Living in a world with Covid-19 can be challenging; instead of going into work and having genuine human interaction, everyone is stuck doing work at home through zoom meetings and other sorts of streaming tools. But, now and then, it is nice to interact with someone new that is sure to make you laugh. Hiring a Virtual Comedian can make your gathering better.

Here’s how a Virtual Comedian can make your gathering better

Hiring a Virtual comedian for an after-hours work party or even to a get together with family that you have not been able to see throughout the virus can be a great way to blow off some steam. There are some great up and coming comedians transferring to the virtual world; a great example would be Tony Baker.

Liven Up the Mood 

Hiring any outside entertainment for any event is a great way to capture the viewer’s attention and liven up the mood. Still, it can be helpful, even more so, throughout the Covid situation.

Everyone is advised to stay home as much as possible, so outside entertainment, other than television and the internet, has come to a halt, so having the ability to interact with an entertainer or a comedian can bring joy to a group of people.

Create Smiles in Bad times 

During these times of hardship, heartbreak, and unfortunately, a time of loss for so many people, it can be nice to sit back after a long day of work and enjoy a nice laugh. You don’t know what is going on in other people’s lives, especially with how crazy everything is right now, so having that laugh could make a difference. 

Also, most people think that the screen is a separation between what you are watching and reality, and even though this is true to some extent, it can still bring smiles knowing that you are interacting with real human beings, even if it is not in person. 

Embracing Social Distancing 

It is essential to do your part to help stop the spread of this virus, so hiring a comedian to do a zoom meeting can be a great way to enjoy yourself and still do your part. No rule says you can’t have fun or host online parties with fun guests, like comedians. 

Instead of creating more problems and complaining, sit back, relax and enjoy the jokes coming from your laptop. 

Watching stand up comedy on TV can be great to blow off some steam in a short time, but it can be genuinely surreal being able to interact with them face to face. It could be done more easily on a zoom call or another streaming service because the comedian can see your face and how you react to his or her jokes. 

Hire a Virtual Comedian and make your gathering better

There isn’t a better way to get the closest thing to an in-person experience, like hiring a comedian to come to your virtual event. It may not be as good as the real thing in person, but it is a great way to embrace “the new normal.”

Are you planning to visit Boracay soon? Here are some of the places where you can stay.

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Where do you get an affordable and decent meal in Boracay amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? Unfortunately, many restaurants have remained closed. No fret! A few have remained open to serve. Enjoy Boracay. No need to shell out more money. Below are my top three choices of food establishments where you can get a budget meal for as low as 100 pesos per head.

All three restaurants are located in the center of Boracay. Check the map below.

They all follow the safety and health protocols. No mask, no entry. At the entrance, a dedicated staff checks your body temperature. There is a hand washing area (with soap and water) or a non contact hand sanitizer dispenser near the doors.

Jasper’s Tapsilog & Resto Boracay

Established in 1995, Jasper’s Tapsilog & Resto Boracay is one of the pioneering restaurants on the island. They have been serving food to locals and travelers alike.

Jasper’s Tapsilog & Resto Boracay is one of the pioneering restaurants on the island.

They serve a variety of Filipino dishes, open everyday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Budget per head is P 100.

Tapsilog

P 70.00

Jasper’s Tapsilog & Resto Boracay

You may order for dine-in or takeaway. For deliveries, call (036) 288 3435.

Jasper’s Tapsilog & Resto Boracay serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

By the way, their Chicken Tinola is my personal favorite. They serve snacks and short orders, too.

Menu

Andok’s

The all-time Filipino favorite fried chicken, Andok’s, reopened way ahead of the other fast food restaurants in Boracay after the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Andok’s reopened way ahead of the other fast food restaurants in Boracay after ECQ.

They have a number of branches spread across Boracay.

Although, I am not sure if all branches reopened. I got to visit only two branches in Station 2: the one inside D’Mall and the one near Laketown.

The Laketown Branch is conveniently located near a water station and the laundromat.

Dokito

P 75.00

Andok”s Boracay

Aside from their deep-fried chicken, Andok’s serve other equally satisfying yet inexpensive Filipino dishes.

Budget per head is 125 pesos.

The Laketown Branch starts serving from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, for dine-n and takeaway.

Menu

Andoks Boracay was established in the year 2004. D’Mall Outlet in Boracay was the first ever Dine-In Outlet in the whole Philippines.

Andok’s Boracay Facebook Page

Smoke Restaurant

Located in D’Mall market, Smoke Resto specializes in Filipino food.

Budget per head is 150 pesos.

Smoke Restaurant serves Filipino Food guaranteed cooked once you order.

The restaurant has a limited seating capacity. For food delivery, you may call them at +63 36 2886014 or 2884565 or mobile +63908 195 9358, or send them a message thru their Facebook Page. They deliver from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hamburger

P 95.00

Smoke Restaurant

My personal favorite is their hamburger. Watch my vlog below. You may skip to 8:44 for the food review.

Smoke Resto prepares a Weekly Special Menu. And if you are a loyal patron, you will not get bored. You get a variety every week. Below is this week’s specials:

Stay updated by liking their Facebook Page. Take a look at some of their special meals for the day:

Aside from grilled meat, you may order seafood. They buy fresh from the nearby stalls. Talk about the benefits of being situated in a market!

Menu

Those are my top three restaurants in Boracay to get budget meals for as low as 100 pesos.

Tourism is slowly picking-up the pace. We expect more establishments to reopen. I cannot wait! Stay tuned for more updates!

Note: Some photos were lifted from the Facebook Pages of the establishments.

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On October 1, 2020, Boracay reopened its borders to local tourists from areas classified under General Community Quarantine (GCQ). And, this was the third reopening in a span of two years. Each one for a different reason. The first was on October 26, 2018, after a 6-month closure to rehabilitate the island. The second was on June 16, 2020 to tourists from the Western Visayas Region, after three months of quarantine.

Boracay reopening after a 6-month rehabilitation

On October 26, 2018, exactly two years ago today, Boracay reopened after six months of closure for rehabilitation. I booked one of the early flights to be one of the first few to capture the island’s “restored” beauty on video. I stayed on the island for two weeks and was able to publish a vlog on my Youtube channel. Watch it here.

Carpe diem

In January 2019, I came back for a two-week vacation. Opportunity knocked to work and lead a more peaceful life on the island. I knew I had to seize the chance. In barely two months, I finished all of my commitments in Metro Manila. And on April 9, 2019, I packed my bags, got on a boat and left for the island for good.

Long story short, I ended up juggling three jobs: a Marketing Officer of a travel agency, a Managing Partner of an apartelle and a bar tender. I was on a roll! Things were looking pretty good.

Strike 1: Ursula

Tourism started to pick up. Then, a super storm, known locally as Typhoon Ursula, struck unleashing ruin on Boracay a day prior to Christmas of 2019. Ursula left the island, literally, in the dark for a good three weeks. We spent the holidays without electricity, telecommunication and internet connection. None of my family and friends knew the extent of Ursula’s destruction. Power and telecommunication were only restored by the second week of January 2020.

Strike 2: Taal

We, on the island, remained steadfast and had high hopes in recovering our business losses as we geared up for the influx of tourists for the Chinese New Year celebration. Then, Taal, the world’s smallest volcano, erupted on January 12, 2020. Flights and hotel bookings got cancelled. Tourists got stranded. Business on the island slowed down yet again.

I said to myself, “This, too, shall pass.”

I checked my booking calendar and saw that I still had guest reservations for the upcoming summer and Holy Week. Enough to tide me over. Better days ahead, or so I thought.

Strike 3: COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organinization declared the ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV (COVID-19) as a global pandemic. This resulted to the Philippine government’s decision to close the country’s borders on March 16, 2020. That was when everything started to crumble. No more travel inquiries. No more apartelle bookings. More cancellations. No more bar to tend. No more tourists to entertain. It was time to close shop and let go.

By April 2020, I was jobless. Even my online work as a marketing consultant was put to a halt. I entertained myself during the lockdown and created a Tiktok account.

Boracay reopening to Western Visayas

On June 16, 2020, Boracay reopened to tourists coming from Western Visayas. The low influx of visitors was not enough to reboot the island’s economy. The same beachcombers frequented the beach front day in and day out.

Boracay reopening to the rest of the country under GCQ

On October 1, 2020, after nearly seven months, Boracay reopened to local tourists from areas classified under General Community Quarantine (GCQ).

Requirements for tourists from GCQ areas:

• RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) Negative result with three days (72 hours) validity before arrival. Here is a list of hospitals with RT-PCR Tests ranging from 1750-2000 pesos:

• Online health declaration. Click here.

• Confirmed booking hotel/resort accommodation with DOT Accreditation and Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO). Here’s the list of accredited establishments with CAO in Western Visayas as of October 21, 2020:

Here is why you should visit Boracay now and what to expect:

COVID-free Paradise

The country’s top island destination remains to be COVID-free and we aim to keep it that way. Safety protocols are in place and are strictly adhered to by the establishments. We religiously wear our face masks and shields and we regularly wash our hands. We maintain social distancing, too, and we expect our visitors to do the same.

Budget-Friendly Rates

Take advantage of the budget-friendly rates offered by some of the luxury hotels on the island. Book a 5-star accommodation at an uber discounted rate. Discounts range from 50% to 75% off published rates. Average room rate per night is Php 2500, good for two adults. If you are lucky, you might even get free breakfast.

The Henann Group of Resorts has partner third party providers that offer RT-PCR Tests at a decent cost.

White Beach All To Yourself

If you love peace and quiet, Boracay is perfect. Not too many distractions. Just you, the sun, sand and sea. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Based on the Boracay Tourists Arrival Data as of October 25, 2020, the average daily number of tourists arrivals is 78. Slowly, tourism is starting to pick up. However, this is a far cry from the average daily number of tourists during the first 10 months of 2019, i .e. 5,808.

Amazing Sunsets

No sunset in Boracay is the same. Watch the picturesque sunset in awe while enjoying your favorite cocktail in one of the beach front restaurants or while strolling on the beach for that much needed exercise or while taking a dip in the crystal clear waters of Boracay.

Swimming Period

Swimming is allowed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in designated parts of White Beach and Puka Beach. Senior citizens and children are allowed to swim.

Curfew

There is an islandwide curfew from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day. As the great Benjamin Franklin aptly put it, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” 🤪

Select Food and Drinks Establishments

Below are some of the food and drinks establishments that are open amidst the pandemic:

My Boracay Guide updates their list of partner establishments weekly. Click here.

Stumbling Blocks

Aside from potentially acquiring COVID-19, the exorbitant cost of the RT- PCR Test is a major factor preventing the local tourists from ultimately visiting Boracay.

Last week, I got a call from a “celebrity” friend. She is planning to celebrate her birthday on the island this November with family and friends. She told me that the unit cost of the RT-PCR Test or swab test is a whopping Php 10,000. The cost of the RT-PCR Test is way too expensive than an airline roundtrip ticket and a 5-star hotel accommodation combined. I hope the government can do something to regulate it. The swab test is non-negotiable as we strive to be COVID-free. I spoke to some of the locals. An E-trike driver told me that he would rather have less tourists than put himself and his family at risk of getting infected.

Picking Up The Pieces

Admittedly, it has been a long and arduous journey. This is true not just for me but for everyone living on the island. Seven months and counting. COVID-19 made me realize a lot of things. One of them is to seize the day. We are all on borrowed time. Let us make use of this extra time to better ourselves and our relationships.

I had to put many of my plans on hold. Some cancelled. Sad and scary even. Pushed to the wall. Helpless. Sometimes I would find myself floating in the deeper part of the sea, looking up the sky, imagining (waiting) for a comet to suddenly appear to come crashing towards me. Oh well… life goes on… Life must go on. Thanks to my family and friends who constantly remind me to keep the Faith. No way but up, Boracay. Pick up the pieces and look forward to another Boracay reopening soon… this time to the world.

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LG Philippines has made its mission to support the frontliners combatting the COVID-19 pandemic in any way they can. The technology innovating company has been actively taking part in relief operations geared towards helping those in health institutions.  Health workers from Manila’s San Lazaro hospital recently reached out to LG to request for assistance.

One, they needed a way to wash the reusable PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) that they were using.

Two, they needed a way to store their food since they’re in the hospital round the clock.

To accede their request, LG donated three washing machines to keep their PPES nice and clean and one refrigerator , as well, to keep their food fresh and healthy.

LG Philippines Managing Director Inkwun Heo reiterated the company’s commitment in helping the frontliners, stating “It is with utmost gratitude that we acknowledge these requests by our modern day heroes. We want to spare no expense in giving what we can in order to keep our dear frontliners safe and healthy.”

About LG Electronics Inc.

Life’s about more than having the latest technology, rather, it’s about the experiences technology creates that impact our lives. LG Electronics Philippines delivers consumer electronics through top-of-the-line home entertainment, home appliances, and air solution products, that prepare Filipinos for their greatest moments. LG promises to bring “Innovation for a Better Life” nationwide – from Luzon, to Visayas, and Mindanao.

For more details, log on to lg.com/ph, like @LGPhilippines on Facebook and follow @LGPhilippines on Instagram. 

#LGShares

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