Spending Ondoy in Tawi-Tawi

It took a whole eighteen hours before the ship finally docked in the southernmost part of the country. Tawi-Tawi, it seems, is like any other province: noisy, mountainous and polluted. What sets this apart from any other region, however, is the Badjao village that guards around the port area. Immediately throngs of Badjao children came up to the passengers on board the ship to help carry their cargo. Tricycles ply their usual route and people and visitors from all walks of life and ages make traffic along the roads. Smoke belches out of cars and even the shrill voices of vendors fill the air with their boisterous sales pitches, much like the market places in Metro Manila.

But that is until one escapes the port area. The city proper in itself defines the Tawi-Tawi as sober and calm as people just tend to their own needs. The establishments such as carinderias, computer shops and hotels line up along the main thoroughfare. And in the midst of the serene atmosphere, lies the Governor's house somewhere along the plains and fields of the province. Interestingly the next house is miles away.

The Governor's house is a sprawling two-storey mansion with a guard house the size of a palace beside it. There were guards scattered around with real rifles and guns just in case trouble brews. But even with the ammunition in full force, it's a quiet and serene atmosphere as their laughter and talkative stance fill the place. Outside a brick road directs the path of the visitors to the entrance - with a small garden and a statue of a giraffe in the middle of it all. Once inside gold metals in sofas and chairs greet the visitors and a spiral staircase would lead to three bedrooms on the second floor. There is a veranda and a terrace for relaxation.

Tawi-Tawi indeed breeds an experience like no other. To read more about this adventure, click on this link: http://www.officiallyphilippines.com/the-mystic-gateway-to-the-south-4132

The Freedom in Calaguas

One of the greatest privileges that man can ever have is having the freedom to choose what to say, who to vote for, who to be friends with, what to eat and a whole slew of others. In Calaguas Islands in Camarines Norte, man has the greatest privileges of having the freedom to sit and bask under the searing sun all day long, to swim or snorkel beneath the turquoise and crystal clear waters or to lay undisturbed on the hammock all night long. Freedom indeed has a different atmosphere and environment in an island so virginal only natural lights like fireflies and stars can light up the whole evening sky.

This is definitely the place for those who would want to stay away from the bothersome ringing of cellular phones or escape the lurch of the hassles of everyday traffic. What you'd experience is a little bit like the Garden of Eden - a slice of heaven on earth.

To read more about how Calaguas Islands has broken the dangerous barriers of civilization, click this link: http://www.officiallyphilippines.com/nature-personified-in-calaguas-islands-9310

American Standard: The Way to Save

The cost of food, gasoline and other commodities are going up these days. Seems like such a perennial problem isn't it? Not really - if you know some cost-efficient measures that won't only cut off half the price but can pretty much bring comfort to your lifestyle.


American Standard, one of the leading makers of high-quality bathroom fixtures, launches its latest and most luxurious line of products to make any home the envy of the neighborhood. The latest line of shower heads, lavatories, and water closets highlights the company's commitment to design quality and innovation that it has long been known for. Plus the products are indeed cost-efficient, saving you as much as 30 - 40% off water use, cutting your water bill to almost half. This is because one flush only gives out 3 - 4 1/2 liters of water unlike the regular lavatories that waste almost 6 liters.


"Saving is not only about the price. It's about the peace of mind," says Noel Tolosa, American Standard marketing manager. "With American Standard, they are durable, reliable and have great service. If you buy the cheap ones, this is going to cost you because you can't see what's wrong inside. So it's better to invest in something more expensive - invest wisely."

Of course apart from being cost-effective, the products are pioneering and elegant as well. The company launched the Concept Cube, a line of compact but beautiful and stylish bathroom fixtures. The Concept Cube seamlessly blends the sleek modern lines with innovative technology, using strong and simple lines for a contemporary look. A signature soft inner rim that lends architectural style beautifully balances this and is ideal for even small bathrooms so common in today's condominium housing. The Concept faucet series, on the other hand, complements the modern, compact and sophisticated styling of the water closets and lavatories. Made of high quality-chrome, these faucets make even small bathrooms chic and stylish. The faucet allows better water saving because it provides better control for users and being leak-free.


"These new product lines represent American Standard's uncompromising belief in the growing sophistication of the market," say Tolosa. "These products are here because of extensive product research into what the consumers want and what they need."

As a trendsetter in the design and innovation sector, American Standard has always ensured that its design remain relevant to the needs of today;s families and to today's times.


To get first-hand experience of American Standard, why not drop by in any of the Wilcon stores near you? Bathroom Madness which lasts until June 30, 2012 can get you a fixture up to 30% off. 

More than White and Sabang Beach

Do you know that in Puerto Galera there are other places to explore aside from White Beach and Sabang Beach? There are the Tamaraw Falls, the Mangyan Village and other cultural and historical spots. Definitely not just about diving and swimming, but it's all about discovering the country's precious heritage.

 Find out what's in store for you this summer and read why you should visit Puerto Galera.

Here is the link: http://www.officiallyphilippines.com/exploring-puerto-galera-3839

Consult with Pinoymed.com

Everything is going online nowadays. From ordering at restaurants or buying your favorite shirt to promoting services, the internet is definitely an avenue to reach out to more clients and customers all over the world. Now get this: instead of waiting for hours at the doctor's office to have your turn with your check up, how aboutan online consultation with your doctor? Or how about ordering your medicines online?

Pinoymed.com, the largest online medical network and health magazine in the country, gives you an interactive health portal where you can learn any information about your illnesses. This also brings on board medical professionals such as nurses, medical organizations and doctor and reputable writers to talk about health issues and concerns through the headline of the website and other comprehensive updates - with subjects ranging from men and women's health, alternative medicines, pet health, medical conditions and other breakthroughs. There are also tips and information on medical-related subjects given by esteemed doctors and members from partner institutions such as the Philippine Red Cross.

The website also provides you with a directory listings of doctors, institutions, hospitals and drugstores. In the near future it will provide you with a list of medicinal plants, and a detailed information of over-the-counter drugs.

On a more mundane note there are also articles on whether photocopying makes you sick or whether seafood is dangerous for you or not.

"Now with Pinoymed.com, we aim to make all medical information legitimate, safe and reliable because we are dealing with health here," says co-founder and COO Harris Guevarra. "We are dealing with lives because we hope to save more Filipinos suffering from illnesses. And that is by providing them with information that is just a click away."

Editor-in-Chief BJ Camaya adds that with Pinoymed.com, ideas can now be easily communicated. "With this website there is a free exhcange of ideas and information about health," he says on the forum section. "There is a doctor who can answer your medical questions right away."

The site already has 2,000 doctors and 3,000 dentists registered.

Soon, Pinoymed.com will have the following features: videos and images where doctors can talk about different minor and major illnesses; the launching of a youtube channel under the theme "Doc Says", drug information, job opportunities for those looking for a job in the medical field, a topic on deaths and how to cope with them, regular contents for doctors, a space for ordinary people who want to share about their illnesses, up-to-date Manny Pacquiao video and training sessions, a newsletter, an awards night for the doctors and a Pinoymed.com foundation.

Pinoymed.com is the brainchild of Harris Guevarra and Peter Ty.

A Smile is Worth a Thousand Words

The popular adage "A smile is worth a thousand words" may be true for some. Unfortunately for kids with a cleft palate and a lip deformity, forming a smile in their mouths is close to impossible; conveying what they need to say - and feel - seems difficult. But with the help of Mr. Roberto Manzano, president of Operation Smile Philippines and Dr. Laurence T. Loh, volunteer doctor for the private and non-profit organization, these smiles are now close to home.

"We are aiming to give back to the children of the country," says Mr. Manzano. "We are giving the gift of a brand new surgery and the gift of smile to 15,000 children."

Dr. Loh agrees, "Life is more meaningful when God-given abilities and the skills you've developed are put into good use. I have a particular sense of advocacy for the kids of Operation Smile because it only takes over 20 minutes to perform a surgery that would change their lives. I intend to give back."

This year marks a milestone for Operation Smile. Now on its 30th year, the organization has been changing lives and healing humanity. Since its inception in 1982, Operation Smile Philippines has done over 24,000 free reconstructive surgeries to underprivileged Filipino children, while Operation Smile International volunteers have provided free reconstructive surgery to over 200,000 children and young adults around the world, and thousands of health care professionals have been trained globally.

For this year Operation Smile Philippines is set to visit eight key cities in the country: Naga, San Fernando in Pampanga, Cagayan de Oro, Silay City in Negros Occidental, Sta. Ana in Manila, Cavite, Cebu and General Santos City. The high incidences of clef palate is in the Bicol region and the Mindanao area.

The cost for the surgery is P100,000 but with Operation Smile's free services, the unit cost for all equipment needed, volunteers transportation fees and others is only P15,000.

With that Operation Smile is indeed more than an advocacy. This is a movement of volunteers wanting to change lives and the community - one smile at a time.