases and a SmartTag2 or ₱15,000 off and get a FREE random case of a Galaxy Z Fold5 (12GB/256GB) when you purchase until June 10, 2024.


#YouMake the best host for watch parties and workouts

If you can’t make it to the actual game, it’s time to host watch parties for your family and friends with a Samsung Neo QLED 8K. It boasts a powerful processor with 8K AI upscaling to improve scenes that immerse viewers like they're watching at a real stadium. The action-packed, immersive cinematic soundtrack that a real stadium has is also brought to life by Dolby Atmos and Samsung's top channel speaker.  


If you’re on a budget and want to live smart and healthy like your idols, get fit even through online workout tutorials with the Samsung 50-inch Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV. Thanks to its PurColor function, you can experience immersive viewing while producing a wide variety of colors for maximum picture quality. 


The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor can also revolutionize your gaming and watching experience with its curved 57-inch screen, which envelops the user and features Quantum Matrix Technology for unparalleled realism. Its 240Hz refresh rate brings instant triumph guaranteed by the incredibly fluid and thrilling viewing experience.


Save up to ₱80,000 on a  Samsung 75” Neo QLED 8K QN800C Smart TV, ₱35,500 discount on a Samsung  65” Neo QLED 4K QN85C Smart TV, take home a Samsung 50” Crystal UHD CU8100 4K Smart TV at a valued price of ₱26,249, PLUS  a one-year FREE Disney+ Subscription on select TV models, or get ₱24,700 off of the Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo G9 G95NC DUHD 240Hz Gaming Monitor when you buy until June 10, 2024.


#YouMake the Perfect Homebuddy 

Samsung’s BeSpoke AI gadgets are ideal for setting up the perfect atmosphere for watching sports. You can use power cool mode to make cold beverages ahead of time by connecting BeSpoke AI refrigerators via SmartThings. On top of these, with the BeSpoke AI™ for Laundry, you can have personalized laundry based on weight, fabric, and dirtiness to have a stress-free laundry session and have more time to watch the game worry-free.


Enjoy added convenience with the embedded Wi-Fi and a voice assistant Smart Control with the Samsung Smart Oven. Complete your watch parties and workout sessions, and stay comfortable with the Samsung WindFree™ Air Conditioner Wall-mount ActivClean 1.0 HP. With its WindFreeTM Cooling mode, be cool without worrying about your electricity bills as it uses up to 77% less electricity than the Fast Cooling mode. 


Enjoy 25% off on Samsung home appliances with #YouMake. Save up to ₱13,964 when you purchase a Bespoke Refrigerator French Door Triple Triple Cooling 24.0 cu. ft. Enjoy a ₱10,185 discount on a Bespoke Laundry front-load Dryer AI Control 17 kg and get up to ₱2,006 when you buy a Samsung Smart Oven WiFi Connectivity 32L. All of these deals are available until June 10, 2024.


#YouMake Exclusive Bundles at Samsung.com

Customize how you upgrade your new lifestyle with #YouMake exclusive bundles. Get up to 42% off when you bundle up to two (2) products or select three (3) products and get up to 47% discounts. Plus, enjoy 0% interest up to 36 months installment using Metrobank, BDO & BPI credit cards. You can also avail of free delivery to most areas nationwide and a  trade-in Boost Discount of up to ₱18,000. 



Don’t miss out on these fantastic deals of Samsung’s #YouMake the winning play until June 10, 2024. Buy more, save more! Find out more about Samsung’s #YouMake deals at https://www.samsung.com/ph/youmake/


DTI Fair Trade Number FTEB-192375 & 193256 Series of 2024