Integrality and Positivity Inc. holds 7th Positivity Congress

Quezon City, Philippines – Integrality and Positivity Inc. successfully held its 7th Positivity Congress at One Castilla Place here on February 17.

Attended by 13 participants from various provinces and Metro Manila, this year’s congress aims to spread positive psychology tools so that each individual and organization embraces a culture of integrality positivity and where wholeness and well being are within reach for all.

“We believe that through positive psychology tools and solutions, people can move or tend towards wholeness and well-being and we can all build a culture of integrality and positivity,” Dr. Cristine Margaret Atienza, CEO of Integrality and Positivity said in an interview.

“Here in the Philippines, it can make people more open to taking care of their mental health, their well-being and in the ordinary day-to-day activities. We want wholeness and well-being, positive psychology to be accessible to more people.”

Since it was founded in 2012, Integrality and Positivity, Inc. have already served over 25,000 individuals and more than 100 organizations nationwide.

Atienza delivered a series of lecture discussions in the congress about positive psychology. She also facilitated group activities that would allow them to use various positivity tools in their daily lives.

She made use of the acrononym PERMA to characterize the science of positive psychology and well-being to the participants.

PERMA stands for positive emotion, engangement, relationship, meaning and achievement.

Throughout the congress, it was repeatedly stressed that while people have no control over the circumstances, they should focus on the things they can control which includes the power to choose the way they would react to what happens to their lives.

The importance about unrandomizing positive emotions was also tackled specifically that of choosing to be mindful and savoring the moment.

Among the many techniques to bring out positive emotion include regularly practicing gratitude and letting go of the life’s shoulds.

The participants also learned other positivity techniques such as mindfulness photography. This could enable them to empty their brains and savor the present moment that is necessary in order to build the mind’s healthy habits. The importance of building positive relationships with compassion and empathy as the key ingredients were also discussed. Also tackled were the various pathways to meaning in life.

This includes among others the creative values or what we give to the world; experiential values or what we get from the world and the attitudinal values or how we respond to the world. Wellbeing is also about cultivating the so-called gift, grace and growth mindset namely recognizing one’s life and who a person is and his strength as a gift; seeing grace at work to inspire andd sustain oneself through a journey and embracing vulnerabilities as opportunities for growth.

“It’s refreshing and inspiring. Actually I’ve heard about them before but it’s good to hear them again from time to time because I work in school and so I need to equip myself first before I help other people. I cant give them what I don’t have, charging myself with all these things so that I can truly help others,” says participant Lea.

Jessleen, a 21-year-old psychology student says: “Since it was my first time to attend positive psychology seminar, I can say this is enlightening. I feel nervous but at the same time exciting because I was able to meet different ages, (people from) different jobs.”

“..As I hear from their experiences, I can connect the dots and I try to connect them with myself. Although we’re different, I understood my connection with them.”

Meanwhile, Mowel Fund independent film maker Fred Rebadulla II recognizes the value of positive psychology among Filipinos from all walks of life in the post-pandemic world.

“Everything was made possible through an instant, practicable, fun learning experience, in a tried and tested approach. So I wish I could impart this to many (people) likewise,” he said.

P1 million fine for drunk driving eyed in Senate

Manila, Philippines – A bill seeking tougher penalties that includes a P1 million fine for motor vehicle drivers found under the influence of alcohol.

Despite the passage of Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, Tulfo stressed that drunk driving has been increasingly rampant through the years.

he Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) Law Enforcement Service-Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Enforcement Unit responded to 402 road crash incidents from January to August 2022, wherein 353 of those drivers involved in these incidents tested positive for alcohol intoxication.

He also cited report of the PNP Highway Patrol Group that the number of road accidents caused by drunk drivers rose from 59 incidents or at least 90 percent increase in November of 2022 compared to the 31 incidents recorded in October of the same year.

Senate Bill 2546 filed by Tulfo on Tuesday wants to increase the penalty from P500,000 to P1 million if the violation resulted in homicide.

Existing penalties under RA 10586 ranges from P300,000 to P500,000.

The bill also mandates that driver’s license shall be confiscated andd suspended for a period of 24 months.

“There is an urgent need to pass legislation that calls for stricter penalties on driving under the influence. No one should ever experience the pain and suffering felt by the Palupit family, and all the other families victimized by one person’s poor decisions,” Tulfo said.

DOXA Talent: Redefining the BPO landscape with their VIPs and white glove approach

DOXA Talent, a leading offshoring solutions provider, is redefining the business process outsourcing (BPO) landscape in the Philippines with its VIPs (employees) and white glove approach.

As job shortages continue to affect skilled talents in the country, outsourcing has become a valuable opportunity for Filipinos to showcase their skills without having to leave their home country.

Outsourcing talent offers various benefits for small and medium-scale businesses, including lower labor costs, increased productivity, and access to a large pool of skilled workers. Filipino employees are known for their openness to new opportunities outside their roles, making them ideal candidates for offshore talent teams. They embrace a flexible career mindset in an ever-evolving industry.

The demand for talent is expected to reach its peak at 85 million people by 2030, and currently, 77% of companies worldwide struggle to find the right talents. The pandemic has forced the workforce landscape to restructure, shifting from onsite to remote and hybrid work setups. This shift has opened up more opportunities for businesses to outsource employees globally, with companies investing in offshore talents to bridge the employment gap.

In 2023, there was an upward trajectory with 83% of small businesses investing in outsourced services, and this trend is expected to continue in 2024. This demographic shift in the workforce, with more offshore talents helping businesses thrive, is providing a tailwind to the BPO industry, according to David Nilssen, CEO of DOXA Talent.

DOXA Talent has extensive experience in helping companies expand their businesses and build global teams across multiple continents. Currently, the company has 750 employees working remotely in the Philippines and aims to double its workforce this year.

In contrast to the industry standard attrition rate of 50%, DOXA Talent achieved a rate of 22% last year, which they consider to be good and they aim to get better.

“We believe if we pay people very well, we allow them to work in a remote environment so they can be with their family and closer to their communities. If they are provided with a great enhanced benefits like healthcare and also investing in their development, they’re more likely to stay,” Nilssen said.

DOXA’s completely remote environment allows its employees to work from any province while earning a Manila salary. This not only saves an average of 21 days a year in commute time but is also environmentally friendly. DOXA is committed to uplifting global communities by creating meaningful work, and one of their community service projects focuses on planting new trees in the Philippines.

DOXA’s unique category in the offshoring industry is attributed to its focus on serving small to medium-sized businesses and providing white-glove service. As the BPO industry continues its rapid growth trajectory, with an increasing number of small businesses opting for offshoring, DOXA is strategically positioned to help these businesses thrive in this ever-changing market segment.

To further fuel its growth and efficiency, DOXA plans to introduce cutting-edge AI technology and open new acquisition channels. This forward-thinking approach not only improves the quality of life for its employees but also drives economic growth in the Philippines.

DOXA recently organized a three-day conference called DOXACon, held at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City. The conference showcased DOXA’s thought leadership, customer-friendly practices, and world-class employee experience through learning sessions and activities. The event brought together clients from the United States, DOXA’s global leadership team, and its VIPs (employees). The conference featured curated speakers discussing relevant topics, including the unveiling of their proprietary AI recruiting tool. Additionally, there were opportunities for media engagement and discussions on DOXA’s ongoing plans and projects in the country. The conference concluded with an Amazing Race tech event and a tropical-themed holiday party.

As global leaders, DOXA understands the importance of having a borderless mindset and driving offshore talent. The Philippines, with its skillful offshore talents, presents an opportunity to transform the way work is done and lead partners to success. DOXA aims to help both employees and businesses compete in the global world by harnessing the talent available in the Philippines.

Palawan, 4th most trending destination

Manila, Philippines – Palawan has made it to the top four of the Tripadvisor’s annual Traveler’s Choice Award Best of the Best.

The island province ranked just behind Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea and Halong Bay, Vietnam.

The travel platform characterized Palawan as “a slice of heaven, a sliver of an island that teems with exotic wildlife, quaint fishing villages, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.”

The Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary as well as the Japanese shipwrecks of Coron Island was “regarded as one of the best dive sites in the world,” and the Puerto Princesa Underground River as a must-visit destination on the island.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that this latest recognition from Tripadvisor is “a testament to the island’s timeless allure.”
Known for its pristine, crystal clear waters, lush tropical landscapes, and idyllic white-sand beaches.

Palawan has long been lauded for its responsible and sustainable tourism practices while preserving its natural heritage and biodiversity.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of Palawan’s tourist destination, was included in the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012 alongside the Amazon Rainforest in South America. (Marlon Luistro)

Clark International Airport among the list of World’s Most Beautiful Airports

photo by BCDA

Because of its exceptional architecture and design, Clark International Airport (CRK) was listed as one of the most beautiful airports in the world by the prestigious Prix Versailles, the World Architecture and Design Award at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Twenty-four airports from around the world are on the list. Only Clark Airport was included from Southeast Asia.
Airport operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) President and CEO Noel Manankil says: “It is an immense honor to be recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful airports and we are truly humbled by this. It also inspires us to keep on giving Filipinos what they truly deserve, a world-class airport.”
The “World’s Most Beautiful” recognition of achievements, granted by the Prix Versailles emphasizes the key role of the Laureates in beautifying and improving the living environment.
Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the best contemporary projects around the world.
Other airports included in the list are Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Chile, Beijing Daxing International Airport in China, Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in China, Eagle County Regional Airport in the United States, Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Greece, General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport in Mexico, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland, Kempegowda International Airport in India, LaGuardia Airport in the United States, Los Angeles International Airport in the United States, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in the United States, Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom. Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco, New Plymouth Airport in New Zealand, Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport in China, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the United States, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in China, Split Airport in Croatia, Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport in Greece, Turkistan International Airport in Turkistan and Van Don International Airport in Vietnam, respectively.

Priest arrested for offending religious feelings

Ang pangungutya umano ng pari sa aparisyon ng Our Lady Mary Mediatrix of All Grace sa Lipa City ang
naging ugat ng kasong Offending Religious Feelings na isinampa sa kanya ni dating Comelec chair Harriet Demetriou, na isang Marian devotee. (Larawan mula kay shenvivogelera)

Nasugbu, Batangas – Detectives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have arrested on May 13 a 57-year-old priest who is wanted for violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code or Offending Religious Feelings.

The accused identified as Winston Fernandez Cabading, parish priest of the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism, was arrested at around 10:10 pm in St. Mary Magdalene House, Caleruega Road, Batulao in Barangay Kaylaway.

He was arrested by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest (WOA) issued by Hon. Madonna Concordia Echiverri, Presiding Judge of RTC, Branch 81, Quezon City, dated May 8, 2023, with Php18,000 recommended bail.

The priest was charged after former Commission on Elections chief Harriet Demetriou filed a complaint against him before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office after he allegedly mocked the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at a conference in Lipa City, Batangas.

Cabading is Archdiocese of Manila’s exorcist and is an instructor of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Sacred Theology.

Demetriou, also a former Sandiganbayan Justice is a devotee of Our Lady Mary Mediatrix of All Grace and has alleged Cabading of being Mary’s “rabid critic.”

Demetriou’s Facebook post said Cabading was charged of violating Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code that carrries a penalty of up to two years imprisonment.

In her complaint, Demetriou, also a retired judge said that the “Mediatrix of All Grace is a Marian apparition that took place in the Carmelite Monastery of Lipa, Batangas sometime in 1948.”

“As a devotee of Our Lady, Mary, Mediatrix of all Grace and a lawyer, I believe that it is the duty of the state to safeguard my religious freedom,” the complainant said.

She chided Cabading’s claims that there exists a 1951 Lipa Diocesan Verdict that “negated the authenticity of the 1948 apparition of Our Lady, Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.”

PAG-ASA raises El Nino Alert; warns below normal rainfall may start in June

Manila, Philippines  – State weather bureau PAGASA on Tuesday issued an El Niño alert, saying the weather phenomenon characterized by below-normal rainfall may emerge in the coming season specifically in the months of June, July and August.

“Recent conditions and model forecasts indicate that El Niño may emerge in the coming season (June-July-August) at 80% probability and may persist until the first quarter of 2024,” PAGASA said.

“With this development, the PAGASA El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Alert and Warning System is now raised to EL NIÑO ALERT.”

The weather bureau said that El Nino increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts such as dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country.

But PAG-ASA said that “above-normal rainfall conditions during the Southwest monsoon season (Habagat) may also be expected” over the western part of the country.

PAGASA advised concerned government agencies and the general public to continue monitoring and take precautionary measures against the impending impacts of El Niño.

The weather bureau earlier warned that the El Niño phenomenon may impact Mindanao the most, due to the relatively higher amount of water being lost during the period.

Iloilo City’s No.5 Most Wanted falls in Batangas

San Juan, Batangas – Police authorities have arrested in a manhunt operation here on Thursday a woman here who went into hiding and is Iloilo City’s Number 5 Most Wanted for the crime of estafa and illegal recruitment.

P/Col. Pedro Soliba, Batangas police director, identified the suspect as Edlen Teoc, 40, married, housemaid who presently resides in San Juan.

Police reports said that the suspect was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 6, Iloilo City last March 10, 2023 for the case of estafa, with recommended bail of P18,000.

A warrant of arret was also issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 23, also in Iloilo City last January 30, 2023 for the case of illegal recruitment in relation to Republic Act 10022, with no recommended bail.

As the writer prepares this report, the suspect is presently under the custody of the Batangas provincial police office.

Senator urges gov’t crackdown on ‘scam’ call centers

Manila, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday has called on government agencies to track down “scam call centers” employing foreigners trafficked into the country.

The lady lawmaker renewed the call after an Indonesian national sought her help after he was duped to work in the country to scam his fellow Indonesians.

“Sadly, right under our very noses, the Philippines is hosting its very own scam hubs,” Hontiveros said in the opening of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality hearing.

The two-term senator said large condominium buildings are being repurposed as living and working facilities for those trafficked persons forced to perform scams on hapless victims.

She added that these trafficked persons, who are now by the thousands, came from Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, countries in Africa and countries in South Asia.

Last year, Hontiveros bared a large-scale human trafficking operation that targeted Filipinos looking for jobs abroad. The OFWs were then forced to work as scammers in Myanmar and Cambodia.

“A humanitarian crisis is taking shape. A mass of desperate humanity. Human beings of the world are being hurt, abused and used in order to perpetrate fraud. Nananakit ng kapwa para manloko ng kapwa,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

Ridwan (not his real name), an Indonesian national, said at the hearing he applied to work in the Philippines as a digital marketer and discovered later that the job was to scam fellow Indonesians to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.

Ridwan arrived in the country on March 7. He said he was greeted by an escort who helped him and two other Indonesians seamlessly pass through the Bureau of Quarantine and the Philippine immigration counters. They were later brought to Bayport West NAIA Garden Residence.

“We were instructed to steal the identities of other people to scam targets. Our targets are our fellow Indonesians. We find them on Tinder, Facebook, and Instagram. After our targets fall in love with us, we make them invest in cryptocurrency. When we do not get victims, we will get punished,” he told the committee.

Ridwan said fellow workers were electrocuted and punished severely when they failed to do their jobs.

He added that he wanted to leave immediately, but he was asked to pay the PHP100,000 that the company spent to bring him to the Philippines. He left the premises on March 13.

Hontiveros stressed, “It is frightening that these criminal activities have been made easy by social media platforms. But it is even more frightening to hear how effortless foreigners can get into the country, with the aid of unscrupulous airport or immigration officials. This is a serious national security concern that we must urgently address. We cannot allow these syndicates to turn our country into outlaw territory.”

 

DFA: 86 Filipinos seeks to leave Sudan as clashes intensify

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday that at least 86 Filipinos so far have sought repatriation out of Sudan.

This came after violent armed clashes between Sudanese forces continue in Khartoum.

In a text message to Philippine News Agency, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said that the Honorary Consulate in Khartoum is coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Cairo, which holds jurisdiction over Filipinos in Sudan, to safely extract the 86.

The official said the DFA would fund the repatriation.

“The embassy is finding ways because it is impossible to fly out of Sudan and they would have to use land transportation since all airports are closed),” he said speaking in Filipino in a separate television interview Thursday.

“The challenge here is that the land travel from Khartoum to Egypt would take nine hour, but that’s the only way possible at present,” he added.

De Vega said the embassy is also verifying the report that one Filipino has been hit by a stray bullet and has reportedly recovered.

He told that there are more than 400 Filipinos currently living in Sudan.

The crisis started with armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), loyal to the head of the military government, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the capital Khartoum on April 15, with the latter claiming it had taken control of the Khartoum International Airport, Merowe Airport, Al-Obeid Airport and the presidential palace.

The RSF is an independent Sudanese military force that grew out of the Janjaweed militia that fought in a conflict in the Darfur region.

The United Nations said it has been involved in talks aimed at a transition from the military rule in place since the 2021 military coup to a civilian government.

The World Health Organization reported that since the fighting began, about 300 people have been killed and over 3,000 injured.