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Tourism Chief receives 2025 Mabuhay Gold Award

Lifestyle, Tourism / Health / Street Journal

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco was hailed as this year’s Mabuhay Gold Awardee by the Association of Human Resources Managers in the Hospitality Industry (AHRM), the highest distinction accorded to a Filipino leader who contributes to the growth and strengthening of the country’s hospitality sector, during its 28th Mabuhay Gold Awards at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City on Friday, November 14. In her acceptance speech, Secretary Frasco honors the Filipino tourism and hospitality industry’s commitment to ensuring that those who bring the warmth of the Philippines to the world are protected, empowered, and never left behind. “My work in tourism has always been guided by a simple belief: that the Philippines is greater when we stand together, government, industry, and community, moving with the same purpose to uplift our people. Every program we launch, every worker we support, every destination we uplift is an act of generosity and care toward our people, a step toward a Philippines that thrives not for one person, but for all,” the Tourism Chief said. “Our islands are beautiful, but it is our values that make the Philippines unforgettable: our resilience, our generosity, our instinct to help, our refusal to lose hope, and the grace with which we meet one another in times of challenge,” she added. Secretary Frasco proudly shared that the DOT, through its Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE), continues to boost the country’s tourism industry by raising service standards nationwide. With 7,000 FBSE training sessions conducted, more than 380,000 stakeholders across the country have benefited. This year alone, the DOT trained over 111,000 tourism workers, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and heart that make Filipino service stand out. Dubbed the Philippine hospitality industry’s “Oscars,” the annual Mabuhay Awards, honors hospitality heroes in categories such as the Rank & File (Heart of the House), Rank & File (Front of the House), Supervisor Winner, HR Leader of the Year, and Mabuhay Gold Awardee, who brings the ‘Mabuhay Spirit’ to a more competitive and internationally recognized tourism industry.

Baguio to get P1.6B infra projects in 2026 budget

Baguio City

Baguio City / Street Journal

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – More than P1.6 billion will be earmarked by the public works department for various horizontal and vertical projects in the city under the approved House version of the P6.79 trillion national budget next year. Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan said that more than P1.047 billion will be allocated for various horizontal projects while more than P371 million will be used for the put up of several school buildings in the city by next year once the same will not be amended in the Senate. Further, he claimed that his office was able to work out that the P150 million that was earlier earmarked for flood-related projects in the city will instead be used for various vertical projects in the different parts of the city so that the funds will not be diverted to other projects outside the city. Domogan pointed out that the decision to divert the funds allocated for flood-related projects to important vertical projects such as school buildings is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to scrap some P255 billion that had been programmed for flood control projects around the country under the proposed 2026 annual budget. According to him, part of his job as a lawmaker is to see to it that Baguio will be able to be getting its equitable share from the government’s limited resources being allocated for priority development projects around the country. However, he stipulated that the list of the funded projects cannot yet be released because the approved House version of the annual budget is still being deliberated in the Senate and will undergo the bicameral conference committee in the coming weeks to synchronize conflicting provisions before being transmitted to the Office of the President for signature to enact the 2026 annual budget. The lawmaker pointed out that the final list of approved projects will only be available after the President has signed the annual budget approved in both chambers of Congress into law. The President targets to sign the approved annual budget for 2026 before the end of the year to avoid the implementation of a re-enacted budget. (Baguio PIO)

Governor Guico announces release of Year-end Bonus and Cash Gift

Region 1

Region 1 / Street Journal

Lingayen, Pangasinan , Philippines — The provincial government of Pangasinan has released the year-end bonus equivalent to one month’s salary and a cash gift of ₱5,000 to permanent and casual employees, including those with temporary and co-terminus status, of various offices and hospitals, following Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s announcement in a video message recently. The release of the benefits aims to provide a boost to the employees’ morale and financial well-being as they celebrate the holiday season. The governor expressed his gratitude to the employees for their hard work and dedication to serving the people of Pangasinan. The year-end bonus and cash gift are expected to benefit thousands of employees across the province, bringing joy and cheer to their families. The provincial government remains committed to supporting its employees and recognizing their contributions to the province’s development. The provincial government assures that Job Order/Contract of Service workers will also receive their share in the form of gratuity pay or financial assistance. Those who have rendered a total or an aggregate of less than four (4) months of service from January 1 to October 31 of the current year and are still in the government service as of October 31 of the same year, shall be entitled to a pro-rated Cash Gift pursuant to Section 2 of RA 8441. According to HRMDO records, there are a total of 7,110 employees assigned in various offices and hospitals, with 3,653 being permanent and casual employees, and 3,083 Job Orders. (Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO)

75th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf tournament starts on Nov.25

Sports

Sports / Street Journal

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The 75th edition of the Fil-Am Invitational Golf tournament to be held at the Baguio Country Club (BCC) and Camp John Hay (CJH) fairways will starts on November 25 to December 13, 2025. The 129 participating teams of the senior’s division and lower flights of the regular division will be seeing action, while the second week, which will be on December 4-13, 2025, will be for the higher flights of the regular division to play in both courses. The practice rounds for the senior’s division will be on November 25-27, 2025 which will be followed by the formal tee off at around 4 pm of November 27, 2025 while the practice rounds for the regular division will be on December 5-7, 2025 which will also be followed by the tee off at around 4 pm of December 7, 2025. The number of participating teams in the longest running amateur golf tournament in the Asia-Pacific region increased to 301 teams for this year where the participating golfers also reached record breaking figures at around 1,500. Some 129 teams composed of more than 634 golfers are set to compete in the senior’s division while some 179 teams composed of more than 800 players will be participating in the highly competitive regular division. The adoption of a new format, 4 to play, 4 to count, paved the way for organizers to accommodate some 40 additional teams to significantly reduce the number of teams that are in the waiting list annually. Last year, some 260 teams composed of some 1,430 golfers jointed the two-week golf competition which is being usually held at both the BCC and CJH fairways. (PR)

SBMA cited for paperless initiatives

Region 3

Region 3 / Street Journal

Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was given a Special Citation and Certificate of Recognition from the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for implementing the Document Management System: A Paperless Solution for Collaboration. SBMA Office Services Department (OSD) OIC Manager Jaime Menor, Jr. received the citation from DAP President and CEO Leocadio S. Sebastian during the 2025 Powering Productivity event held at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City on November 11, 2025. The citation recognizes the SBMA’s effort to save one million sheets of paper by digitizing document routing and inter-office communication across its 46 offices. The SBMA implemented the DMS in its bid as one of more active paperless government agencies in the country. With the theme “Powering Productivity: Unlocking Ideas, Enabling Innovation,” the 2025 Powering Productivity event served as the culminating activity of two initiatives of the DAP Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity, which champions innovation and productivity among the youth and public-sector partners. The program featured pitching competitions to showcase creative and impactful solutions developed by students, including an awarding ceremony to recognize outstanding participants and entries from the 2025 Productivity Challenge. The event highlighted the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and the collective commitment to drive productivity growth in the Philippines.

Vizcayano educator wins big in Chennai, collects four Asia Masters Golds

Sports

Sports / Street Journal

By RachelMagday Brenda Ramos Zinampan, a 47-year-old high school teacher and athletics coach from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, captured four gold medals in the Women’s 45+ category at the 23rd Asia Masters Athletics Championships held November 5–10, 2025 in Chennai, India. Zinampan topped the field in the 400-meter hurdles, 100-meter dash, 80-meter hurdles and pole vault, overcoming lingering injuries to her ankle and back to deliver the sweep for Team Philippines. She said she carried “a fighting heart and the Filipino spirit” to India and credited the encouragement of her family, teammates and the Filipino public for keeping her going. Zinampan’s latest success builds on strong recent performances. In 2023 she emerged victorious at the 22nd Asia Masters Athletics Championship, held November 8–12 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, where she won two golds and three silvers. In a previous interview, she recalled competing in the Palarong Pambansa and representing Nueva Vizcaya in the Cagayan Valley Regional Athletic Association (CAVRAA) Meet in high school, but she stepped away to prioritize finishing college and never imagined she would fulfill that athletic dream later in life. Her 2025 season also includes a bronze in the pentathlon at the World Masters Athletics Championship in Gainesville, Florida, and she was a silver medalist at the Palarong Pambansa in 1995. Zinampan teaches and coaches at Bascaran National High School in Solano and trains in the afternoons and evenings because of her school schedule. She urged fellow masters and senior athletes to prioritize health and fitness and to keep pursuing their dreams, stressing that medals and podiums are secondary to well‑being and the power to inspire others. She also expressed heartfelt thanks to her family, teammates and everyone who supported her journey to the 23rd AMAC.

DOT-CAR participates in the 16th Regional Travel Fair

Region 4, Tourism / Health

Region 4, Tourism / Health / Street Journal

PALAWAN, Philippines — The Department of Tourism–Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) proudly presents the region’s unique destinations and cultural treasures at the 16th Regional Travel Fair (RTF) of the Tourism Promotions Board at Robinsons Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The fair opened on November 15, 2025, inviting visitors to explore a wide array of travel opportunities across the Philippines and discover new getaway options for the coming year. The Opening Ceremony featured messages from TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Nograles, represented by Chief Cesar R. Villanueva; Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron, represented by City Councilor Patrick Hagedorn; Palawan Governor Amy Roa Alvarez, represented by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member Roseller S. Pineda; and DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, represented by Undersecretary Ferdinand C. Jumapao. Their presence, along with other officials and stakeholders, highlighted the strong collaboration between national, regional, and local tourism. On November 14, 2025, a Business-to-Business (B2B) session brought together regional offices and tourism operators from across the country for networking and collaboration. The CAR delegation includes Jammer Travel and Tours OPC with their special tour package offerings. The travel fair runs until November 16, 2025, and we invite you to visit the DOT-CAR booth and Find Yourself in the Cordilleras by availing of our local tour packages and learning about the best the region has to offer.

United States Military Deploys Foreign Disaster Relief Support for the Philippine Response to Successive Storms

Region 3

Region 3 / Street Journal

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines—At the request of the government of the Philippines, the U.S. military is working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief to communities affected by consecutive Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitated a rapid and effective response to these natural disasters, demonstrating the U.S. commitment as friends, allies, and partners during times of need. Working in close coordination with the AFP, Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Philippine Office of Civil Defense, Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group, Task Force – Philippines, and U.S. Department of State, the U.S military deployed a variety of assets and personnel to the Philippines to support with foreign disaster relief operations. “I have been thoroughly impressed by the preparedness and forward-leaning measures taken by the Philippine government during this situation, and we will support the lead of our Philippine counterparts as we carry out this relief mission together as a fully-aligned team,” said U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie, the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade commanding general. “Support to our friends, allies, and partners, and their people in a time of need, is non-negotiable. Together, we are overcoming distance, weather, and logistical challenges to save lives.” Since Nov. 5, 2025, the U.S. military has coordinated mission planning with the Philippine government and military agencies to continue the work of providing vital supplies to regions impacted by the storm. This effort highlights the long-standing U.S.-Philippine Alliance and the shared commitment to regional resilience and humanitarian assistance.

SYMPATHY

CAR

CAR / Street Journal

Benguet Representative Eric Go Yap extends his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families of the residents in Buguias and Kabayan who perished following landslides caused by Typhoon ‘Uwan’s heavy rainfall. The Congressman’s office is also currently coordinating relief and assistance efforts for the affected communities.

Author name: Street Journal