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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Explore More of Europe in 2025 & 2026 with Norwegian Sky


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



For travelers seeking a seamless and unforgettable journey across Europe, Norwegian Sky is set to redefine cruising in 2025 and 2026. Currently sailing through Asian waters, with a stop in Hong Kong, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is gearing up to bring guests to Europe’s most breathtaking destinations. From sun-drenched Mediterranean coastlines to the storybook towns of Northern Europe, this journey promises an effortless and immersive experience.


With Norwegian Cruise Line’s More At Sea™ package, travelers can indulge in unlimited premium beverages, savor world-class dining, and enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi—all while waking up in a new, stunning port every day.






Where Will Norwegian Sky Take You?

1. Mediterranean Marvels – Departing June 4, 2025

Embark on a 10-day Mediterranean adventure, starting in vibrant Barcelona, Spain. Wander through Las Ramblas, admire Gaudí’s architectural wonders, or relax by the waterfront before setting sail.


✔️ Villefranche-sur-Mer, France – Explore the French Riviera, pristine beaches, and coastal beauty.

✔️ Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy – Step back in time to discover the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, and Trevi Fountain.

✔️ Naples, Italy – Visit Pompeii, take in views of Mount Vesuvius, or indulge in authentic Neapolitan pizza.


This itinerary is the perfect blend of history, culture, and relaxation.


2. Greek Isles Escape – Departing June 14, 2025

For those drawn to crystal-clear waters and whitewashed villages, this 11-day cruise is a dream come true.


✔️ Istanbul, Turkey – Begin in this East-meets-West city, home to grand mosques and bustling bazaars.

✔️ Kusadasi, Turkey – Enjoy a late-night departure after exploring the ancient ruins of Ephesus.

✔️ Mykonos, Greece – Discover its lively nightlife or take a ferry to Delos, the legendary birthplace of Apollo.

✔️ Santorini, Greece – Experience breathtaking caldera views, iconic blue-domed churches, and local Greek delicacies.

✔️ Florence & Pisa (Livorno), Italy – Walk through Renaissance art and architecture in Florence or see the Leaning Tower of Pisa.


This itinerary blends ancient wonders with modern luxury.


3. Europe Wonders – Departing August 3, 2025

A must for history lovers, this 11-day journey starts in Copenhagen, Denmark, a city rich in royal history and vibrant waterfronts.


✔️ Bruges, Belgium (Zeebrugge) – A fairytale town with canals, medieval buildings, and Belgian chocolate.

✔️ Le Verdon, France – Sip world-class wines in the Bordeaux region.

✔️ A Coruña, Spain – Visit the Tower of Hercules, the world’s oldest working lighthouse.

✔️ Lisbon, Portugal – End the journey in Portugal’s charming capital, known for its colorful streets and scenic trams.


With a mix of medieval towns, coastal wonders, and rich European culture, this voyage is truly one-of-a-kind.


The Norwegian Sky Experience

Life on board is just as exciting as the destinations themselves:


✔️ Gourmet Dining – Enjoy steakhouse classics, international delicacies, and fine wines.

✔️ Entertainment & Nightlife – Sip cocktails in stylish lounges, watch live performances, and enjoy themed parties.

✔️ Relaxation & Wellness – Indulge in spa treatments, take a dip in the pool, or stay active at the state-of-the-art fitness center.

✔️ Shore Excursions – With a $50 shore excursion credit per port, dive deeper into each destination’s culture.


Book Your European Dream Cruise Today!

With NCL’s award-winning fleet and exceptional service, your European adventure will be nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you dream of Mediterranean sunsets, Greek island getaways, or Northern European charm, Norwegian Sky is your gateway to unforgettable experiences.


For bookings and more details, visit www.ncl.com or contact your travel professional.


See more, do more, experience more with Norwegian Sky in 2025 & 2026!

Emirates Skywards and Accor Elevate Their Loyalty Partnership: More Rewards, More Experiences


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



A Game-Changer in Travel and Hospitality Loyalty Programs

Emirates Skywards and Accor’s ALL (Accor Live Limitless) loyalty program have unveiled an enhanced partnership, taking their members’ travel and hospitality experiences to new heights. This development allows members to seamlessly convert their rewards between the two programs, offering more flexibility, value, and exclusive experiences.






Maximizing Loyalty: Seamless Points Conversion

With this new integration, Emirates Skywards members can now convert their Skywards Miles into ALL Reward Points at a ratio of 4,000 Miles to 1,000 ALL Points. These points can be used for hotel stays at Accor’s extensive network of over 5,600 hotels across 110 countries, including top-tier brands such as:


Raffles

Fairmont

Sofitel

Novotel

Ibis Styles

Conversely, ALL members can convert 4,000 ALL Reward Points into 2,000 Skywards Miles, which can be redeemed for:


Flights on Emirates and partner airlines

Seat upgrades

Exclusive experiences at sporting and cultural events

This two-way conversion system gives members unparalleled access to world-class travel and hospitality perks.


A Stronger Partnership for Global Travelers

This partnership is not just about accumulating points—it’s about creating unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s a luxury stay at a Sofitel in Paris, a beachfront retreat in Bali, or a business trip to Dubai, travelers can now integrate their flights and accommodations effortlessly.


Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates Skywards, emphasized:


“We’re constantly exploring new ways to help our members maximize the value of every Skywards Mile earned and redeemed. This enhanced partnership with ALL will offer exactly that—exceptional hotel stays, limitless experiences, and more.”


Mehdi Hemici, Chief Loyalty and Ecommerce Officer at Accor, echoed the sentiment:


“Our members will have the ability to easily earn and redeem their Points and Miles, unlocking an exciting range of opportunities in new destinations where Emirates operates. This partnership will take membership to the next level.”


Why This Matters for Filipino Travelers

Filipino travelers, both for business and leisure, stand to benefit significantly from this partnership. Many are already frequent flyers with Emirates and loyal guests at Accor properties such as:


Fairmont and Raffles Makati

Novotel Manila Araneta City

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila


With more seamless travel experiences, Filipino members can now enjoy better rewards, whether they’re traveling within the Philippines or internationally.


How to Take Advantage of This Partnership

Sign up for BOTH Emirates Skywards and Accor ALL loyalty programs (if not already a member).

Start earning points and miles by booking flights, hotel stays, and using partner services.

Convert points between programs to maximize benefits for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and exclusive experiences.

This expanded partnership between Emirates Skywards and ALL marks a new era for travel loyalty programs, making premium travel and hospitality more rewarding than ever.


For more details and to sign up, visit Emirates Skywards and ALL Accor.

Busted! Politicians Caught Killing Trees for Campaigns—Are They Breaking the Law?


Wazzup Pilipinas!?



As the 2025 midterm election campaign gains momentum in the Philippines, environmental advocates are urging candidates to conduct their campaigns responsibly, emphasizing the importance of protecting trees from the detrimental effects of improperly placed campaign materials.


The EcoWaste Coalition and the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) have jointly called on political aspirants to refrain from affixing posters, banners, and other promotional materials to trees. They highlight that such actions not only harm the environment but also violate existing laws.


Trees offer numerous benefits, including supporting wildlife, providing food, purifying the air, preventing soil erosion, conserving water, mitigating flooding, and absorbing greenhouse gases. Attaching campaign materials to trees can cause physical damage, making them susceptible to insects and diseases, potentially leading to decay and death. Atty. Mark Peñalver, Executive Director of IDIS, emphasized, "Harm not the trees. Nurture and protect them instead."




Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, added, "As the election campaign goes full blast, we ask all candidates and their supporters to abide by ecological and legal practices and save our trees and the environment as a whole from abuse and disrespect."


The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has clear guidelines regarding the placement of campaign materials. According to COMELEC Resolution No. 11111, "posting of campaign materials on planted or growing trees... shall be strictly prohibited." Violations can result in imprisonment, fines, and, for public officers or employees, dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.


In line with these regulations, COMELEC has initiated "Operation Baklas," a nationwide campaign to remove illegally posted campaign materials. COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia warned candidates that failure to remove such materials within three days could lead to charges of election offenses and potential disqualification. 


Environmental groups are also advocating for the use of eco-friendly campaign materials. They encourage candidates to choose recyclable and reusable non-toxic materials, reduce the consumption of single-use plastics, and manage campaign waste responsibly. The EcoWaste Coalition and IDIS urge adherence to the "Guidelines on the Use of Environmentally Sustainable Election Propaganda" as outlined in COMELEC Resolution No. 11111.


COMELEC has also appealed to aspirants to use biodegradable materials during their campaigns to help protect the environment. Chairman Garcia stated, "We want to protect the environment even during the campaign season. Don’t use non-biodegradable materials, such as plastics or tarpaulin. As much as possible, use only biodegradable materials, those that we can dissolve or use again." 


The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been active in this regard as well. In a previous campaign, the DENR removed over 114,000 campaign materials posted on trees, underscoring the government's commitment to enforcing environmental laws during election periods. 


As the campaign season progresses, it is imperative for candidates and their supporters to recognize the environmental impact of their activities. By adhering to legal guidelines and embracing eco-friendly practices, they can contribute to a healthier environment and demonstrate genuine leadership in environmental stewardship.

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