Alay Para Atleta Mobile Donation Campaign for Filipino Para Athletes Launched

Following the successful campaign of Philippine para-athletes in the recently concluded 9th ASEAN Para Games in Malaysia in September, the Philippine Paralympic Committee/Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PPC-PHILSPADA) is pushing the envelope further to support local para athletes in upcoming international competitions.

PPC PHILSPADA launched today a mobile donation service called “Alay PARA Atleta”, a simple and easy way for Filipino citizens to participate in the Philippine Paralympic movement using their mobile phones. The group has tied up with Rising Tide Mobile Entertainment Inc., a mobile content and service company, to launch APA on both Globe and Smart so Filipinos everywhere can help enable our para-athletes to move forward. Under the campaign, citizens can donate amounts starting at P10 up to P500 simply by texting the amount to access code 3456 on their cellphones.

According to PPC-PHILSPADA president Michael Barredo, the mobile donation campaign is part of an integrated marketing plan that aims to propagate the national paralympic movement through various events and activities that will increase public awareness and support for our athletes with disability.

On September 1, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) partnered with the PPC-PHILSPADA so UAAP students and schools can join the Paralympic movement and support Philippine para-athletes using the mobile facility, a communication and payment mode that is most appealing to millennials. UAAP students and athletes are looking to volunteer as support staff and crew in the next ASEAN Para Games in 2019 that will be hosted by the Philippines.



The country won a total of 69 medals (20 gold, 20 silver and 29 bronze) in the last Para SEA Games held September 17 to 23 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Formerly ranked 7th in the overall standing, the Philippines moved two notches higher to 5th place in the ASEAN region. PPC PHILSPADA sees this as the perfect jump board for bigger achievements for Filipino para athletes.
The biggest surprise in the recent KL stint were the fresh para athletes who bagged medals in their very first international competition. These rising stars are products of Palarong Pambansa and includes 16-year old Ma. Cielo Honasan who bagged 3 golds in Athletics, Gary Bejino, 21, 1 gold and 3 bronze in swimming and Claire Calizo, 18, a silver and a bronze in swimming.

“Our showing in KL validated our long range plan: to implement a grassroots development program that will help discover new talents and harness our existing ones in order to create a bigger pool of para athletes that will be ready to compete in the next 2018 Indonesia Asian Para Games, the ASEAN Para Games in Manila in 2019, the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and other international para sport competitions,” Barredo said.

“The Alay PARA Atleta Program is our response to the colorful performance of our para athletes in the recent Para Games. Funds raised through this program will help provide our para athletes with equipment and basic needs that will support them in their quest to transcend their personal barriers to achieve excellence and excite the world. Above all, it will inspire them to know that the whole country is behind them in their dream to excel and bring honor to the country,” he continued.

Barredo further emphasized that “whatever resources we are able to generate will help strengthen PPC’s organizational capacity to enable our national sports associations (NSAs) to implement our grassroots development program. This is in alignment with the mandate of our Philippine Sports Commission Chairman, Butch Ramirez.”

Some Filipino para athletes who have consistently brought home honor for the country are powerlifter Adeline Dumapong (Polio Wheelchair), gold medalist in the 2017, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 and 2003 ASEAN Para Games and bronze in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics; table tennis ace Josephine Medina (Polio Standing), gold medalist in the ASEAN Para Games 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 and 2003; swimmer Ernie Gawilan (Congenital Deformity), gold medalist in the 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011 and 2009; track star Jerrold Pete Mangliwan (Polio Wheelchair), gold medalist in the 2015 ASEAN Para games; Joel Balatucan of field athletics (Polio Wheelchair), gold medalist in the 2015, 2013, 2011 and 2009 ASEAN Para Games; and Julius Jun Obrero (Polio Standing), gold medalist and Wheelchair Dance Sport IPC World Champion.

Best Destinations in the Philippines for Hosting Your Foreigner Friends

When we have our friends from overseas visiting us in the Philippines, we always try to be as hospitable as possible, that's a part of our mentality right? That also includes showing them around and giving them traveling advice. But by doing so, one can easily forget that "our" priorities and taste can be a little different than those of an outside visitor. On these instances we should really be careful and not let our hospitality push aside our guests' desires.

Let's face it, we travel our country differently than we travel abroad, and usually have two things in mind. The first is that we want it to be cost efficient – if it's going to cost as much as traveling overseas we'll just do that. It means that many times we'll prefer skipping the most popular places for cutting the costs. Though there are places that share some traits with many of the famous spots, the atmosphere and amenities, and the transportation to them, are just not as good and don't meet the international standard.

The second thing is that we're not very time wary, and willing to spend some time on the road, to get to a really good place. There are great places that everyone including foreigners will absolutely love, but it makes no sense for them to spend so much of their time commuting. By doing so they'll have to give up on other attractions on their vacation.

They'll want to get familiar with the local culture

We take it for granted, and sometimes even shy away from it, but let us make two things certain. The first is that we have nothing to be ashamed of our culture, we should be proud of it. The second is, that it's very interesting to outsiders, and extremely meaningful for them when visiting a new country. Therefore this is something to put an emphasis on when hosting international guest.

Intramuros is a must, and even Binondo can be a very interesting and educational, but when done alone can be very hectic and confusing. Even for us, who are aware of our history and cultural diversity, an unguided tour to these places can mean nothing to us as it is unorganized and lacking the proper infrastructure. Therefore booking a guided tour is a very good idea, and even you'll enjoy it if you have the time to join your friends.

For a wholesome perspective of a visit to Banaue is also one of the essentials of a trip to the country, and even us aren't taking it for granted. It is just worth the trip, as our culture, or let's call it cultural diversity, has more than meets the eye. Our indigenous cultures are fascinating to outsiders too, and the Banaue Rice Terraces gained a lot of reputation with international tourists.

Two more spots that are a perfect example of places we as local cherish, but are a hassle for international tourists are Vigan, and Batanes. As much as they are beautiful and culturally rich, they are just out of the way. But if your guests are on a long vacation in the Philippines, or it's not their second time, don't rule out these destinations. In any case, because of the difficulty of getting to all places in this section, unless you have a car, it's best to book a package from a travel agency to ensure the quality and convenience of the trip.

They would love to go to the best beaches possible

This is why most people come to the Philippines for, the beautiful beaches. Yes, Batangas has beautiful beaches, Zambales too, and also Pagudpud. Bicol has really good beaches also, and some of the best beaches are in Mindanao, and in other countless locations in the country. But many of these beaches are just very difficult to get to. And even after you get there, the infrastructure is just not enough.

It's true that some foreign tourists look for these kind of places that you just kick back, and enjoy the simplicity. When it comes to local tourism, most people don't look for many attractions, and usually travel in a group, which is also our entertainment. But for most people who travel from abroad, it's just not enough, and external forms of entertainment are very important.

Most foreigners automatically go to Boracay and El Nido. Both are highly touristy, and have everything a beach tourist can wish for. Restaurants and bars, diving and island hopping, and the most stunning beaches in the Philippines. Boracay is known for its wild parties and island lifestyle, and El Nido for its serenity and unmatched beauty. Both are easily accessible, especially in El Nido's case, that there was no direct flight there until recently. Hands down, those are really the best.

Where to dive?

In our opinion, both El Nido and Boracay mentioned above are great for diving. They both have good sites, and many dive clubs, but they aren't the best. Firstly because they are too crowded and secondly because there are just better places. So if your guests are really into diving, and it does make sense to send them to some places other than El Nido and Boracay, and there are many notable options.

Panglao is a really good choice: it's easy to get too, beautiful, very accommodating with a wide range of resorts and hotels, great beaches and relaxed nightlife. And it's also one of the better spots to dive in the country, as there are many dive sites, bountiful marine life, and highly professional and veteran dive shops.

If your guests are on a business trip, and can't really get away for a long time, some places around Manila are just perfect for short diving weekends. Puerto Galera is the best one, as it has all of what Bohol has on a little smaller scale. Well, the old readers can remember that before Boracay became the hottest place in the Philippines, it was Puerto Galera.

And if it is still too far, Anilao in Batangas will be great for a short diving trip, but tell your friends not to expect anything too grand as far on land activities are concerned. If it's a family, Subic is a very good place to visit, because it has the best wreck dives in the country, and family friendly attractions like Zoobic Safari, Inflatable Island and Ocean Adventure. And it is really close to Manila too.

Secret spots for long term adventurers

Sometimes you have friends from overseas who come to the Philippines for a long vacation. Actually, you're just an excuse for them to show up, they really want to travel. Well, even if you can't travel with them doesn’t mean you can give them a good advice. Especially if they are adventurous, there are some really good places they can try out.

Coron is one of those, with amazing wreck diving, and secret spots in Palawan, like Barracuda Lake with a mixture of fresh and salt water, and Twin Lagoons, and extremely beautiful beaches. There are many island hopping trips to choose from, and the town has some nice restaurants. It is also very easy to get to, just a flight from Manila (or Cebu). Coron is amazing for divers and should be included in your recommendation for your diver friends.

Malapascua is another spot for divers. We wouldn’t tell anyone who's not a diver to go there, if he isn’t local that is. Many of us love this island because it's beautiful and relaxed, and relatively accessible. It has nice places to stay and eat, good island hopping and it's cheap. Nothing that you can't get anywhere else mentioned in this post, but there is one thing that's special in Malapascua: Thresher Shark diving, available all year round. This is a diving spot prized by divers worldwide.

Last for this post is no other with the upcoming new most popular in the Philippines, Siargao. It still don't have the capacity to host as many tourists, and doesn't have the same level of resorts and amenities as Boracay and Bohol, but it's becoming very popular with foreigners, mainly backpackers. But if that's the style of your friends, you'll send them to a place that's wild, fun and young, with many attractions. The most prominent one is surfing obviously, but with virgin beaches, and countryside adventures, they'll have plenty to do regardless.

Duterte, Robredo, Sereno, Bato support #WorldPandesalDay on Oct. 16

President Rody R. Duterte, Vice-President Leni Robredo, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Bato dela Rosa and other leaders supported the “World Pandesal Day” celebration on October 16 by the 78-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe at Judge Jimenez St. corner K-1st Street, Quezon City. President Duterte sent a special message supporting #WorldPandesalDay, which honors the Philippines’ humble yet popular pandesal bread, also a reminder of society’s goal to alleviate poverty and hunger.

“World Pandesal Day” started Oct. 16 Monday at 9 a.m. with Vice-President Leni Robredo, PNP Gen. Bato Dela Rosa, Quezon City Police District chief Senior Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar and Kamuning Bakery Cafe owner Wilson Lee Flores led ceremonial giving of free 50,000 pugon-baked pandesal breads, free Mega sardines, free Fly Ace & Hobe noodles, free King Sue hams, Ok Koolers juices, etc. Wilson Lee Flores said: “Kamuning Bakery Café’s World Pandesal Day gift-giving and other charities are inspired by the Bible story in John chapter 6 verses 1 to 14 about the miracle of a boy’s 5 loaves of breads and 2 fishes, which were multiplied to feed over 5,000 people because of faith. This old-fashioned and simple bakery was saved three years ago, now it has become a source of blessings for others.”

Gen. Bato dela Rosa spoke for two hours and answered all questions of local and foreign media at the non-partisan “Pandesal Forum” of Kamuning Bakery Café. He spoke frankly about improving peace and order, the status of the anti-drugs war, his personal life story surviving poverty, President Duterte’s reformist leadership, also possibility of entering politics, and his hope that the media will balance reports with accounts also of deaths of his police.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno---who grew up as a public school student at nearby Quezon City High School who bought pugon-baked pandesal, pan de coco and Spanish breads at Kamuning Bakery Cafe---shall speak at the non-partisan “Pandesal Forum”.

Apart from Kamuning Bakery Café’s annual celebration of #WorldPandesalDay, its yearlong donations of breads to orphanages and other NGOs, its hosting the non-partisan and issues-focused “Pandesal Forum”, writer and realty entrepreneur Wilson Lee Flores has announced that 100% profits from this pioneer bakery in Quezon City shall be donated to charities focusing mainly on non-traditional education and cultural causes like its donations of public schools for poor rural barrios.

The Oct. 16 civic event’s hashtag is #WorldPandesalDay.