Catriona Gray Joins Smile Train as its Newest Global Ambassador

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Smile Train Global Ambassador and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray visited Smile Train’s partner hospital, Philippine Band of Mercy, where she met with cleft patients and their families.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray joins Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft organization, as its newest Global Ambassador.

“Working with Smile Train has allowed me to help create smiles around the world. As one of their newest Global Ambassadors, I will continue to use my voice and platform to help raise awareness and advocate for children with clefts here in the Philippines and all around the world,” said Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.

Gray recently turned over Php 388,200 raised from her “Catriona Gives A Smile” birthday fundraiser, which will support cleft care treatment for at least 30 Filipino babies born with a cleft.

“I have always believed that children deserve every chance in the world to achieve their goals. Through Smile Train-supported cleft treatment, they are given the opportunity to become more confident and live their lives to the fullest,” said Gray.

Smile Train Global Ambassador and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray turns over the check for proceeds raised from her birthday fundraiser to Smile Train South East Asia Director Kimmy Flaviano.

“Smile Train is grateful to be working with Catriona as one of our Global Ambassadors. She is committed to furthering our vision of giving new smiles and second chances to those born with a cleft, not only in the Philippines but around the world,” said Smile Train South East Asia Director Kimmy Flaviano.

For the last 20 years, Smile Train, with the support of its donors and partners around the world, have supported safe and quality cleft care for more than 1.5 million children in need. In the Philippines, Smile Train has supported cleft surgeries for more than 60,000 children since 2001.

For more information about Smile Train Philippines and to donate, please visit smiletrain.ph. To learn more about Smile Train’s local programs in the Philippines, please follow Smile Train Philippines on Twitter and Instagram @SmileTrainPh, and like us on Facebook at @SmileTrainPhilippines.

5 Things You Should Never do While Travelling

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These days, traveling alone or with family can be a very daunting task, especially if you don’t have hands-on experience of doing it before. Everyone wants to see how beautiful the world is but it is essential that you don’t leave a negative impact somewhere in the world. With climatic changes, global terrorism and many other issues, traveling to the right destination is a challenging thing. But the good news is, there are thousands of safe places in the world, you can visit and enjoy with family. Here, in this article, we will guide you through a few things you should never do while traveling:


1. Don’t Feed the Wildlife

Yes, taking a picture while feeding a monkey for an Instagram post might seem to be a very heroic thing, but you should never feed animals, especially when you encounter them on the road. Feeding animals on roads will make them dependent on humans. Even if they are friendly in the beginning, it will take them a few seconds to turn violent in case you stop feeding them. Secondly, you must keep in mind that food fit for humans might not be friendly to their stomach, so it is better to beware.

2. Don’t Litter

The only moment we all stop littering the streets and public places is when the world will be able to march towards a pollution-free environment. When you visit a place, tossing garbage around the streets is not just disrespectful but also causes damage to people around. Developing countries don’t have reliable trash cans where people can litter the garbage. However, in the developed world, much emphasis is on keeping the environment clean and healthy. One good idea is to travel with a crunch water bottle and a small bag. This way, you can use your bag to stack the wrappers and wasted stuff.

3. Don’t Splurge on Shopping

Even if it looks like the most delicate diamond piece on earth, don’t fall for its beauty because the souvenir is going to take a big toll on your pocket. When traveling to a new destination, always conduct some research on the prices of the souvenirs over there. It is good to support the local cottage industry but is equally imperative to create a difference in spending little versus being ripped off financially. Tourism is a major industry for many countries around the globe, so it is important to beware of poor quality and expensive products during shopping.

4. Don’t Forget Important Documents at Home

If you have an extended stay in a new destination, it is imperative to carry all important documents. You should have visa papers, a copy of tickets, identity card, driver’s license and insurance papers. Furthermore, if you have applied for any train passes in advance, it is crucial to carry a copy of those documents too. For instance, if you’re traveling to Japan and have already booked a train pass from https://japanrail-pass.com/ , you must always keep a copy of the pass in your document bag.

5. Don’t Travel Extensively

People who plan a trip to multiple locations within a few days often end up being lazy throughout the trip. Therefore it is better to plan little and explore the place where you go. If you spend more than 73 hours in flight out of the three weeks you have, the experience won't be fun. More than traveling, you should focus on the experience of interacting with locals and exploring a new area. Traveling extensively results in the jet lag that can come in its worst form.

5 Best Travel Tips

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Traveling is the best therapy in the world because it allows a person to cut off from work and enjoy some time with his/her authentic self. However, most people start making silly mistakes when they’re preparing for a trip. A lot of them tend to over pack whereas some of them invest themselves in different kinds of insurance plans. Brace yourself for we will guide you through the best travel tips you should always consider:


1. Eat Local Food

If you aren’t brave enough to try the local food of a new place, you won't be able to do justice to a new destination. There is nothing better than trying something that is out of your comfort zone. Especially if you are traveling by yourself, it is essential to try the local food instead of splurging on expensive hotels and dining experiences. You might feel like throwing out, but don’t worry, you will be able to adjust yourself with a new place if your stay is elaborate.

2. Pack little

Keep in mind, if you pack a large suitcase, you will have to worry about carrying it throughout the trip. Especially when it comes to traveling during the summer season, you need to pack as little as possible. Despise overcrowding your suitcase with stuff you don’t even want. Whether you’re a boy or a girl, you won't need more than a pair of jeans, a few undergarments, shorts and half sleeves. Secondly, don’t forget to pack essential medicines for the trip. Pack important documents for the trip as well. If you’re traveling to Cuba, make sure you request a hard copy of Visa Cuba Online from the travel agent.

3. Wear Sunscreen Everyday

More than being out there in the sun, it is essential to protect your skin. Sunlight can be very damaging in extreme cases so it is better to wear sunscreen when going out. People who set out on world tours are suggested to carry multiple sunscreens in their bag to protect their skin. Wear sunscreen every day, regardless of the weather. It will protect your skin from any form of cancer or notorious disease. Sunscreen of SPF level 15 is perfect for average skin.

4. Learn a Few Words of The New Country

Keep in mind, English is not a common language in all countries across the world. Many countries despise interacting with tourists who don’t respond in their language. For instance, if you’re traveling to China, learn a few local words that can help you in interacting with the locals. You should know how to pronounce it. Thank you, hello, I need help and a few other mainstream phrases. This way you won't feel alienated in a new country.

5. Bring Ear Plugs and a Sleeping Mask

You never know who you might have to sit next to on a fast train. Life is all about meeting new people, so be prepared to come across heavy snorers on a busy train and shouters who can’t paddle a word without bursting the other person’s eardrum. Always carry your earplugs and sleep masks. Especially if you’re visiting a high tech country, it is imperative to keep a sleep mask in your pocket. It will help you in relaxing yourself when you will feel like taking a nap on a long train journey.