Wazzup Pilipinas and Villar Sipag Distributes Fertilizers and Seeds to Pasig Community

Wazzup Pilipinas!

We just had a fertilizers and seeds distribution to the residents of Eusebio Bliss Village, now called Pasig City Housing Village 1... basically because we have a new mayor after Bobby Eusebio lost to Vico Sotto.

The fertilizers and seeds were from the office of Senator Cynthia Villar as requested by yours truly for our community here to encourage them to plant vegetables for sustainable living. 

The pandemic and its quarantines has made me a Plantito, since planting is more productive than spending time watching Netflix, especially if you're a Vegetito...or specifically one that plants vegetables instead. The motto is "Grow Your Own Food" or at least whatever is possible inspite of the limited space we have at our building.

Thus container gardening is ideal. You can grow veggies on either pots or any recycled containers may it be a softdrink or mineral water container, an old pail or bucket, an ice cream tub, or whatever you could put in soil, or what I've newly learned during the quarantine: hydroponics - growing plants using a mix of water and nutrient solution.

We have to thank Engr. Mark Dela Vega and his team for delivering the fertilizers and seeds at our village inspite of the rains. I think the storm signal was already at number one as we were bringing down the sacks of fertilizers from the truck.

We are grateful to the prompt action to our request. I am impressed of their immediate response.

"Good morning!

Villar Sipag of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar has donated 50 sacks of fertilizers and 50 packs of seeds.

We aim to establish urban container vegetable gardens in our community in support of the goal to achieve food sustainability amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So you are encouraged here to plant vegetables at the comfort of your own homes using even recycled containers as pots.

For those who are interested to receive a set, and eventually plant the seeds and harvest vegetables after a few weeks, you may want to join us as they deliver it this afternoon around 2 to 3 pm for a photo ops required for their documentation.

Thank you."

That's the message I sent to our group chat on Facebook where the members are all from our building here in our village. There's a total of a hundred units thus that's 100 families on our building alone. It doesn't include the older buildings around us. One of the residents earlier said there were 45 units per building so if there's 8 more buildings then multiply that by 45 then that's a lot more families in our village.

Unfortunately, we can't give everyone since there's only 50 sacks of fertilizers and 50 packs of seeds provided. Though that number is already big for a donation and generous for the office of Senator Cynthia Villar.

I wanted it on a first come, first serve basis so whoever comes to the meeting place (our village basketball court) they get to receive the set. But my wife asked everyone to sign up and list themselves via the group chat. So a bit of confusion since there were others from different buildings who came. Naturally, we can't refuse especially if there are still seeds and fertilizers unclaimed.

"Salamat po sa mga tumanggap ng fertilizers and seeds. Sana po ay itanim ninyo ang mga iyan at alagaan hanggang harvest time.

Ang request ko lang po ay mag post po tayo ng mga pictures on social media to encourage others even those not residing here to "grow our own food" for sustainable living. 

Kung yung Covid-19 virus ay libo-libo na ang pinatay, tayo naman po ay bubuhay dahil hindi tayo magugutom kung magsisipag sa pagtatanim kahit sa mga paso, at recycled containers. Let our pictures infect others to follow our example.

Salamat pong muli."

Siyempre may video coverage rin.

What I'm so proud of is because my first initiative related to this advocacy was a request for seeds from the Bureau of Plant Industry where a few of my neighbors also benefitted from it. 

But now, there's even fertilizers included in this particular effort. 

Hopefully, I'll get to partner with more like-minded  individuals and organizations that will help in advocating "Grow Your Own Food" for a sustainable future for all of us.

Aside from my attempts to share tips and information about urban gardening on social media, these little achievements are meant to be celebrated. 

#WazzupPilipinas #UrbanGardening #VillarSipag #ContainerGardening #VegetableGarden #Plantito #Plantita #Vegetito #Vegetita #GrowYourOwnFood #SustainableLiving

Radisson Hotel Group expands brand freedom with the launch of Radisson Individuals

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the launch of a new brand, Radisson Individuals, giving independent hotels and small chains the opportunity to become part of the global Radisson Hotel Group platform and benefit from international exposure, with the freedom to maintain their own unique style and identity.

Radisson Individuals hotels are selected for their original personalities and characteristics, offering guests the chance to discover new locations around the world and at home, while always delivering Radisson Hotel Group’s high standards of quality and “Yes I Can!” service, combined with the local flavors and qualities of the member hotels.

Federico J. González, CEO, Radisson Hotel Group said, “The launch of Radisson Individuals marks another milestone in our ambitious five-year transformation plan to be recognized as one of the top three hotel companies in the world and the brand of choice for owners, guests and talent. We created Radisson Individuals in response to the evolving demands of the modern market. Joining Radisson Individuals is an ideal first step for individual hotels with strong service scores who wish to remain independent or may be considering transitioning to one of our successful core brands in the future. The new brand is also a strong proposition for local and regional hotel brands seeking to explore additional distribution channels and co-branding options.”

Radisson Individuals represents an outstanding opportunity for hotels to enhance their visibility, nurture customer confidence, and access a wider audience through multiple distribution channels and a global sales structure. These hotels will benefit from the contracting power and economies of scale that come from a brand that is trusted by millions of guests across the world, as well integrated IT and revenue platforms, and comprehensive operational systems to deliver higher GOP margins.

Hotels wishing to join Radisson Individuals will undertake a compliance assessment focusing on four key parameters: health and safety compliance, online rating, fire compliance, and their ability to connect to the Group’s main operating systems. Hotels will receive training on the Group’s “Yes I Can!” service philosophy and achieve above 80% Guest Review Index (GRI) score, to ensure that “Every Moment Matters” and that every guest experience pillar is achieved.

Radisson Individuals member hotels will also have the opportunity to become part of Radisson Rewards™, the global guest reward program that offers exclusive benefits and makes each participating property the preferred place to stay for millions of loyal guests worldwide.

In 2018, Radisson Hotel Group launched its new brand architecture under the Radisson Hotel Group umbrella, with the aim of introducing a select number of compelling brands to their owners and guests alike. The launch of Radisson Individuals bring the number of brands in the Radisson Hotel Group portfolio to nine, including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and prizeotel, all brought together under one commercial umbrella brand: Radisson Hotels.

Dusit partners with Pixel One to provide safe, dynamic and affordable solutions for hybrid meetings in Thailand

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"New models facilitate small gatherings while simultaneously leveraging technology for secure, reliable and instant global reach." 

Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has teamed up with innovative Bangkok-based event management company Pixel One Production Co., Ltd, which specialises in audio-visual production solutions for MICE business, to deliver new services for virtual and hybrid meetings at Dusit Hotels and Resorts throughout Thailand. 

The new services, collectively dubbed VICE ROOM (Virtual Interactive Conference Experience), see Dusit’s hotel meeting rooms transformed on demand into high-end recording, live-streaming and presentation studios for worldwide broadcasting. A multi-screen video wall allows for real-time interactions with remote event participants, while a green screen backdrop can be incorporated for high-definition virtual backgrounds. Dedicated professional event specialists are also on hand to ensure swift and seamless connectivity. 

Officially introduced recently as part of a special event held at Dusit Thani Hua Hin for travel industry specialists and representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the VICE ROOM debut demonstrated how meetings can be held safely, sustainably and economically in the new normal. Dusit employees from overseas joined the presentation and could be seen interacting with Dusit’s Group CEO, Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, in a group conversation facilitated by Future One’s high-tech set-up.

Ms Suthumpun believes that hybrid meetings models will be essential for stimulating Thailand’s MICE business in a post COVID-19 world. Not only will they serve as an attractive and safe platform for seminars, meetings and training sessions for companies based in Thailand, but they will also help to engender confidence among international businesses waiting to return, she said.

“The COVID-19 outbreak has brought major shifts to ways we live our lives, with measures such as social distancing making it very difficult for people to meet in person,” said Ms Suthumpun. “Our strategy to meet these changes, and the subsequent shifts in consumer preferences, is to offer convenience, experience and value at every opportunity. This includes collaborating with others to offer innovative solutions which we hope will benefit our industry at large. Our partnership with The Pixel One Production aims to achieve this by combining its solutions for socially distanced meetings and seminars with the expertise and renowned hospitality of our own Dusit Events team. Ultimately, our services will serve as a one-stop, affordable shop for safe, efficient and highly engaging hybrid meeting models and solutions. And these will be available at all Dusit Hotels and Resorts in Thailand, and also for offsite events catered for by our team.”

Mr Chatupol Sittichai, CEO of The Pixel One Production Co., Ltd. and Future One The Virtual Center, said that the solutions his company offers have been designed not only to facilitate remote participation, but also enhance creativity and engagement by enriching the meeting experience with virtual Q&As, live polls, and animated presentations, amongst others.

“The VICE ROOM has been carefully designed to help people connect and communicate via advanced technology, but still feel like they are interacting in the same place by sparking the kind of creativity that occurs in actual meetings,” said Mr Sittichai.  “Our connected systems and technologies, including a curved wall of high-definition screens that can simultaneously display up to 100 remote participants, enable real-time interaction and ensure information and content are relayed quickly and efficiently for effective outcomes. What’s more, our large green screen backdrop allows for all kinds of virtual screens to be superimposed behind the presenter, enhancing participation and engagement even further.”

Hybrid meeting packages at Dusit Hotels and Resorts in Thailand, including a VICE ROOM set up for up to 100 remote participants, are available now, starting at only THB 90,000 for a one-day set up.