Cebu Parklane Shines Brighter: Christmas Lights, Sustainable Decors and Generous Hearts

Cebu Parklane's Board of Directors with its General Manager Ms. Cenelyn Manguilimotan, DOT 7 Director Joshur Judd Lanete, retired DOT 7 Director Donnie Roa and Hon. Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale

There is in fact treasure in trash. Though, less of us pay attention to what gems garbage can hide. Who would have thought of these simple rubbish tin cans, to find its way as decorative ornaments of a hotel? This year, in the spirit of the Christmas season, Cebu Parklane International Hotel banners recycled tin cans adorning the Hotel’s lobby and other public areas, and most especially the Christmas Tree.

19,000 Coke and Sprite tin cans were collected and transformed to different Hotel decorations. For five consecutive years, the Hotel has continuously been active in answering the call to be stewards of the environment by making use of recycled materials for the Hotel’s over-all Christmas decorations.
Collectively dubbed as “Pasko sa Nayon”, these tin cans were then used to form bahay kubos, a Filipino native house and famous Cebuano tourist spots, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Some cans were made into Christmas Trinkets and were sold at Php250 and Php400 each, for the
benefit of the Cancer Warriors Foundation-Cebu Chapter. One Trinket was priced equivalently to one
chemotherapy vial.

 Ms. Cenelyn Manguilimotan, General Manager of Cebu Parklane International Hotel with her opening remarks

Turn-over of Christmas trinkets proceeds to the Cancer Warriors Foundation - Cebu Chapter

Bannering the campaign, I can because of a CAN, everyone was encouraged to buy a trinket and save a child. The program aims to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the painful journey that the child and their families go through day to day.

The Hotel has also initiated other corporate social responsibility initiatives for the same benefactors for the previous year.

Proceeds of “Be a Warrior, Save an Angel” campaign, were given to the same foundation as financial aid to kids suffering from cancer. Just last week, the Hotel was also able to turn over boxes of
chemotherapy vials as well as cash. It was with the help of John Ford Coley’s concert proceeds held last September 17, 2017 at the Hotel’s Victoria Hall.

Cebu Parklane International Hotel's Christmas Tree. This year, the Hotel is adorned by decorations made out of soda cans

Because of this year’s I can because of a can advocacy, the Hotel was able to turn-over a sufficient
amount of cash again to the foundation during their ceremonial Christmas Tree Lighting held last
November 14, 2017.

Several personalities such as Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, Department of Tourism Regional Director Joshur Judd Lanete, Retired Department of Tourism 7 director Donnie Roa graced the event.

Let us remember that there are three magical words that can make a difference in the world: YES, I CAN and at Cebu Parklane International Hotel, indeed, WE CAN.

Simple Ways to Control Pests at Home

While every organism in our environment serves a special purpose for our ecosystem, some creatures can be considered as a pest. Pest refers to undesirable organisms may it be insects or plants that can hinder and cause damage in any human activity and property. They are a nuisance and a threat. What’s worst is when such organisms that we can consider as pests put our health in danger. Thus, making our lives more difficult and our time challenging.

This weekend, our home was bombarded with flies. It wasn’t until my older brother saw a number of them in one area in our kitchen when we got very much alarmed. It was the first time that such phenomena happened in our home, particularly in that part of our kitchen. We had a difficult time figuring out what caused it since we always try our best to keep our kitchen clean. Dishes have been washed, the sink has been wiped and polished, the garbage can was emptied – we couldn’t point out what definitely triggered those flies to flock in our place.

We did panicked knowing that flies can be very harmful to our health which is why we didn’t waste our time to take action to shun away the pests.

It can be tricky dealing with pests especially when you have limited knowledge in controlling them. Fortunately, with the help of various Internet sources, we were able to come up and gather plausible solutions to our dilemma.

What we did first is to research about flies and its habits. It’s where I found out that flies have a breeding season. I’m not exactly sure about the incident in our kitchen, but it could be one or its main reason.

Learning a thing or two about the pest that you are dealing with is of great significance. Be it cockroaches, flies, or bumble bees, knowing something about the pest will help you in looking for the best solution to get rid of them.

After learning a handful of things about flies, we then check some of the available strategies that we can use to control them. What we’ve experienced isn’t something that I consider pleasant, but tossing the coin, it is somehow a blessing in a sense that it opened our eyes into controlling pests and in prioritizing our health and safety at all times.

Just in case something similar happens in your household, though I wouldn’t wish for such thing to happen to you, here are some of the things we did to control the pests. I hope that these can also help you the moment you have to deal with those stubborn pests.

1. Double-check the cleanliness of your household

I couldn’t stress cleaning enough. It helps in so many ways especially in preventing harmful insects from flocking anywhere in your house. Cleaning also gives you the chance to check if there are carcass somewhere in your attic that seeks instant attention.

2. Use homemade and organic pesticides

These days, it’s more than easy to go to your nearest supermarket and grab a pesticide of your choice. But, you have to be extremely careful. Using strong pesticide might cause more damage to your home than your simple aim of driving pests away. Some of the natural pesticides I know are garlic spray, apple cider vinegar spray, pepper spray, and high acidic alkaline water. These are not only cheaper but they are also much safer.

3. Ask pros for help

We are fortunate that our problem with the flies require us to call for pros, but if you think that least-toxic solutions aren’t enough, and that you’re running out of sensible solutions, don’t hesitate to ask help from the pros. It’s better than putting your health or your life at risk.

Every household may run into problems with pests so it’s best to be ready at all times. Just because it’s not as damaging as some people might think, we’ll never know what would happen in the near future. In such case, prevention and preparation come a long way.

What I’ve written above are just few of the simple solutions I know by experience. For more information, you may check some fact-based websites that could further and deepen your knowledge.

Love lots,

Tin

5 Tips to Make Cleaning More Fun

     My hectic schedule requires me to be always on the go and have something to do. I spend my weekdays working, while I focus on my graduate studies by the weekend. It wasn't easy and yes, I had trouble with my schedule. Nevertheless, I was able to survive the first semester and now I'm ready to face the second one.

      Despite my almost always occupied schedule, I make sure to find time to clean my room. Cleaning is imperative regardless of our status in life and a must for us to stay healthy. While I know for a fact that it is necessary, there are times that I need extra motivation to do all the cleaning. 

1. Listen to your favorite songs
My favorite songs inspire me to work. Listening calms my mind and sets me on the mood. What's playlist normally depends on what I am feeling but when I am cleaning, I make sure to play only the ones that put me on the groove. Rap songs by Kanye West and the electrying hits of Imagine Dragons also make me want to accomplish something (cleaning is not an exemption).

2. Make a to-do list
Making a list of your to-do things can help you organize your thoughts. It can also help you accomplish more and prevent you from forgetting something.Need to throw the garbage? go ahead and add it on your list.

3. Use fun cleaning materials
Make cleaning more exciting using functional yet awe-inspiring cleaning tools. I always love having a facial tissue with me wherever I go; just in case I badly need it. I have this simple pouch where I placed my personal cleaning materials, but if you're at home, try getting one of these cute free standing toilet paper holder that I found online. Aside from something that I find a cute and inspiring toilet paper holders, I personally like fun-looking cleaning materials like this super comical stand-alone double toilet paper holder.  You may try suiting it to your personality or to your home interiors. That way, you don't only have a cleaning material but also a home decor.

4. Clean in the morning
I love cleaning in the morning while my mind is calm and ready to conquer the day. Of course, I do have my breakfast and coffee before doing all the household chores. Trust me, cleaning in the morning after your morning tea of coffee does the trick! You'll get to accomplish more even before noon.

5. Grab a cleaning partner
Two is always better than one. Not just in tango but also in cleaning! I love cleaning by my own but I do appreciate it when I have somebody to help me. It's usually my younger brother who helps me and I'm always glad having him around. Got a partner? a child? a sibling? Ask him/her to clean with you and use the activity as a chance to bond with each other. You may then proceed in having a snack afterwards. Sounds like a good idea to me!

I hope these tips will help you on your next cleaning schedule. Sorry for my long hiatus! I promise to make it up to you this week.

love lots,

Tin