DOTr Orders Intensified Activation of Malasakit Help Desks for 'Undas'

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To keep the public safe in their annual journey to the provinces for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has directed for the intensified activation of Malasakit Help Desks (MHDs) at all transport hubs throughout the country.

The directive is in line with the conduct of "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2019," which will be ready to provide the public with assistance on their annual trek to the provinces from 25 October 2019 to 04 November 2019.

Expecting the heavy influx of passengers, commuters and motorists to various destinations across the country during ‘Undas,’ MHDs shall serve as a one-stop shop for passenger assistance in airports, seaports, train stations, and land terminals.

Assistance ranges from handling transport-related inquiries, complaints, and requests for assistance such as TNVS/taxi booking; facilitating refund of terminal fees; providing attestation of cause of trip cancellation or delays; delivering emergency medical assistance; to accepting reports of possible security threats, among others.

MHDs will also be distributing Malasakit Help Kits especially to pregnant women, women with children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). These kits contain drinks and light snacks, battery-operated fans, face towels, foldable fans, wet wipes, hand sanitizer of permitted volume, and ballpens, among others, that are meant to make travel more comfortable.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade stressed the importance of heightened activation of MHDs throughout the country.

“It is imperative that all our MHDs are properly manned and equipped to address the varied concerns and requests for assistance by the public. Napakaraming Pilipinong bumibiyahe tuwing Undas, at ayokong nagkukulang tayo sa pag-aasiste sa kanila. Gawin nating maginhawa at maayos ang kanilang paglalakbay,” Tugade emphasized.

Meanwhile, the DOTr reminded that students from elementary until college levels, including those enrolled in technical and vocational schools, are exempt from paying terminal fees in airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), as well as seaports managed by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

PPA also exempts senior citizens, PWDs, and active uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard from paying terminal fees at seaports under its purview. Medal of Valor awardees and their dependents will also have their terminal fees waived at all PPA-operated seaports and at all four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Ahead of the Oplan, Secretary Tugade thanked DOTr attached agencies that are in the front lines of ‘malasakit’ service.

“Pauna ‘ho akong nagpapaabot ng pasasalamat sa ating mga ahensya para sa inaasahang pagpapaigting ng serbisyo-publiko sa darating na Undas. Ipakita ‘ho natin ang ating malasakit sa ating mga kababayan,” Tugade said.

Participating agencies for "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2019" include the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), CAAP, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), MRT-3, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Philippine National Railways (PNR), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), PPA, Cebu Ports Authority (CPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Office for Transportation Security (OTS).

Dubai's Biggest Sporting Event‎s

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Let's start this article with a well-known fact: Dubai is a great city to live in. As one of the best and largest cities in the UAE, it provides its residents with an awesome standard of living, which is why so many people move here. But, let's follow up on this statement with a lesser-known one. And that is that Dubai is one of the most important cities in the UAE, if not the entire Middle East, when it comes to sports. Many important sporting events are held in Dubai that, unfortunately, don't get a lot of media coverage in the rest of the world. So, to battle this fact, let us take a closer look at some of Dubai's biggest sporting event‎s.

Notable Dubai's sporting events in history

To get a better understanding of the importance and development of sport in Dubai and the UAE, we'll start off by checking out some of the more important Dubai's sporting events in history. Their legacy should give you a better idea of how different sports influenced Dubai. And how, in certain periods, Dubai played a major role in the international sports scene.

2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup

People are often surprised to hear that cricket is a big sport in the UAE. Well, it is true. Even though people from Western countries don't play a lot of cricket, people from Asia seem to love it. One of the biggest events held in cricket was the 2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. This event hosted sixteen international teams that played terrific games throughout the cup. In the end, South Africa beat Pakistan and the Man of the Series was awarded to captain Aiden Markram. The event sparked a larger interest for cricket in the UAE, which still holds strong to this day.



Some of the world's best cricket is played in Dubai.

Alt: Cricket players during a game.

2013 DP World Tour Championship

When thinking about golfing, Dubai usually isn't the first city that comes to mind. Well, that is if you are unaware of the 2013 DP World Tour Championship. Every golfing fan is aware of the European Tour that ends with a championship at Jumeriah Golf Estates in Dubai. Although the tournament originally began in 2009, it didn't take its true form for a couple of years. This is why 2013 is so important for golf in the UAE. It is the year in which DP World Tour Championship was truly set in motion.

2014 ONE Fighting Championship 19: Reign of Champions

Even though ONE FC is experiencing exponential growth in the MMA world, this was not always so. Not so long ago, ONE FC was still a developing organization, struggling to compete with giants like the UFC and Bellator. Luckily, they decided to focus their attention on Asia, and they soon found fans in almost every Asian country. So, the 2014 ONE Fighting Championship 19 was a big event. Both established fans and newcomers to MMA welcomed the first ONE FC fighting championship in Dubai and enjoyed some thrilling fights. Our favorite is the debut of Bellator Champion Ben Asker vs Nobutatsu Suzuki.



MMA is becoming bigger and bigger, especially in the UAE.

Alt: MMA fighters grappling in Dubai showing that the next ONE FC will be one of Dubai's biggest sporting event‎s.

1981 Dubai Grand Prix

It is hard to describe the true importance of the 1981 Dubai Grad Prix. By today's standards, this pioneering event may look small and irrelevant. After all, almost all of the drivers were British and with a token Belgian driver that was brought in. So you can hardly call this an international event. But, it was precisely so. The coverage that the British televisions brought to the Grand Prix helped Dubai become a known phenomenon in the western world. Mind you, this was 1981. Even a brief study of Dubai history will show you that a lot has changed since then. And, by our estimate, this change was in no small part due to the 1981 Dubai Grand Prix. Which is why we mark it as one of Dubai's biggest sporting event‎s.

Upcoming Dubai's biggest sporting event‎s

Now that we are aware of some of Dubai's biggest sporting event‎s, let us take a look at what is coming in the near future. Keep in mind that the sports scene and venues are constantly growing in Dubai, which is why this list should soon become bigger and bigger.

Dubai International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2019

There is hardly a Brazilian jiu-jitsu fan that is unaware of the following that BJJ has in Dubai. It is truly a phenomenon of how this Brazilian sport became such a big deal in Dubai. So much so that there are thousands of both kids and adults that practice it regularly. This is why the Dubai International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship in December 2019 is going to be a big deal. Hundreds, if not thousands of competitors come every year. Due to this, there are usually some excellent matches, as the average skill level of competitors ends up being pretty high. And, who knows, we may even witness a future ONE FC champion trying their BJJ skills. The only thing we know is that the bigger ONE FC becomes, the more great athletes we are going to have in Dubai.



The Dubai International Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship in December 2019 is bound to be one of Dubai's biggest sporting event‎s.

Alt: Two BJJ fighters grappling on the ground.

Desert Warrior Challenge in Dubai 2020

Desert Warrior Challenge in Dubai is an event like no other. Dubai Warriors test their physical strengths, teamwork, and mental strength on various obstacle courses. And, as the organizers see it, Warriors can range from enthusiastic kids to hardcore athletes. So, if you are a fan of difficult obstacle courses, teamwork, and overall badassery, this is definitely an event you should check out.

Dubai World Cup 2020 (Horse racing)

The Dubai World Cup holds the record as having the biggest prize pool in the world with $35 million. This gorgeous event first has a carnival that has 10 meetings between January and March. Then, on March 28, the running of the Dubai World Cup starts. If you are a fan of horse racing or would like to see the true beauty of this ancient sport, you should book a ticket as soon as possible. This is truly one of Dubai's biggest sporting event‎s to this day.

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Author bio:

Robert Hooker is a BJJ and fitness trainer, helping people grow both their martial arts skills and overall fitness. After working as one of the Dubai Personal Trainers for many years, he is more than capable of providing helpful input in all things regarding martial arts and sports.

Solo Travel Tips For Egypt

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Egypt is one of those countries that most people wish to visit at least once. It's a classic 'bucket list' vacation choice. There aren't many places left on the planet where you can see one of the seven wonders of the ancient world with your own eyes, but the Great Pyramid of Giza is still standing tall and attracts millions of visitors every year. The land of Egypt has played a vital role in the history of our whole civilization, and you owe it to yourself to find out what it has to offer.

Some solo travelers are put off the idea of visiting Egypt because of the misconception that it isn’t safe. This isn’t particularly fair. As with many countries in the region it occupies, Egypt has seen some trouble and strife in recent years, but it’s currently considered to be safe to visit. Not only that, but it relies on tourism as a major contributor to the well-being of its economy. Egypt doesn’t just want tourists - it needs them.

With flights to Egypt available once again, and a tourism industry waiting to welcome you with open arms, it's time to think about planning your trip. Egypt is a beautiful country, and one with a character and history so significant that it's seeped into every area of our mainstream culture. It was the lore of Egyptian mythology that persuaded movie-goers to head out to see 'The Mummy' in their thousands. It's the lore of Egypt today that has people flocking to play Egyptian-themed games on mobile slots websites like Late Casino. From the traditionalism of 'Ancient Egypt' to the more modern style of 'Cleo's Wish,' the iconography of Egypt has proven to be a great draw for mobile slots designers. Why let mobile slots players have all the fun, though? Why not go and see what all the fuss is about for yourself?

We appreciate that if you're a solo traveler, you'll still have a few concerns about safety and practicality even if your tour operator reassures you that everything is safe, so here's a few basic tips that we've been able to compile based on experience.

Always Use Uber

Uber might sometimes get bad press in other parts of the world, but in Egypt, they're a lifesaver. Without wanting to be disrespectful, the standards of driving in Egypt can be a little erratic, and that goes for the local taxi operators as much as the everyday civilians. Uber has been expanding its operations within the country to try and make things a little easier for travelers. There are several benefits to using Uber while you're there - not least that you'll get an estimate of your fare before you set off, which means less haggling while you're on the road. It also means it's less likely you'll be taken 'the long way round' in order to maximize your fare. On top of that, from a security point of view, both you and Uber know who your driver is, and where you're supposed to be headed. That can be particularly comforting for single female travelers.

Wear Sunglasses Outdoors

This isn’t just because of the weather, and nor is it because we want you to look like a celebrity while you’re there. If you’re headed to a tourist-heavy part of Egypt, you’ll encounter dozens of traders, market-stall owners, and other people trying to part you from your money. They keep a particularly keen eye out for people on their own, because they make for an easier target. Making eye contact with you is the first stage of trying to lure you into a conversation. If you’re wearing a pair of reflective sunglasses, they can’t make eye contact with you. It won’t be one hundred percent effective, but it will reduce the amount of hassle you’ll encounter.

Book Tours Through Your Hotel

For reasons we've never been able to explain adequately, it's more expensive to book tours before you arrive in Egypt than it is once you've reached your hotel. You'll save money by doing it all once you're in the country. Don't believe your package operator when they tell you everything will sell out - it never does! If you're staying with a reputable hotel, part of their service to you will include arranging tours to popular locations - and they'll undertake vetting of the people and companies they work with. That means you'll get a better quality of tour and guide, and you'll have the security of knowing you can take it up with the hotel if something isn't to your liking.

Research Each Area Before You Visit It

Some parts of Egypt are deeply conservative. Other areas are accustomed to seeing high numbers of western tourists, and are therefore more relaxed about what they expect from you. That means in some places you'll be free to drink alcohol, and in others, it will be strictly off-limits. Expectations of dress code will vary from location to location, too. You don't want to offend your hosts by doing the wrong thing in the wrong place. If you're in doubt, ask your hotel or your tour operator. In general, consider dressing more conservatively than you do at home. Your hosts will appreciate your politeness and consideration.

Learn A Few Basic Words

Unless you already have a good grasp of it, learning Arabic before your trip isn't going to be possible! Here's a handy phrase which will help you immeasurably:- "Shoukran." It's pronounced "shock-ran," and it means "thank you." Whenever you receive a service of any kind from any person, make sure to thank them. On the other hand, if you're being hassled or pestered about something you're not interested in, say "la shoukran." As you've probably guessed, that means "no thank you," and it will have the desired effect. "Salam-Alaikum" is also a helpful phrase to have in your vocabulary; it means "peace be with you," and is a standard greeting within the country.

Aside from all of the above, just relax and have fun. The Egyptian people are broadly friendly, and happy to see you. If they can speak a little English, they'll probably try to engage you in polite conversation. If they do, don't be nervous of them - they probably just want to thank you for visiting their country!