Friday, March 18, 2022

Treat yourself to Paradise without burning a hole in your pocket at Microtel Boracay March 17, 2022 at 06:26AM

Out of Town Blog
Treat yourself to Paradise without burning a hole in your pocket at Microtel Boracay

Microtel by Wyndham Boracay

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – For the past two years, people have been cooped up in homes and are more determined to make a quick getaway to rejuvenate, but finding a slice of paradise without having to shell out so much can be quite the challenge.

At Microtel Boracay, fully vaccinated tourists are treated to the premium Boracay experience at an affordable price. We’re giving you the lowdown on one of the island’s hidden gems:

Paradise right in front of your door-step

Quietly situated in Diniwid Beach, North of Station 1, Microtel Boracay has its own beach perfect for guests who want to stay away from the crowd while still being accessible to the main White Beach. With no other hotels in its immediate vicinity, Microtel Boracay has just the perfect quiet spot to get that sun-kissed tan. The inviting pool fronting the beach is a huge plus for those who want to relax and get the beach vibe minus the sand and waves.

Mama’s Fish House

Search for must-try restaurants on the island and Mama’s Fish House in Microtel Boracay will surely come up. It’s one of the most sought-after food establishments that has, time and again, attracted tourists and locals alike. Even guests from Microtel’s more upscale neighbors make the trip down just to get a taste of its well-executed menu. From Chili Pepper Calamares, Lemon Pepper Mahi-Mahi to their Chicken Parmigiana, Mama’s Fish House has everything that the stomach can ever want. They also have a mean selection of cocktails that guests can enjoy, best paired with the House Fish and Chips, while enjoying an unobstructed view of the Boracay seas!

Spacious rooms perfect for family and friends

Microtel Queen Beds Room - Beach View Boracay — Microtel Queen Beds Room – Beach View Boracay

Going to visit with your partner, family, or with a big group of friends? No problem! Microtel Boracay offers different rooms for different groups. Microtel even has a suite that includes a kitchenette! If it is a work-from-anywhere kind of situation, fret not as the property has many wi-fi-enabled areas where guests can set up workspaces.

No need to worry, Microtel will ensure your safety!

Traveling can still be pretty scary with the uncertainty of the virus but don’t be afraid as Microtel is more than ready to serve its guests. All employees have been vaccinated and they strictly implement the government-mandated health and safety protocols. As long as you’re adhering to the protocols yourself, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the vacation.

Experience a Hassle-Free Booking

There’s definitely more to the island than lazing around its pristine white sand beaches, and Microtel Boracay can arrange a wide range of experiences to make your stay even more enjoyable. From sunset cruises to snorkeling, water sports, and island tours, just let Microtel know what you feel like doing and they will take care of the rest.

These are just a number of points that Microtel Boracay has to offer and they are more than ready to help in creating exciting memories and provide the ideal rejuvenation stay. Follow MicrotelBoracay on Instagram to keep updated on their latest promos and don’t miss out on experiencing the white sandy beaches of Boracay and book your reservations now at https://www.microtel-boracay.com/.

Microtel by Wyndham Boracay
Located in: Diniwid Beach
Address: Diniwid Beach Rd, Malay, 5608 Aklan
Phone: (036) 288 4311

Click here for more photos, reviews, rates, and availability

Read:

Original article: Treat yourself to Paradise without burning a hole in your pocket at Microtel Boracay

Treat yourself to Paradise without burning a hole in your pocket at Microtel Boracay
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Sibol begins its Lakad Matatag to 31st SEA Games in Hanoi March 17, 2022 at 06:03AM

Out of Town Blog
Sibol begins its Lakad Matatag to 31st SEA Games in Hanoi

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Philippine national esports team, Sibol, officially kicks off its campaign en route to the 31st SEA Games set to take place in Hanoi from May 12 to May 23, 2022.

After weeks of tryouts, Sibol completed its roster last February 2022 with a total of 55 athletes and 9 coaches vying for the gold slate at the upcoming biennial regional sports event. Powered by Smart, Sibol debuted in the 30th SEA Games and has since then secured other major sponsors including PLDT, TV5, Cignal, and Realme as of this writing.

In a press briefing hosted by the Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO), the team unveiled its new logo, a first look at the official jersey, and its slogan, “Lakad Matatag.” This battle cry was taken from PeSO Executive Director Marlon “Lon” Marcelo’s globally famous caster call from a Dota2 match.

PeSO is the country’s national governing body for esports. It has been a member of the International Esports Federation (IESF) since 2012 and an associate member of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) since 2020.

PeSO also gave a sneak peek at the athlete roster during the press briefing. In attendance were Kristoffer Ed L. Ricaplaza – MLBB World Champion Coach, Christine Ray Roque Natividad – Wildrift No.1 Female team SEA, Angel Danica Quiros Lozada – Wildrift No.1 Female Team SEA, Dennis O. Ramos Jr. – CrossFire FPS game, Ralph Andrei M. Llabres – SIBOL Overall Head Coach, and Jabs Escutin – Sibol General Manager.

Sibol is set to introduce its complete team within the next few weeks who will be competing in all 10 esports events at the 31st SEA Games: League of Legends, FIFA 4, CrossFire, Arena of Valor, Garena Free Fire, Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB), League of Legends: Wild Rift, and PUBG. The first batch of delegates is scheduled to fly to Hanoi on the week of May 9, 2022.

“We’re extremely proud to support a talented and passionate team who has been training relentlessly to represent our country to the best of their abilities. We are confident that Sibol will continue to put the Philippines on the global esports map and prove that Filipinos can dominate in this arena,” says Jane Basas, PeSO board member and SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

Currently, the 64-strong Sibol team is training at the Brenn Esports Facility in Makati, which is funded by Smart.

Marcelo adds that PeSO, together with its sponsors are working on a lineup of activities for the delegation to give local and international esports fans an opportunity to get to know them leading to the competitions.

Bringing in an all-new Sibol delegation, featuring an all-female team and twin athletes

Sibol will be debuting its first all-female team for League of Legends: Wild Rift at the 31st SEA Games, alongside the first-ever twin male athletes who will be competing individually for Wild Rift.

With the exception of Jabs Escutin, the 2019 MLBB manager who brought home the gold medal, the roster comprises fresh faces from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

“Each athlete from the new Sibol team proved that they are at the top of their game when we conducted the nationwide search. The team hails from different backgrounds and ages all united by one shared goal of winning big at the upcoming international events,” says Escutin.

Escutin also adds that they are grateful to be backed by their sponsors – Smart, PLDT, Realme, TV5, and Cignal who will join them in their Lakad Matatag journey.

Realme will be sponsoring all 64 delegates with a smartphone for their official use.

Making firsts in PH esports history at international sports events

Sibol first made history for winning 5 medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) dominating Dota 2, Starcraft II, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and Tekken 7 at the 30th SEA Games which was held in Manila in 2019.

With an overall score of 3-2, Sibol defeated Indonesia in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang discipline to win the first-ever esports gold medal in Southeast Asia.

The bemedaled team will also be representing the Philippines in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou and the 14th IESF Esports World Championship in Bali, both scheduled to take place later this year.

Visit Philippine Esports Organization and Sibol’s official Facebook pages for more updates.

Read: Smart Launches GIGA Arena As First All-In-One Esports Platform For Filipino Mobile Gamers

Original article: Sibol begins its Lakad Matatag to 31st SEA Games in Hanoi

Sibol begins its Lakad Matatag to 31st SEA Games in Hanoi
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Filipinas leading the way for Airbnb’s Host community in the Philippines March 17, 2022 at 02:01AM

Out of Town Blog
Filipinas leading the way for Airbnb’s Host community in the Philippines

Hosting with Airbnb has provided Superhost Emily with additional income while still being present for her family

Manila is home to the largest number of women Hosts in the country, followed by Quezon City, Cebu City, and Tagaytay
In H1 2021, new women Hosts collectively earned over PHP 8 million welcoming guests

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Latest data reveals that women are driving Airbnb’s community of Hosts in the Philippines with Filipinas making up over 62% of all Hosts*. Many of them have become pillars in their local communities — employing other women in rural areas, warmly welcoming local and international travelers into their homes and neighborhoods, and catalyzing local economic activity as travel rebounds.

Filipinas leading the way for Airbnb's Host community in the Philippines — Filipinas leading the way for Airbnb’s Host community in the Philippines

Even as women have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic during the past two years, many have found hosting with Airbnb to be a significant way for them to support their families, pursue their passions, and achieve success. In fact, in 2021, women Hosts globally received a higher share of 5-star reviews (91%) than their male counterparts (89%)**.

Manila is also home to the highest number of women Airbnb Hosts in the country, followed by Quezon, Cebu, and Tagaytay***. Notably, despite hosting during small windows of opportunities due to the start-stop order of travel restrictions last year, new women Airbnb Hosts who started hosting in 2021 collectively earned over PHP 8 million from January to June****.

“Empowering and creating opportunities for more Filipinas to become entrepreneurs in the tourism sector is important to us. It’s incredibly heartening to hear firsthand from our Hosts on how hosting has benefited them, and how they continue to share their warmth and hospitality with guests and in their local neighborhoods. Our women Hosts are incredibly diverse — they include mothers, travel nomads, small business owners, and women across almost every industry. Airbnb remains committed to growing the diversity of our Host community every year, including our number of women Hosts,” said Mich Goh, Airbnb Head of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Philippines’ top women Airbnb Superhosts

One of the Philippines’ most highly rated Superhosts with the highest share of 5-star ratings in the nation is Emily Avelino, who runs two cozy Airbnb stays nestled in the mountains of Rizal. Emily used to work in the corporate space and retired early to focus more on her family.

She shared, “While I was homeschooling my kids, I prayed for an opportunity that would allow me to still be with my children and yet do something meaningful that I enjoy. I love that I now can host and respond to my guests from anywhere, even when I’m at the grocery store or with my kids – you don’t have to sacrifice family time! Today we employ locals in the mountains to help us run both listings, most of them are working students or mothers who cannot work full time because they take care of their children.”

Hosting with Airbnb has provided Superhost Emily with additional income while still being present for her family Emily loves going the extra mile for her guests, including arranging events and special celebrations for them.

Emily loves going the extra mile for her guests, including arranging events and special celebrations for them

During the pandemic, Emily went out of her way to refund her guests in full when they requested last-minute cancellations due to health and travel issues. She also purchased a hospital-grade vacuum cleaner and air purifier and regularly tested all her staff. She added, “With the pandemic, there have been so many uncontrollable factors. But what I love most is hearing from my guests how much they enjoy spending time with their loved ones in my home, after they’ve been cooped up for so long during the pandemic.”

When Filipina Superhost Luz Refe retired from her corporate role in the hospitality industry, she started hosting travelers through Airbnb, “I had used Airbnb during my travels abroad, and always loved staying with locals because I get to experience a more authentic way of traveling. Airbnb has allowed me to continue sharing my passion for hospitality, create meaningful connections with strangers and travelers and help them be in the know of Manila — something that really brings joy to my heart.”

For Superhost Luz, hosting on Airbnb brings her incredible joy

Luz has welcomed hundreds of guests, but her favorite memories are of those who have allowed her to become a part of their lives even if for a short span of time. She recently hosted a solo traveler working on his immigration papers for the States, checking in on him daily with snacks and tea and celebrating together when he finally obtained his papers. With her bubbly personality and immense passion for people, Luz has since been able to invest in a small cafe with her hosting income.

For Filipinas who are considering to be part of Airbnb’s community of Hosts, both Luz and Emily share the same advice to just go for it. For both of them and thousands more women Hosts around the Philippines, hosting is an exciting and rewarding adventure.

Airbnb has made it easier than ever to become an Airbnb Host, with an updated onboarding process that is just 10 steps and a plethora of unique resources and support, such as the ability to pick the brain of an Airbnb Superhost. Last year, Airbnb introduced AirCover, which provides top-to-bottom protection for free to every Airbnb Host with $1 million in damage protection and $1 million in liability coverage. Filipinas interested in hosting can learn more at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes.

Notes:

*Based on internal Airbnb data as of March 2022
**Based on Airbnb data from January 1 to June 30, 2021
***Based on internal Airbnb data as of March 2022
****Based on internal Airbnb data from January to June 30, 2021

Follow Out of Town Travel Blog on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin, and Pinterest if you want more travel and tech-related updates.

Read:

Original article: Filipinas leading the way for Airbnb’s Host community in the Philippines

Filipinas leading the way for Airbnb’s Host community in the Philippines
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Luxe NUSTAR complex to open in Cebu March 15, 2022 at 07:26PM

Out of Town Blog
Luxe NUSTAR complex to open in Cebu

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – Cebu City will take center stage once more with the planned soft opening of the ultra-luxurious NUSTAR Resort and Casino complex this year. The first and biggest lifestyle and entertainment destination outside Manila, it will redefine five-star luxury, gaming, entertainment, leisure, dining, and retail in the southern Philippines.

Situated at the picturesque Kawit Island along the South Road Properties, NUSTAR Resort and Casino is the flagship project of Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. of the Gokongwei Group which is focused on gaming and integrated resort developments.

Designed to be an iconic destination for leisure, business, and entertainment, the sprawling property is a collaborative masterpiece of renowned international master development planners and interior designers.

The design will reflect a majestic development executed with luxurious artistry to evoke world-class style and sophistication, evident in its expansive casino, three hotel towers, and four-level shopping haven.

Hotel brands include 379-room Fili Urban Resort, Grand Summit Hotel, which will all be managed by Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR), the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), and one of the Philippines’ top hotel chains.

Through its world-class casino, NUSTAR will introduce a new experience and pleasure of gaming with its floor area of 21,000 square meters, 1,500 machines, and 250 tables, the largest and most varied in Cebu.

Guests will surely enjoy the thrill of exciting gaming action and live performances at the Entertainment Bar and exclusive events at the Sports Bar.

Star-rated hotels will boast well-appointed rooms which will elevate the gold standard in luxury accommodations, while its vast retail space will showcase luxury brands, high-fashion boutiques, plush VIP cinemas, and a carefully-curated mix of global and regional dining concepts, featuring international and home-grown restaurants.

With health and safety being the utmost priority, the resort complex has a 100% vaccinated workforce and is equipped with disinfectant technologies to give guests peace of mind when staying at the resort.

As Asia’s newest leisure colony, NUSTAR is envisioned to be a choice venue for business events, conferences, social gatherings, and entertainment events in showcasing Filipino culture and artistry at its state-of-the-art performing arts theater.

The recreational enclave is expected to be a hub for domestic and international Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE). Its spacious exhibition halls, elegant ballrooms, and high-tech support facilities are suited for big events.

The property will also have a water theme park and viewing deck located at the pinnacle of the main NUSTAR Hotel tower, overlooking the mountains and the seas of Cebu.

Guests can also take a scenic walk along the 580-meter boardwalk connecting NUSTAR to the Cebu strait, designed by famed contemporary artist, JEFRË.

Located along Cebu’s coastal road, it is easily accessible via the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) via the soon-to-open Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).

For more information, log on to www.nustar.ph or email contactus@nustar.ph.

Follow Out of Town Travel Blog on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bloglovin, and Pinterest if you want more travel and tech-related updates.

Original article: Luxe NUSTAR complex to open in Cebu

Luxe NUSTAR complex to open in Cebu
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog