Thursday, December 6, 2018

Representative Teodorico Haresco Jr of Aklan

As a dutiful citizen of this beautiful country, I read, watch and listen to news about the leaders of the Republic of the Philippines. Upon the invitation of John Cueto and  Philip Abadicio, my wife Joy and I headed at Dad's West Ave this afternoon even if we're coding to meet and greet Representative Teodorico Haresco Jr of Aklan.  

Honestly speaking, Congressman Haresco is far from my radar though I read and heard about him a couple of times. I do not know the lawmaker from Aklan much as I know about the Congressmen in Manila.
Here are some of the details I learned from this lawmaker who did a lot for his kapwa Aklanons:

1. He is well-known as  Nonong Haresco.
2. He has authored thirty three (33) House Measures
3. He has co-authored thirty one (31) House Measures. 
4. He finished Engineering and Accounting in Dela Salle University with honors.
5. He completed his M.A. in International Economics at the McGill University in Canada.
6. He participated in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development- International Trade Center in Switzerland. 
7. He is the only Visayan and Aklanon to receive the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Businessman of The Year in 2007 
8. Deutch Bank Banker of the Year in 2005. 
9. People Asia's Person of the Year in 2008
10 One of the Modern Day Heroes in 2008. 
11. He was cited in the book celebrating 347 years of Philippine-British Relations. 
12. His company WINSOURCE Solutions Inc. has been a five-time recipient of the Queens Awards for Entreprise. He conceptualized President's Bridge Programme (PBP). PBP is a very successful reengineering model in the Philippines being duplicated in Sri Lanka, Papa New Guinea, Cambodia, Siberia and other Asian countries. He is the principal developer of a nationwide scholarship fund for the slain journalists and has put 34 young scholars through school since 2007.
13. Believing in the investing with the youth, he has built numerous schools in Aklan.
14. He taught his constituents to fish, not just to eat fish.
15. He believes in the saying "don't let the right hand know what the left hand is doing".
16. His greatest accomplishment is having a happy family.
17. He is running again as Congressman of Aklan in the coming election.






Monday, December 3, 2018

Bayview Park Hotel Manila Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Mornings are well spent when it starts joyfully. In my case, it started today merrily as Bayview Park Hotel Manila held Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, headed by Bayview General Manager, Mr. Eugene T. Yap

The lobby of the hotel turned pageant-like as Bayview introduced the 13 lovely candidates for their first ever Miss Bayview Park Hotel consisting of selected employees. The winner of this contest will be judged through Facebook-likes voting. In short, the candidate with the most votes will be crowned Miss Bayview Park Hotel 2018. 

Shepherdine Children’s Choir serenaded the crowd with their angelic voices.

Miss Bayview Park Hotel Candidates
Bayview Bear was also present!

Select bloggers and media posing for a wacky shot.
  
Selfie with Mr. Eugene Yap, Bayview General Manager

About Bayview Park Hotel Manila:

Located along the famous Roxas Boulevard, Bayview Park Hotel Manila stands proud and strong. It boasts of its 75-year history as the most sought-after destination for travelers who are here for business and leisure. A boutique-style hotel in Manila that offers very affordable and friendly rates, it provides unparalleled service and exclusive privileges for the most discriminating guests. The hotel is just 20 minutes away from the airport, making it a convenient location for your unforgettable stay here in Manila. It is a walk away from Intramuros and situated directly opposite the landmark U.S. Embassy building. Being in the historic heart of the city, guests can enjoy the spectacular views of Manila Bay and its famous sunsets while experiencing the significant sites and the nightlife as well.

Bayview Park Hotel

1118 Roxas Boulevard, cor United Nations Avenue,
Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
Phone: (02) 526 1555

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

HealthCore International Consultancy, Inc.

Being in the medical fiend for almost five years has given me a glimpse of what is really happening inside the hospitals. There is no denying that Filipino healthcare professionals stand out globally – thousands of doctors, nurses, and other workers in the industry continue to be in demand across the world each year.

Back home, however, local medical facilities still play catch-up in order to make the Philippines an international hub for healthcare. While the country landed on the 5th spot in the most competitive economy in Southeast Asia in the recent Global Competitiveness Report released by the World Economic Forum, it still lags in three pillars, including health. To date, there are 14 internationally accredited healthcare facilities in the Philippines.  

As hospitals and clinics continuously step up to upgrade their facilities and services, one organization is helping them shape up to achieve world-class status.

HealthCore, the center for international quality accreditation for healthcare and medical tourism in the Philippines, has been breathing life into the country’s goal to become globally competitive in the healthcare arena. Since its establishment in 2010, HealthCore has been pushing the industry improve the quality of the hospitals and medical facilities in the country. 



“As the ASEAN representative of various international certification organizations, we promote the globalization of healthcare,” HealthCore president and CEO Joyce Socao-Alumno said. “From day one, our advocacy is to help bring the quality of our medical facilities’ services at par with the international/global standards.”

She explained that they assist various stakeholders involved in international healthcare management, medical and wellness tourism, and retirement services to achieve global competitiveness, excellent patient service and outcomes, and enhanced bottom line through education, international accreditation, and strategic approaches. 

“In a bid to make the Philippines and the ASEAN become a global healthcare destination, HealthCore has committed itself to become part of the medical facilities’ journey to deliver world-class healthcare, particularly in the areas of: academy, accreditation, consultancy, and trading,” Alumno said. 





Recognizing the challenges that hospitals and clinics face in trying to be globally competitive, HealthCore organizes workshops, seminars and on-site trainings that provide insights on how they can acquire international accreditation from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Temos and International Society for Quality Healthcare (ISQUA), accrediting bodies like JCI and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH). 

Part of its recent initiatives include the training of healthcare professionals on the revised version of the ISO 9001:2015 BS EN 15224: 2016. Supported by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Hospital Association, and the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, HealthCore, as the ASEAN representative of Swiss Approval, discussed the Implementation Guidelines and Best Practices for the Audit and Certification of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Patient Safety in Healthcare Services. 

HealthCore also offers consultancy services in the areas of operational efficiency, patient care, facility management and safety, infection control, continuous quality improvement, and quality audit tools as prescribed by international accreditation standards. It has recently concluded a talk on reinventing healthcare through patient-centered hospital designs. The event brought experts from across the globe to discuss about design and technology that change the way hospitals and clinics are operated with the patient at the center of all considerations.

In addition, HealthCore Hospi-tel furniture that give luxurious comfort to patients that are affordable, yet with excellent quality

All these, Alumno said, are geared towards helping the Philippines push its huge potential in the area of medical tourism, a market that is estimated to be worth $22 billion. Currently, the country ranks 19th in the overall global ranking according to the Medical Tourism Index. As hospitals and clinics work toward that goal, with support from the government, HealthCore is relentlessly working behind the scenes to push for global competitiveness. “In terms of international standards, the Philippines is well on its way to get a clean bill of health,” Alumno said. “As we have in the beginning, we at HealthCore will continue to play our role to reach this goal – one medical facility at a time.”


ABOUT HEALTHCORE:

HealthCore International Consultancy, Inc. was founded in 2010 with the aim to assist the various stakeholders involved in international healthcare management, medical and wellness tourism, and retirement services–to achieve global competitiveness, excellent patient service and outcomes, and enhanced bottom line–through education, international quality accreditation, and strategic approaches. Health Core’s businesses are divided into four: Training & Education, Quality Accreditation, Consultancy, and Trading.

It represents and works with the following accreditation agencies: Accreditation Canada, Joint Commission International, NABH International, Swiss Approval, Temos, and Quality and Accreditation Institute.  It is a member of Asian Society for Quality in Healthcare (ASQUA). (www.health-core.org)

Monday, November 26, 2018

Authentic Taiwan Cuisine at Fat Fook

If you haven't been to Taiwan or haven't tried an authentic Taiwanese food experience, better check out Fat Fook Kitchen. They have several branches in the Metro and the newly opened branch is in BGC at the ground level of The Globe Tower.

Fat Fook is a concept co-owned and operated by an authentic Taiwanese, born in Taiwan, Chef Rachel Kao. She decided to set it up here in the Philippines instead of in Taiwan because she has been living in the country for many years and that she finds Filipinos to be more adventurous when it comes to food.

Judging from the 17 menu we've tasted, Fat Fook offers a wide array of  food items that you can only taste at Fat Fook because Chef Rachel made sure not to adjust the recipe just to  suit the Filipino palate. 

Fat Fook translates to “Fat” (big or “mataba”) and “Fook” (a Chinese word for luck or prosperity. In simpler words, Fat Fook means “Fat Luck” or “ Big Luck”.

What I like about Fat Fook:

1. Accessible. There's a parking a just few steps away. It is near (across) St. Lukes and SnR. 
2. I am impressed with the interior design of the restaurant, with high ceilings, tall glass windows and plates that are beautifully and well-glued all over the place. 
3. Price is just right
4. Authenticity

I don't frequent BGC, not that I don't like the place, it's the traffic that I abhor. Now I don't have to worry about being stuck in BGC because a  hot misua soup,  Truffle Xiao Long Bao, Taiwanese Style Fried Noodles, Cua Pao and more from Fat Fook will appease my rambling tummy.


Truffle Xiao Long Bao – a soup dumpling with the twist of truffle 
oil serve with black vinegar and ginger dip

Taiwanese Style Fried Noodles – stir fried noodles with pork strips and vegetables



Beef Tendon Hotpot – braised beef tendon in mild spicy sauce. 
Garnished with spring onion and chopped chili

Cua Pao – tender slices of pork belly and pickled mustard leaves sandwiched in soft whole bun.  Garnished with wansoy and ground peanuts

Tofu with Century Egg and Pork Floss – soft tofu and century egg 
in sweet and salty sauce topped with pork floss


String Beans with Minced Pork – stir fired string beans with stewed shredded pork


Pork Spareribs Radish Soup – deep fried marinated prok ribs then steam until tender in chicken broth and radish topped wansoy

Oyster Omelette – fresh oyster with Taiwan petchay in egg drizzled in sweet pepper sauce

Fat Fook Chicken Chop – a signature dish deep fried breaded chicken fillet with salt and pepper

Pork Xiao Long Bao – a soup dumpling and one of the best seller 
served with black vinegar and ginger dip

Fried Stinky Tofu – a popular Taiwanese dish of fermented tofu served 
with sweet salty sauce and pickled cabbage

Black Pepper Beef – stir fried beef tenderloin chunks in black pepper sauce


Taiwan Sausage –skewered pan fired authentic Taiwan sausage garnished with fresh garlic silvers

Oyster Misua – fresh oyster in misua soup garnished with wansoy, fresh garlic and fried shallots




Fried Intestine – deep fried pork intestine served with salt and pepper




Kiampong is essentially a complete meal on its own. It may contain vegetables, meat or seafood. Fat Fook’s version has a ton of tiny, crispy-fried shrimp on top. The taste is a bit similar to Binagoongan. It is also loaded with several other flavors and topped with cilantro. 
While I enjoyed my first bite as is, I would still highly recommend eating it with the cilantro!




Fat Fook Kitchen
The Globe Tower, 32nd St., BGC, Taguig
Opens Sunday-Saturday, 11am to 10pm

ig : @FatFookManila - fb: FatFookManila