ILOILO: HEART of the PHILIPPINES

Vallacar Transit Inc., more popularly known as Ceres Bus will start to normalize its operations starting June 1, 2020. As the whole island of Panay is placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ), the the transport company will deploy more buses to cope up with the passenger demand by Monday. Ceres Bus announced on Facebook that due ue to the lockdown, all bus units to be utilized on June 1, Monday, has to undergo mandatory preventive maintenance to ensure the safety of everyone. Therefore, IF THERE WILL BE NO BORDER RESTRICTIONS, on JUNE 1, 2020, ALL FIRST TRIPS (5:00 AM) will only come from ILOILO CITY to any point of destination stated in the schedule. There will be NO FIRST TRIPS (5:00 am) from outside Iloilo Province going to Iloilo City. Time of bus trips from outside Iloilo Province to Iloilo City will depend on the arrival of the first bus at the destination. Ceres Bus has assured that on June 2, 2020, Tuesday

2GO Group Inc shifts to higher gear its passengers’ service operations to support government’s directive to speed up the homecoming of over 24,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded in Metro Manila due to the coronavirus pandemic. The group, which operates the Philippines’ largest integrated supply chain, said it is “ready, willing, and capable”’ of safely transporting the locally stranded OFWs and other individuals to the Visayas and Mindanao regions. In fact, 2GO has been supporting the  Balik Probinsiya  program of the government since it started. Last May 24, two of its vessels -- the M/V St. Therese of Child Jesus and the M/V St.  Leo the Great -- left Manila with 1000 repatriated Filipinos on board who were finally on their way home after being held up in the capital while undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine since April.  2GO’s fleet of passenger ships has made numerous hassle-free trips between Manila to its 12 service ports in Visayas and Mindanao r

Globe myBusiness is shining the spotlight on frontliners working in the service industry with the third and fourth roll outs of its unique collaboration with partner SMEs. The initiative dubbed  “HEROES for HEROES”  aims to extend aid to healthcare frontliners around the country who have been leading the fight against COVID-19, through the distribution of free meal packages produced by partner food SMEs to select partner hospitals. It also seeks to ensure continuity of operations and gains for local food businesses who have been hit the hardest by the onslaught of the pandemic. Under the campaign, Globe myBusiness provided meals for frontliners employed in more than 20 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) specializing in groceries, logistics, and medicines, such as Merry Mart Grocery, Kemp Mart, Unitop Supermarket, Ansaldo Logistics, and Amesco Drugstore. The meals were fully funded by Globe myBusiness and provided by partner restaurants like

The Department of Health partners with HealthNow, an initiative of Globe Capital Venture Holdings, Inc. (“GCVHI”), Vigos Ventures, Inc. (“Vigos”), and affiliates, to offer telemedicine consultation from Monday to Friday, 8:00AM to 7:00PM, except between 12:00NN to 1:00PM. HealthNow joins the roster of CloudPx and SeeYouDoc offering telemedicine consultation for residents anywhere in the Philippines. The public can now log into the HealthNow portal and consult licensed doctors via video call or schedule an online appointment: https://healthnow.ph/ For the full list of telemedicine hotlines and sites, check out the inforgraphics: https://www.facebook.com/156566631021264/posts/3352800071397888/ #BeatCOVID19 #WeHealAsOne #COVID19PH

As we look forward to better days, Belmont Hotel Manila and Savoy Hotel Manila are getting ready for the “New Normal” as we implement our “#SafeStay… We Care” Health and Safety Campaign.  Caring for the well-being of our guests and team members shall always remain our utmost priority when we open our doors once again. “Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 health crisis and these unprecedented and uncertain times, the team, through careful planning and coordination, have commenced a series of initiatives to ensure that we shall be ready for the “New Norm” and other Government-mandated protocols once we have resumed normal operations,” according to Savoy Hotel Manila and Belmont Hotel Manila - Area General Manager, Avinash Menon.  “Additionally, we would like to assure all our patrons and stakeholders that both our Hotels have been regularly and thoroughly Sanitized and Disinfected during the Enhanced Community Quarantine period, and shall continue in the same

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, SM City Iloilo extended its continuing support to the people’s organization taking care of the program, that will not only benefit the environment but the lives of the people taking care of the area as well. SM is committed in supporting projects on environmental protection and community development.  Last May 20, 2020, SM City Iloilo through Assistant Mall Manager Darrel John Defensor, turns over the checks totaling to Php334, 357.68 to Ronita Apurillo, treasurer of Cag-an Upland and Lowland Development Association(CULDA), as part of the continuing assistance to the said people’s organization based in Anilao town in Iloilo province. Fruit trees are being cultivated by CULDA in the 24 hectares of land in Brgy. Cag-an, Anilao, identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resourses(DENR) VI. File photo of the outreach program The project was launched in 2018 together with other SM malls in their

While COVID-19 testing has not been formally required by the government, The SM Store has taken the initiative with on-going rapid mass testing for its employees and affiliates to ensure the safety and health of employees and customers.  Prior to testing, employees are also asked to answer a health survey. Testing is done in batches-employees are mandated to wear face masks at all times, have their body temperature checked  upon entry, disinfect their shoes on a foot mat, and practice social distancing at all times. Employees whose results are negative are cleared for work, however, those with positive results will be guided to an isolation area where they’ll be provided further assistance. The SM Store is one with the country in praying for the healing and recovery of all those affected by this pandemic.

An Ilonggo based in Australia was chosen as one of the 40 international student ambassadors of Brisbane. A native of Oton, Iloilo, 26-year-old Jhoven Cabundocan was appointed as a Brisbane International Student Ambassador (BISA) representing the 95,000 international students of the said city. Cabundocan is living in Brisbane, Australia for two years and currently taking up a Master of Information and Communications Technology at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) SouthBank Campus. “Being chosen as one of the student ambassadors among hundreds who applied for the BISA program is an honor as I represent not only myself, but also the country,” Cabundocan noted. Cabundocan finished his undergraduate studies at De La Salle University with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He said that he decided to move to Australia and pursue post-graduate studies to broaden his knowledge in Information and Communications Technology w

The CoViD-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill. With lockdowns and quarantine all over the world, it has forced us all to be confined in our respective homes. With this limited mobility due to community quarantine comes all kinds of deliveries. From the usual fastfood chain delivery services and food "hailing" apps to online meat, vegetable and fruits market - now everything is just within a swipe of our fingers. And heeding the call of its loyal customers and the need to adapt to the new normal,  The SM Store   launched its very own delivery service - CALL TO DELIVER . It's a straight forward delivery service with the convenience of online shopping from their 35-page (online) catalog, divided into four categories: SAFETY AND PROTECTION INDOOR COMFORTS  OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS MOTHER'S DAY GIFT ESSENTIALS Let's take a look at some of these items... #TheNewNormal essentials are a must and these include facemasks an

COMMUNITIES were locked down, borders were closed, and people were asked to stay at home. Undeniably, the recent pandemic has changed the way people live anywhere in the world. As the world enters a situation after this crisis, people are also asked to adapt to the “new normal” where everyone’s safety and health should be on top priority. “Adapting to the new normal also means taking necessary precautionary measures on one’s health, especially that the newly ended Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) has somehow affected people’s lifestyle,” TMC Iloilo CEO Dr. Felix Ray Villa said citing inactivity and sedentary lifestyle as triggers of serious health problems. All patients entering TMC Iloilo are required to pass through the Pre-Screening Area where assessment for signs and symptoms, travel history taking, and initial temperature checking is being done. “It is still best to consult your doctor early before what you feel becomes worst. You should never comprom

Truly the helpful place, ACE Hardware continues to provide solutions to everything you need for your home repair projects with its Call & Collect service. Your home improvement work will be a lot easier with high performance cordless drills / drivers in compact and lightweight designs. ACE Exclusive hand tools are great for minor repairs like fixing a leaking tap, or repairing broken electrical sockets.  Give your home a fresh new look with lead-free and odorless ACE Paints and painting supplies. Prevent your home from rust and corrosion by spraying ACE Rust Stop paints direct to metal surfaces. Replacing your lights with LED bulbs is also another way to update your home. Choose from ACE Hardware’s wide array of energy saving light bulbs and fixtures as well as durable and high quality extension cords. HOW TO SHOP ACE Hardware’s  Call & Collect Just call or text participating ACE stores, wait for order confirmation