PLDT Enterprise drives digital transformation of Lipa City for improved public services

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

PLDT Enterprise recently announced its partnership with the City Government of Lipa to roll out digital services that will help improve governance and the delivery of public services for its constituents.



Jovy Hernandez, ePLDT President & CEO and SVP & Head for PLDT and Smart Enterprise Business Groups recognizes the importance of supporting government especially in its infrastructure needs, saying “it is imperative that we are one with the government to improve the delivery of critical public services during this unprecedented and very challenging times. PLDT Enterprise reiterates this commitment with the establishment of its partnership with the Lipa City Government aimed at transforming the LGU’s digital capabilities.”



Lipa City is 86 kilometers south of Metro Manila and is the most populous city in Batangas. The so-called “Little Rome of the Philippines” is home to several historic Catholic churches, convents, seminaries, Catholic schools and retreat houses, and local businesses which can fully leverage and maximize the benefits of its IT Infra Enhancement Project, as this will widens its coverage to more residents and businesses in the area.



PLDT’s Premium iGate Internet, with its unparalleled connectivity founded on the country's most extensive fiber optic backbone, and Voice Communications solutions, built on the country’s strongest and wide range communication infrastructure, will assure the city of connectivity that is reliable and resilient.



Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa said that as part of his Digital Roadmap for the city, he wants to improve and enhance his LGU’s IT infrastructure. With PLDT’s Premium iGate, SIP trunks and #MyNumber soon to be operational on a broad scale in the LGU, this will become a reality. He says that “the people of Lipa City deserve no less than the best service, and I am particularly grateful that PLDT Enterprise has partnered with us to provide the best service solutions to enhance Lipa’s digital infrastructure. This will not only be cost-efficient, but more importantly, it will allow us to provide better and more efficient public services using advanced technologies. To be able to streamline operational processes and centralize the LGU’s Internet, data and voice communications will help eliminate long queues and even red tape.”



Despite the continuing challenges of the global health crisis, PLDT Enterprise and the City Government of Lipa are upbeat on this partnership. The global standards and features of PLDT Enterprise’s Premium iGate, SIP trunks and #MyNumber will address pain points of Lipa residents and enable the city to have a world-class Information and Communications Technology infrastructure. This solid improvement in their digital landscape is projected to attract more businesses to set up shop in this emerging key city.



"Through this partnership, we at PLDT Enterprise aim to transform the local public services of Lipa that will enable the LGU to better help its citizens most especially in these times of need," says Vic Tria, PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head. "We signify our commitment in supporting Lipa LGU with our innovative technologies and services to boost their transformation initiatives."



For more information on PLDT Enterprise and its partnership with Lipa City, visit pldtenterprise.com #

Musica Europa 12 : A virtual choral festival and concert of champions

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Musica FEUROPA, Far Eastern University’s annual choral festival with the European Union Delegation in the Philippines as its principal partner proudly presents
Musica FEUropa 12,a virtual series of concertsfor the first time on May 15, 22, 29 and 30, 2021.


Musica FEUROPA 12 will celebrate the power of music with choral groups sharing
their virtual performances to showcase both Philippine and European pieces for the public to see, hear and enjoy.


Musica FEUROPA aims to elevate the standards of participating choirs by using the European guidelines for competitions. It prepares Filipino choirs to participate in European choral competitions and fosters an openness to cultural exchange.

The main purpose of Musica FEUROPA is to make it one of the definitive festivals in the choral circuit, first in the Philippines, then in the world:

--- To promote the European Union in the Philippines, particularly through its music during the European Union Month of May;
--- To expose Filipino choirs to the works of European composers; and
--- To give equal importance to the works of Filipino composers.


As in previous years, highly respected Adjudicatorsfrom the Philippine choral circuit will be present in the first three concerts to provide constructive feedback to each of the selected choirs.


The adjudicators are as follows:

Anna Abeleda-Piquero,
Mark Anthony Carpio,
Dr. Ed Manguiat,
Ramon Lijauco, Jr.,
Jonathan Velasco, and
Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan.


Some of these adjudicators will return for the finale on May 30 to conduct their choir in
the Concert of Champions.


The latter will feature various Filipino choirs who have won not just in Musica FEUROPA
but bigger competitions in the Philippines and abroad.


Invited choirs will submit videos of past or virtual performances of one piece in an official EU language by a composer from the EU, one in any Filipino language or dialect by someone of Filipino descent and the Ode to Joy in German.


The deadline for submission of entries is May 18.


Musica FEUROPA 12 will happen via Zoom.


All Musica FEUropa 12 concerts will also be posted on its YouTube Channel and that of the FEU Center for the Arts.


Musica FEUROPA 12 is also brought to you by 98.7 DZFE, official media partner.


#MusicaFEUROPA
#MusicaFEUropa12
#MF12
#VivaEuropa
#MusicHarmonyLegacy

8 Important Things to Consider When Booking a Hotel

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Traveling for either business or leisure is no longer a new concept and neither is making hotel reservations online. Many choose to do so because of the convenience of settling everything with just a few clicks rather than making several calls to their travel agent. While many seasoned travelers know better than to book the first hotel they see online, some fall prey in trusting captivating advertisement photos—only to be disappointed by the real condition of their rooms when they arrive at the hotel.

If you don’t want to make a similar mistake and ensure you get what you pay for, here are eight important things you need to consider when booking a hotel.

Guest Reviews

The best way to know the real condition of the hotel you are looking at is by reading customer reviews. Many guests are willing to share their experiences and honest feedback. Through the reviews, you will notice a pattern on the similar things people are praising or complaining about. This can help you get more information about the hotel from the guests’ perspective.

When reading through the reviews, take note of both the positive and negative ones too. There may be a few discontented guests that may have been too fussy and complained about almost everything. A good gauge is to see the majority of the reviews. If you see one or two complaints, these may be isolated cases or something the hotel has yet to improve on. On the other hand, a series of praises may mean the hotel strives to provide excellent service to all its guests. Also, you may want to check if the hotel responds to the feedback and tries to resolve the issues immediately. This could mean they value what their customers have to say about them.

Guest reviews can also help keep you updated if a part of the hotel is under renovation or an amenity is temporarily unavailable because of the timely feedback that customers leave. You can typically find these reviews on the hotel’s website, their official Facebook page, and other trusted review sites.

Location

The location of the hotel needs to be safe and practical for you as this could affect your entire trip. You want to make sure that you can safely go back to your hotel in case you end up staying out late. Also, you want to have an idea of nearby restaurants and cafes.

If you are on a business trip, you want to easily get to the central business districts from the hotel. You don’t want to spend so much time on the daily commute. In line with this, make sure to have several modes of transportation available as well. If you are on a budget, it’s good to have options like a ride sharing app rather than just relying on riding a taxi, which may be costly.

Most hotels have brief descriptions of their location with an online map. But it’s always good to check on online maps like Google Maps and see the hotel’s exact location and the establishments in its vicinity.

Wi-Fi Connection

Internet connectivity is now considered more of a utility rather than a luxury, especially for those with a digital nomad lifestyle.

Although most hotels provide free Wi-Fi, some may charge a small fee for a high-speed connection while others limit access to one device at a time. This may be a problem if you have multiple devices or if you are sharing the room with another person. If you need to stay connected throughout your stay, you may want to ask the hotel about it before placing a reservation. Also, be cautious of how some hotels will advertise “Free Wi-Fi” but it will only be available in the lobby or other common access areas.

Complimentary Breakfast

All guests appreciate complimentary breakfast. It’s very convenient and can help save you from having breakfast elsewhere. While some hotels offer a more affordable room rate if you exclude breakfast, consider this carefully if the price difference is small. You may save more by having breakfast in the hotel than in other cafes outside.

Early Check-In and Check-Out

Early check-in can be very helpful and convenient, especially if your flight allows you to arrive hours before the normal check-in time. Some hotels allow you access your room as soon as it’s ready. On the other hand, if your flight departs in the evening, a late check-out may save you from spending hours waiting at the airport.

It’s always good to communicate with the hotel staff before your arrival and see if they will allow you to check-in early or check-out late without any additional costs. Some can be understanding with your request, as long as the room is available. If not, you can ask them to hold your luggage while waiting.

Health and Safety Protocols

With the new health standards in place nowadays, many hotels have taken up new protocols to ensure the safety of their guests and staff. You may want to keep yourself informed on the essential and additional precautions they are implementing. This can also help you prepare in case you need to make special arrangements during your stay. For example, they may encourage to settle all payments online and to have contactless check-in to reduce human contact.

Special Needs

Some travelers may be traveling with people who have special needs. If you are traveling with an infant, you may need to request a bassinet. Similarly, a person with a physical disability may need elevator access and an elevated toilet seat. Also, you may need to check if pets are allowed in the hotel. Those that do may even provide a dog bed.

Discounts and Promos

Every traveler likes discounts and promos. When booking a hotel, be on the lookout for offers that will give you the most savings. You may also avail yourself of loyalty cards for certain hotels to get additional benefits. While you’re at it, check the prices and see if there are any hidden fees. Make sure you read the fine print when it comes to taxes and clarify them with the hotel. You want to avoid being surprised when settling the final fee.

These are just some of the important details you don’t want to skip when booking a hotel, whether it may be through an online travel agency or directly on the hotel’s website. It’s always good to do some research first. You may end up saving more like when you choose to have a direct booking at Kabayan Hotel through their website.