OFWs May Now Avail of Terminal Fee Exemption Via Ceb Mobile App

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Transportation – Manila International Airport Authority (DOTr – MIAA) and all airlines operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Cebu Pacific has updated its booking systems to ensure that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) shall be exempt from paying terminal fee upon online booking of tickets.

Starting July 8, OFWs who choose to book their flights via the Cebu Pacific mobile app only need to tick a box before payment is processed to be exempted from paying the Php550 International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) or terminal fee. Exemption has been applied to hotline and website transactions since April.

Under the MOA, the fee shall be waived for OFWs, pilgrims, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) delegates, and others authorized by law and the Office of the President to travel outside the Philippines. Effective 30 April 2017, exemption was initially honored upon face to face purchase of tickets, but by the end of July, the exemption was also applied to online purchases. Prior to this, migrant workers and delegates needed to queue for refund when departing from NAIA.

Exempted passengers are required to present valid documents upon check in to verify their eligibility for exemption.

The MOA was signed last 15 March 2017 with all 40 airlines operating in NAIA agreeing to make the exemption automatic upon booking. The move is consistent with the objectives of the DOTr and the directive of President Duterte to give OFWs a seamless and hassle-free experience at the airport.

It can be recalled that the IPSC Integration Project implemented in February 2015 was met with opposition from concerned OFW groups and advocates as it required OFWs to go through a refund process.

Rotary Clubs in Pasig, District 3800 Team Up with PBEX for Unlad-Kaakbay Market and Expo Promotion

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig, Pasig Business Club and Ex-Link Events opened the 8th Philippine Business and Entrepreneurs’ Expo at the Megatrade Hall 1 of SM Megamall with a bang, as representatives from government and civic organizations attending the said occasion.

Among the guests present in the opening are Cooperative Development Authority OIC Chief for Project Development and Assistance Division Mr. Julio Casilan, Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines’ Director for Industry Relations Mr. Miguel Angelo C. Villa-Real, Pasig City Business Club President Ms. Elvie Tarrobal, Ortigas Center Association Inc. General Manager Ms. Malou B. Reyes, Rotary International District 3800 Governor for RY 2017-2018 Atty. Salvador C. Quimpo, Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig President for RY 2017-2018 Ms. Mary Ann Ong Santiago, and Rotary Club Presidents from the Pasig City area.

Ex-Link Events Chief Executive Officer Ms. Michelle D. Ballesteros gave emphasis on the Unlad-Kaakbay Community Livelihood Expo Promotion and Market-Matching Project, wherein the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig and Ex-Link Events help community entrepreneurs in showcasing their products and services to the general public, taking into account how Ex-Link has been helping entrepreneurs to grow their business almost seventeen years ago with its first Hobbies Turned Business Fair.

This year’s beneficiaries are community livelihood enterprise from Pasig City selling desserts, peanut butter, bracelets, curtains and rags; Live for Others Movement supported by the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig; and the Kabuhayan sa Waterlily livelihood project of the Rotary Club of Pasig.

The 8th Philippine Business and Entrepreneurs’ Expo is sponsored by AXA Philippines, Eastwood Global Plaza Luxury Residences, Golfhill Gardens, CDO, Citibank, Jack N’ Jill Calbee, Nissin Ramen, Brother Philippine, Enchanted Kingdom and Hotel Sogo; and supported by Rotary International District 3800 – Zone 6, the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig, Pasig City Business Club, Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry, Ka-Entrep Micro and Small Entrepreneurs Organization of the Philippines, and Chase Technologies Corporation; with media partners GMA, Barangay LS 97.1, Asenso Pinoy, EntrepTV, Light Network, Star Music, 702 DZAS, Business Café, Malaya Business Insight, BusinessWorld, The Manila Times, MoneySense magazine, Locale City Guide, Azrael’s Merryland, Astig.ph, PSST.ph, Negosentro, World Executives Digest, Wazzup Pilipinas, Pisig Ad Network and Young Entrepreneurs’ Society of the Philippines.

Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2017 Media Launch

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The 15 female and male contestants of the 4^th Mr. and Ms. Chinatown: New Dynasty were presented to the media at the Solaire Resorts and Casino. This year’s batch of hopefuls come from Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao and other key cities around the country, all competing for the prestigious beauty title.  During the program, Ms. Joy Wu and Mr. Jacob Munes were chosen as the evening’s Darling of the Press. Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2017 Grand coronation will be on September 1, 2017 at Solaire Resorts and Casino. 

Undeniably, pageants have become an inextricable part of the Filipino culture. In fact, the country has recently been dubbed as a powerhouse in pageantry. This love for pageants, they say, is ingrained in our system and could be traced back to the American colonial period, when women from different regions across the country gathered in traders’ fairs to represent and promote their localities. Now, almost every Filipino town and institution has its own local competition where winners are expected to personify the attributes and values of the community.

Mr. and Ms. Chinatown was created from this concept. Since its creation in 2013 Chinoy TV, together with the Miss Chinatown Foundation has been staging the grand competition every year. With various themes that highlight the grandeur of Chinoy life, it is the much-awaited annual event of the Chinese-Filipino community.

This year’s pageant theme is “New Dynasty” which seeks to create a re-defined image of the Chinoy, characterized by the graceful combination of traditional values and a contemporary, progressive stance. Mr. and Ms. Chinatown: New Dynasty is anchored on the belief that the modern Chinoy is open-minded and ready to brave change and new heights.

Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2017 Grand coronation will be on September 1, 2017 at Solaire Resorts and Casino.

Ms. Joy Wu and Mr. Jacob Munes were chosen as the evening’s Darling of the Press.

                                  

Cover Photo Caption:

Left to Right (Middle) Mr. Willord Chua, Host, Mr. Alvin Kingson Tan, President Fil-Chi Media Productions Inc. – Ms. Loraine Tan, COO, Fil-Chi Media Productions Inc., Mr. Ron Lim, Admin Manager Oriental Group and Mr. Jay Ang Marketing Manager Oriental Group