This pandemic hit us so badly, a lot of people were isolated in their own homes and after being locked down for a long period of time, you can see inevitable excitement in the eyes of my little angel. My whole family went on a staycation at Maribago Bluewaters recently and we had so much fun, I will be sharing with you my 2 vlogs so that you can also tour around the hotel digitally and I hope you will enjoy it with us. I also encourage you to check their newest website http://bluewaterexclusives.com.ph for their amazing deals. 

We Stay at Amuma Spa Room for only P4000 originally P12,000 and this deal is still ongoing on http://bluewaterexclusives.com.ph just simply click the Stay category and you will be directed to the room rates that are on sale right now and what's good about this promo because you can you use it until December next year, isn't it amazing? well for my family it is and I bet you will love it too. In the first video, I shared a room tour so that you could also check it for yourself, the room was so huge and clean, not to mention all their staff was so helpful and accomodating, hospitality to the maximum level.

While I'm so busy uploading content for my website and editing videos for my youtube channel, my kids are also busy with their modules, I told them that they can enjoy the pool and the beach if they could finish 1 module, hahaha silly mom right? but it needs to be done anyway. I took this opportunity because their internet connection was super fast and I was able to upload 5 videos in total that day, such a great aid as a content creator. Watch the full video above to witness how we spent the day and how the kids enjoyed it so much.

Stay, Eat, Play, Relax and Celebrate at Bluewater Resorts as they establish a strong foothold in the growing online shopping market by launching its own Bluewater Exclusives. It is an online digital platform by Bluewater Resorts where you can buy room, F&B, and spa vouchers, which is honestly super convenient they also have sweet gift ideas as they launched Balay Sa Pasko online, #balaysapasko classic favorites like the Bluewater Chocoron, Cashew Roca, and Ensaymada are made available at the Bluewater Exclusives.

The next video will also show to ou a simple tour inside Balay sa Pasko and their amazing restaurant

ALLEGRO

Weekends buffet.

Weekday's ky a la carte

Check out Bluewaters Amazing Deals and Have a Merry and blessed Christmas everyone! Godbless 

Thankyou for dropping by. 

Best regards,

 CEBU CITY—The Philippines has passed so many laws on gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against women and children (VAWC) but based on a review, these remain an area of utmost concern as it is likened to a “shadow pandemic”.

According to Dr. Rhodora Bucoy, former chair of the Philippine Women Commission (PWC), in her keynote message during the Zonta of Cebu II webinar on “Creating Safe Cities” Friday, December 4 in celebration of the 18 Days Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Children that there is an urgent need for everyone to join the campaign against VAWC/GBV not only in the country but throughout the world.

“Let’s Orange The World,” Bucoy said referring to the Orange The World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect Campaign against VAWC/GBV.  She added that today, there is a greater need for the convergence of initiatives, a multi-sectoral convergence that will address the roots of violence.

Bucoy went on to say that there must be continuing effort to overturn the remaining discriminatory laws and in their place enact new laws that ensure equality and empowerment of women as stipulated in the Social Development Goal (SDG) #5 that VAW is a human rights violation.

“This means focusing our efforts on preventing violence by working with judges, police, and men as well as women’s organizations and youth groups to dismantle stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes,” Bucoy stated.

She went on that advocacy efforts must also support services for survivors of violence including safe spaces and psychological counseling in humanitarian and fragile contexts.  These VAWCs have devastating consequences on the victims/survivors.

Bucoy said that VAWC/GBV advocacy must start from combatting a culture of machismo.  Data continue to show that the alarming picture of VAWC persists. 

“In our constant desire to create a VAW-free community every one of us, men and women alike need to fight the macho culture that tends to negate what we have gained so far,” she added.

According to Bucoy that there is now a worldwide outcry against feudal machismo culture manifested in sexual harassment cases in the entertainment, media and various spheres.

Based on the National Demographic and Health Survey of 2017, VAW statistics in the Philippines showed that one out five women or 20 percent have experienced emotional violence from their partners while 14 percent have experienced physical violence and five percent ever experienced sexual violence.

Bucoy added that based on the same survey, 24 percent of married women have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their most current partners.  Global VAW statistics said that 71 percent of all human trafficking victims are women and girls and three out of four of these women and girls are sexually exploited.

In the same webinar, women advocates against VAWC/GBV from the areas in medicine, journalism, in the field of law and governance, beauty and entertainment, broadcast media, and the LGBTQ+ took turns to share some of their experiences related to GBV/VAW in a “Share My Story” format

The “Story Tellers” included Dr. Stephanie Sitoy, a medical doctor who shared some of the VAW/GBV experiences she saw or vicariously experienced in the medical spaces/workplaces.

The media/journalism sector, theatre arts, beauty and entertainment industry were also replete with cases of VAWCs and GBVs and these experiences were shared by Andi Matheu, Claire Delfin former Ms. Earth Karla Henry-Amman, and Charlene Virlouvet. 

(Ms. Claire Delfin)

(Former Ms. Earth Karla Henry-Amman)

(Ms. Charlene Virlouvet)

In the field of law and governance, Atty. Jennifer Atienza shared with the audience her knowledge and cases she handles that reflect VAW/GBV at the public-private workplaces and the LGBTQ+ community had Rain Villagonzalo who shared her experiences and cases of gender-based violence and other discriminatory remarks against the LGBTQ.

The December 4 webinar on “Creating Safe Cities” that focused on stories of women being subjected to gender-based sexual violence is one of the topics in a series of webinars mounted by the Zonta Club of Cebu II as part of its activities during the celebration of the 18 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women from November 25 to December 12.

 Pasig City, Philippines; December 11, 2020 — Due to limited mobility, local small businesses, nowadays, are urged to move to digital platforms to allow them to continue operating even when they are isolating themselves at home. 

Since the start of community quarantines and lockdowns, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) noted that there was a surge in the number of registered online businesses in the country, which allows local entrepreneurs to continue earning while at home. In September, the number of registered online business names soared to 75,000—a leap from about 1,700 in March.  

But what really are the advantages of putting up a home-based business? Is it even practical to start venturing into it, especially amid a pandemic? Take it from Shirley Reginaldo and Gershon Gallego—two Santé business owners who found success in having a direct-selling, home-based business. 

There are generally two ways to earn from direct selling: one is through retail profit, which is by buying directly from the parent organization and selling the product for a premium to consumers. Another way is by building your own organization of distributors/resellers where one may earn money both from the direct retail profit and from the commission on the efforts of the distributors/resellers in your organization.  

Earning while having more time with family 

For Shirley Reginaldo, a business owner from San Juan City in Manila and a mother of four beautiful daughters, having a direct-selling business allows her to have more time with her family. She was recently widowed so, having a home-based business that would enable her to sell products using social media or the Internet makes it more convenient for her to have a good source of income amid the pandemic while being with her family.  

Reginaldo has been a Santé business owner since 2012. She first learned about Santé, one of the active global players in the direct selling and wellness industry, on TV, and was immediately interested in trying its organic barley-based products.  

“I first learned about Santé on TV, and I was amazed by its benefits, so I wanted to try its barley products. But when I learned that they distribute them through direct selling, I lost my interest until my sister, who, at that time, got sick, needed to take some food supplements to help her maintain her health and wellbeing. And so, we bought Santé Barley and, eventually, decided to become a part-time direct seller. Two years after, I became a full-time Santé business owner,” said Reginaldo. 

Being in the direct selling business for eight years and now a muti-millionnaire, Reginaldo said that having a home-based business allowed her to be in control of her time. And, since she has been doing her business online, she has not felt any significant change, except that more people became more interested in embarking on direct selling since many lost their jobs due to the pandemic. 

Safe, Convenient, Economical 

Apart from allowing you to work and earn from home, a direct selling business is also safe, convenient, and economical. Gershon Gallego, a business owner from Mindanao, noted that it only takes a little time to get the hang of it, especially if you are willing to learn and adjust. 

Gallego, a nurse by profession, decided to put up a small business for his family when he was 25 years old. He was inspired by his hardworking brother, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW), who served as the breadwinner of their family and helped all of them to continue their studies.  

From these humble beginnings, he decided to put up his direct selling business with Santé, together with his then-girlfriend, now his wife. They became a Santé business owner in 2015. 

“I remember us borrowing money because we have nothing back then. All we have is our dreams. My wife and I started as part-time Santé business owners with a promising opportunity in mind and a vision to earn more. We did it consistently with focus and determination. A few years later, with God's grace, both of us earn seven digits, and now doing it full-time," said Gallego. 

Now 30 and a multi-millionaire, Gallego aspires to help others to find success in the direct-selling business. “My wife and I have experienced all the good sides of putting up a direct selling business and, it usually delivers to those who really strive hard. Success for us is not material wealth, rather the ability to give hope to the hopeless, genuinely help and encourage people to dream again,” he said.  

Choosing the right company, products 

When it comes to choosing the products to sell, Gallego said that it pays to first understand what the product is, including its components, ingredients, benefits, among others, before selling them.  

Shirley Reginaldo couldn’t agree more. She noted that the product’s quality is incredibly important to create a base of repeat customers and, the same goes whether the product is consumable or not. Another setter for the product is how you, as a seller, think about the product’s quality—that is why it pays more if you also use or consume the products.  

Another factor is the relevance of the product. With the present health crisis, people need essential goods like food, as well as products that can help them maintain a healthy immune system. 

“I chose Santé’s organic health and wellness products for my business because I know that they are relevant and of high-quality. If you have that kind of product, then the success of your business will follow,” said Reginaldo.  

Gallego, on the other hand, noted that it also pays to choose the company or brand that would push you to become successful. With the changing buying habits of Filipinos, for instance, the company that you will be associating with should allow you to adjust quickly. 

“There have been a lot of changes amid the ‘new normal,’ especially on the marketing side of our business. We used to present Santé products to our clients via table talks or group presentations but now, everything has to be done online,” Gallego added.  

To help its business owners navigate through these changes, Santé utilized technology to quickly adapt and cater to the demands of the “new normal.” Fastly adapting to the COVID-19 situation, Santé business owners can now order products and have them shipped conveniently with just a few clicks. They can also transact everything through the company’s website.  

Santé also migrated its ‘Engage’ programs, a set of training and seminars for all its business owners, to online platforms and are given for free. All these initiatives make it even easier for entrepreneurs to continue or jumpstart their direct selling business.  

When asked about their advice to those who are planning to put up their home-based direct selling business, Gallego and Reginaldo recommend not to wait until the pandemic is over. With proper guidance, mentorship, and perseverance, they can start their home-based business now with Santé.  

Now present in 10 key cities worldwide, Santé continues to receive a steady demand for its organic health and wellness products. Known for its flagship, Santé Barley™, the company has developed a comprehensive selection of everyday barley-based products. They are made, specifically with organic barley grass, as certified by BioGro, New Zealand’s leading organic certification agency. 

To learn more about Santé, visit its website at santebarley.com.  

 Pledges of Hope

         

are 

Buyong Elementary School near Maribago, 

Danao Elementary School near

Panglao, and Bancogon Primary School near Sumilon Island.

The resort will help support the printing of their modules using the funds

generated from the resorts’ fundraising initiatives.

The Pledges of Hope was inspired by this year’s theme for the holiday season.

These pledge cards are shaped like leaves and Christmas ornaments that can

be hung by the donor at the Puno Ng Pag-Asa (Tree of Hope).

Each Pledge of Hope card has a corresponding amount based on the color and

design starting from P500 up to a maximum amount of P2,000. Donors may

also write their messages of hope on the cards which will be given to the

children of each beneficiary school.

A portion of the proceeds from the Balay Pasko sales and Christmas room

offers will go to the beneficiary schools. 

 PAMATI 2020, a talk to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS, violence against women

PAMATI 2020, a Talk on HIV was conceptualized because of the desire to raise awareness for two causes-- HIV/AIDS and Violence Against Women where participants were reminded that while there is an existing COVID-19 pandemic, we all have been battling the HIV/AIDS pandemic years prior and up until this point. 

Violence against women and girls is a cause and consequence of HIV infection. It is one of the key drivers behind the increasing number of women and girls living with HIV and AIDS. Young women are especially at risk, as a result of sexual violence, trafficking for sexual exploitation, child marriage and other harmful practices.

The subordinate position that many women and girls hold within their families, communities and societies restricts their access to information about sexual and reproductive health and their use of health-care services. Fear of violence makes many reluctant to be tested or treated, and inhibits their capacity to negotiate safer sexual practices.

HIV/AIDS is preventable through 5 ways – (A) Abstinence, (B) Being Faithful, (C) Correct and Consistent Condom Use, (D) Do Not Do Illegal Drugs, (E) Education, Early Detection, and Early Treatment. 

People are also reminded of the roles of healthcare professionals, as private individuals, and as Filipinos- to eradicate the stigma against HIV, to stand up for the rights of women, and to stand for equality. 

The following speakers, Maritess “Rina” Cardines, Dr. Helen Madamba, and John Carlo Divina, shared valuable information and inspired the audience to take their part in raising awareness against HIV/AIDS and VAW.  

The public must be educated to accept that the diagnosis of HIV is no longer a death sentence with proper medication, guidance and counseling. Persons living with HIV can look forward to having a long, productive lives, and may even have their families of their own.

The organizers of the activity, Accentuating Lives through Service and Advocacy – Cebu Doctors’ University (ALSA – CDU), ALSA – CDU Standing Committee on Reproductive Health including HIV and AIDS (ALSA – SCORA), the Mandaue City Government and Zonta Club of Cebu II thanked all the partners, stakeholders, and individuals who shared their time in making the activity a success.