Saturday, November 25, 2023
Puerto Princesa: Cruising to be a Top MICE Enclave
Monday, November 6, 2023
Citadines Bacolod City: Unlocking Potential in Panay Region’s Hospitality Sector
The Ascott Limited, a leading international hospitality company, will be redefining the industry once again with Citadines Bacolod City, the newest addition to its roster of properties. Located in the heart of Bacolod. The premier-serviced residence, which marks Ascott's maiden entry into the city, is positioning itself as a game-changer in the local hospitality scene.
Bacolod City, known as the "City of Smiles" is a vibrant and progressive urban center located in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is the capital city of the province and serves as its economic, cultural, and administrative hub. The city’s rapid urbanization has had a significant impact on its tourism and hospitality sector, transforming it into a thriving destination that attracts both domestic and international travelers.
Gearing up for 2024, Citadine’s targeted venture is Bacolod’s well-celebrated Masskara festival, which attracts tourists from all over the world. A part of their preparation was the exclusive VIP Night last October 19, which welcomed special guests Mr. Jose Franco Soberano, COO of Cebu Landmasters, Mr. Mathias Bergundthal, Director of SLI Hotels and Resorts, and Mr. Alec Lsutre, President of Capitaine Inc. The event gave a peek into the fun and excitement Citadines has planned for the upcoming year, featuring Masskara performers all night long - drummers, dancers, and singers - giving Bacolod a taste of what’s to come.
The VIP Night also explored “How Citadines will Change the Hospitality Landscape in Bacolod” with Ascott General Manager Philip Barnes, opening with an optimistic eye for the upcoming opening.
The Citadines brand is committed to providing a seamless blend of convenience, comfort, and connectivity to cater to the diverse needs of both business and leisure travelers. Each Citadines property exudes a distinct style and character, reflecting the local culture and community, while maintaining a consistent philosophy of “bringing you to the city, and the city to you”.
Looking forward to its opening in 2024, A property viewing was also integrated to boast the array of world-class amenities designed to elevate the guest experience. Showcasing the infinity pool, which offers stunning views of Bacolod's skyline, and the fully equipped fitness center to cater to health and wellness enthusiasts. Citadines excites everyone with a teaser of their several restaurants. For those wanting to try out local cuisines and regional specialties, stop by Citadines’ Negrense, your one-stop destination for all the delicacies Negros Occidental. The property’s team of chefs will collaborate with local cooks to deliver flavors unique to each city in the region.
Viennoiserie and Italian, Citadines Bacolod City’s lobby cafĂ© and bakery, will treat guests with an irresistible blend of aromatic coffee experiences through its collaboration with Coffee Culture, a popular and innovative artisan coffee roaster of local and imported beans. Aligning with the property’s brand signature, “for the love of coffee”, guests can choose from a menu inspired by the local coffee culture and leisurely enjoy food and beverages in an ambiance that radiates comfort and sophistication. Viennoiserie and Italian’s skilled baristas are devoted to transforming each cup of coffee into a journey of flavors, using carefully sourced beans that reflect the essence of the region's coffee heritage.
The property also boasts a selection of versatile event spaces, thoughtfully designed to accommodate a wide range of gatherings and occasions, such as a grand ballroom. This part of the property provides a spacious and versatile venue, making it an ideal Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination in the region. With its state-of-the-art facilities and adaptable layout, this pillarless marvel is poised to be a true game-changer in the MICE industry in the area, setting new standards for elegance, flexibility, and sophistication in event spaces.
"As a property managed by The Ascott Limited, Citadines Bacolod City exemplifies our commitment to providing a seamless blend of comfort, convenience, and top-notch service," said Philip Barnes, the Ascott Limited’s Country General Manager. "We are delighted to bring this exceptional brand to Bacolod City and offer travelers a sophisticated stay experience."
The property’s strategic location puts it in close proximity to several of the city’s key amenities and facilities. This includes some of Bacolod City’s top universities, shopping malls, central business districts, and restaurants. Citadines Bacolod City’s central location makes it an attractive choice for business and leisure travelers seeking a well-connected base to explore the city's vibrant offerings.
Along with Bacolod’s rapid urban growth, Citadines Bacolod City’s establishment in the city can help pave the way for further economic boon for the area as a whole. The property’s capacity to become a MICE destination leader in the region can significantly contribute to the city’s revenue generation, business opportunities, and diversification of income. It can also help maintain the region’s occupancy levels, especially during special cultural events like the Masskara Festival, and promote the Ascott brand to the Visayas region.
In terms of future growth, Ascott believes Citadines Bacolod City presents a steep growth potential in the coming years. With Bacolod's popularity as a travel and business hub continuing to soar, the property is well-equipped to cater to the increasing demand for sophisticated accommodations and events facilities. Through its establishment in Bacolod, Ascott aims to strengthen its brand presence in the Panay area by exploring opportunities for expansion and enhancing guest experiences in other key cities within the region.
As Citadines Bacolod City opens its doors to the public, the property invites guests to indulge in a world-class stay experience, backed by Ascott's legacy of exceptional service and unparalleled hospitality. Guests can reserve and advance and look out for updates by visiting the property’s official website and the following social media pages, Facebook and Instagram.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
5 Common Business Mistakes and How to Fix Them
1. Unable to Establish a Niche or Focus - The online world can be overwhelming. With the endless possibilities and opportunities, one may also fall into the trap of being all over the place which in return, makes the brand easily lose its identity.
It is important for brands to establish a niche or identify their area of focus in that way, people can easily remember and recall the brand when doing significant consumer decisions.
TIP: When starting a business, ask the big questions because your answers can help you identify your niche.
- What is the purpose of my business?
- What problems am I trying to solve?
- What gaps in the market am I trying to fill in?
2. Targeting a Broad and Large Market - As great as it sounds, targeting a broad and large market might not be the most efficient way to spend your time and your marketing budget. We have to understand that not everyone can be our customers. The market is so diverse with varying needs, interests, and purchasing power.
TIP: Know your target audience. Identify consumers who are likely to buy your products and services, and customize your digital marketing strategies to use to engage them. Do not over-stretch your budget just because you want to reach everyone.
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Kiray, Arron, Stephan, and Pash agree -- Pinoys deserve excellent products
On-the-go Stephan is always ready to be in-game anytime anywhere
Pash has the power
to work and travel in a sophisticated style
Friday, May 19, 2023
How to Land Your Dream Job with a Winning Resume
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Woman Farmer Leader Sparks Hope in Agriculture
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
JobStreet shows the realities of hiring on social media in video series, urges employers to hire real talent
Friday, April 14, 2023
When a Single Source Income is No Longer Enough: We Find Ways
- Launch a crowdfunding campaign. There have been a lot of crowdfunding success stories and you can be one of them too. You just need to have a good product and the right pitch.
- Raise capital from family and friends who would be interested to invest in your business. Make sure to determine exactly how much funds you need and the equity that you are willing to give away.
- Apply for a loan. There are a lot of SME Loans available in the market. Banco de Oro (BDO) for instance offers funding options tailored for SMEs ranging from 1-50 million. They even have the SME Ready Check which works like a revolving fund that is ideal for buying inventory or supplies to address seasonal or bulk orders. You can also use it as a working capital to address operational requirements.
One of my favorite investment products is the Peso Money Market Fund of BDO, it earns relatively higher than your savings and time deposit accounts yet it doesn't even have a minimum holding period. This means that you have full access and control over your funds in case of emergencies. (Please note though that experts advise staying invested for at least 6 months to maximize earning potential.)
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
JobStreet Advocates for Fair Hiring to Eliminate Exploitative Recruitment Practices
Sunday, February 26, 2023
Intellectual Property Law Enforcement, Student Academic Groups, Publishers Sign Statement of Cooperation Against Content Piracy
Friday, January 27, 2023
How I Made Money Because of My Love for Books
"Make Your Passion Your Profession" is one of the most popular quotes we hear today. It inspires us to pursue our passion as a career because of the notion that if we are already doing the things we love, then it should be easy, effortless, and fulfilling.
Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Many still struggle to find this sweet spot for a number of reasons. Some do not know the "how" while others are even uncertain about what they are passionate about. 'Making your Passion your Profession' won't come easy but it is very much POSSIBLE AND ATTAINABLE.
With our current economy where inflation rates continue to go up, everyone could make use of some extra money. So, this made me think - what I am passionate about and how can I get paid because of it?
Here's what I realized:
- I am a certified bibliophile.
- I collect and love books.
- I fell in love with reading when I was 13 and more than 20 years after, I still find joy in reading.
And GUESS WHAT? The past 2 years during the pandemic allowed me to find ways to make money because of my love for books.
Here are four (4) Ways How I Made Money Because of My Love for Books
There are many sites that offer jobs/ gigs for book reviewers. Some examples are Kirkus Media, Upwork, OnlineBookClub, and Reedsy Discovery. You can also reach out to publishers directly and apply to be one.
2. Book Blogger/ Vlogger - If you don't want to work for an agency or publisher, you can also start working on your own by starting your blog or social media channel to share your book reviews. Many bloggers/ vloggers earn through ads or sponsored content.
Amazon and Kobo have affiliate programs and if you are in the Philippines, popular e-commerce sites such as Lazada and Shopee have affiliate programs too that you can join.
4. Be an Online Seller - One of the advantages of being a reader when selling books is that you understand the market. You personally know what books appeal to you and your peers. You are updated with the latest releases and other things that only true bookworms know.
There are many platforms available online where you can sell. You don't even need to have a big investment to start. You can initially purchase just a few titles and just manage your earnings properly.
Based on my personal experience, we opened our little bookstore in October 2021 with less than 15 titles. I sold them online through my FB groups and we just saved whatever profit we made so, we can buy more stocks. Then, when it got sold out again, we bought a new batch of books and just had to repeat the cycle over and over again.
This experience thought us the power of compounding savings in growing a business. If you want to estimate savings or get a better picture of your savings goal, you can check out SavingsCalculator.org, which allows you to create a growth table of savings over time.
Fast forward to today - our bookstore grew and now we have over 500 titles on hand. We have sold thousands of books in 2022. This is all because we knew how to save and ofcourse because we love books.
So, if you are a bookworm like me and currently looking for ways how to earn extra money, then we hope you find this post helpful.