News & Current Events | Philippine Primer

December 29, 2020

Metro Manila and Other Areas to Stay Under GCQ Until January 31

President Rodrigo Duterte announced on December 28 that Metro Manila and nine other areas in the country will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) status until January 31, 2021.

December 23, 2020

City of Manila Hailed as the Most Competitive City in the PH

The local government of Manila was awarded as the most competitive highly urbanized city in the Philippines during the 8th Regional Competitiveness Summit held last December 16.

December 22, 2020

New Normal Guide For Tourists Visiting Boracay Island

Two months since Boracay re-opened its islands, the number of tourists visiting has increased on a daily basis. With the resumption of the tourism business on the island, several health and safety measures are being followed to ensure safe travel for everyone. Below is a guide for tourists planning to visit Boracay this holiday season!

May 17, 2022

PH Temporarily Bans Flights from UK Starting December 24 to 31

The Philippines temporarily banned flights from the United Kingdom starting December 24 to 31 due to recent concerns over the spread of a new SARS-COV-2 strain, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is currently emerging in the UK.

May 17, 2022

Pantone Announces Ultimate Gray and Illuminate as Color of the Year 2021

Seeing what is essential to lift up the human spirit, Pantone recently introduced PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating as the best colors to represent the mood for Pantone Color of the Year 2021.

November 26, 2020

Festival of Lights 2020 Sparks Hope for the Holidays with Interactive Digital Lights and Sound Show

This year, the same spirit of the holidays continues to live but a new kind of celebration awaits. In an effort to celebrate the season while ensuring safety, Ayala Land brings joy to families through the country’s first-ever interactive digital lights and sound show!

November 13, 2020

LIST: Installation Sites For Auto Sweep and Easy Trip RFID Tags

Radio Frequency Identification Tags, most commonly known as RFID tags are no stranger as the country has been using this system for years as an option for toll booth payments. As the country switches toll booths into cashless payments, here's a list of where you can have your RFID tags installed!

May 18, 2022

Travel PH Web App Launched to Keep Tourists Updated on Open Destinations

As more travel destinations in the country reopen under general community quarantine, the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently launched the new Travel Philippines web application that will help tourists be updated on the status of destinations that recently reopened in the country.

October 26, 2020

El Nido to Ease Travel Bubble Starting October 30

One of the country's top tourist destinations—El Nido, is easing its travel bubble restrictions to welcome in more tourists starting October 30 as announced by the Department of Tourism.

October 22, 2020

Japanese Embassy Issues Advisory on Changes in Visa Application

The Embassy of Japan in the Philippines processes Visa Application as described below for the time being to pay the maximum consideration to prevention of infection by applicants, as well as to carry out its urgent duties.

October 21, 2020

Non-Essential Outbound Travel Ban Allowed Starting October 21

Effective starting October 21, Filipinos may now continue with their travels abroad as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) recently relaxed its ban on non-essential outbound travel.

October 13, 2020

DOT Reopens Ilocos Norte to Luzon Tourist Starting Oct 15!

Now, amidst the pandemic, Ilocos Norte is finally reopening its doors to tourists from Luzon starting October 15, 2020! As stated by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, even those coming from areas that are still under general community quarantine (GCQ) are welcomed to visit Ilocos Norte.

October 02, 2020

5 Filipino Brands Won Stars at UK’s Great Taste Awards 2020

Through the years, the Philippines has gotten more and more competitive when it comes to producing local and quality goods. Several local products have been making names outside the country and just this year, 5 local brands from the country win stars at UK's Great Taste Awards!

September 29, 2020

Malacañang Announces Travel Pass For Essential Outbound Travel Aren’t Needed

Essential outbound travels that involve employment, education, medical, humanitarian, and essential business aren't required a travel pass but on the other hand, non-essential outbound travel remains suspended

September 28, 2020

Boracay to Reopen for Tourists Starting October 1

After months of lockdown and quarantine measures, Boracay Island will be reopening to accept tourists and travelers starting October 1. According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the reopening of Boracay signals “a gathering momentum for domestic tourism all over the country”—a move to jumpstart the Philippines’ domestic tourism since the pandemic. She also added that the resumption of tourism businesses on the island would still follow several measures in place. In a special meeting held with Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores last September 22, the Boracay Interagency Task Force (BITF) approved the reopening of Boracay to travelers from areas under the general community quarantine (GCQ). This is in addition to tourists coming from Western […]

September 17, 2020

GrabFood Now Operates 24/7 Again

You can now order from GrabFood round-the-clock!

October 05, 2020

Staycations Now Allowed in GCQ Areas

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has approved staycations in hotels in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) as a bid to gradually restart tourism activities in the country.

September 10, 2020

Davao City Recognized as Cacao Capital of the Philippines

Over the years of being the region's major producer of cacao beans, Davao City in Mindanao is officially distinguished as Cacao Capital of the Philippines!

August 19, 2020

Metro Manila and 4 Nearby Provinces Reverts Back to GCQ Until August 31

The National Capital Region (NCR) and areas of Bulacan Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal will revert back to a less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ) effective from today until August 31.

May 21, 2022

Duterte Reimposes MECQ in Metro Manila and Other Areas From August 4 to 18

Updated as of August 3, 2020 In a late-night public address on Sunday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that Metro Manila and provinces of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, and Bulacan will be reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) starting August 4 to 18. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members on August 2, 2020. /IMAGE Presidential Photo by King Rodriguez Duterte approved the recommendation of his Cabinet members to return to a more stringent quarantine status after at least 80 medical associations representing thousands of doctors signed a letter asking the government to revert Manila to enhanced community quarantine […]