Senator Visits Thailand to Study Their Universal Healthcare System

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros went on a study visit to Thailand this week to learn more about its universal health care system and health promotion policy.

In a two day meeting co-organized with the Health Justice International, Hontiveros, who is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, spoke with civil society organizations as well as government health experts from Thai Health, a government corporation set up to encourage health-seeking behavior and funded through the proceeds of excise taxes on liquor and cigarettes.

"I'm here to learn from the best practices and hopefully apply them to our country. The Thai experience is a good model. Spending on health care will have long term benefits and will reduce spending for curative or tertiary health care in the future," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros explained that her trip complements the Department of Health's (DoH) own study visit to Cuba to learn how its government is running its health service.

"We should learn from the best health models. I am eager to share what I've learned from my study visit to Thailand to the DoH, the same way that I'm looking forward to hear the report of our health officials who visited Cuba," Hontiveros said.

Harm reduction strategies in confronting the drug problem
Hontiveros also met with officials from agencies of the United Nations (UN) to discuss harm reduction strategies and to help in developing a public health framework in confronting the country's drug problem. The Senator visited a support center for drug users and heard testimonies from rehabilitated users themselves.

It was reported that Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra declared a "police-centric" war on drugs in 2003. In June 2016, the war on drugs was declared a failure.

"Upang maging matagumpay ang ating kampanya laban sa ilegal na droga, importante na pag-aralan natin ang ibat ibang modelo na nagtagumpay, at yaong mga nabigo. The problem of illegal drugs is a multi-faceted issue. Thus, the need to address it through different lens, particularly through a public health framework," Hontiveros concluded.

Food Exploration on Earth and the Outer Space on TLC

Wazzup Pilipinas!

To boldly go where no chef...has ever been before.

The unique programme Heston’s Dinner in Space follows the adventures of Chef Heston Blumenthal and his team as they work closely with the UK Space Agency, ESA and NASA, attempting to revolutionize the previously limited world of space food.

Challenged by British Astronaut Tim Peake, Heston creates seven dishes that remind Tim of home, helping to combat the emotional impact of the astronaut’s journey. In one of the biggest challenges of his career, Heston goes one step further to create the first-ever 'dinner party in space'. Tim goes on a nostalgic journey of his childhood with every bite as Heston provides much-needed comfort food and creates the quintessential cup of tea – the first to be sipped in outer space.

Follow Heston's trials and tribulations behind creating meals that can be consumed outside of the Earth's atmosphere, culminating in an out-of-this-world dining experience where his creations are eaten live on the International Space Station. Heston’s Dinner in Space premieres September 5, Monday, at 8:05pm on TLC.

TravelFakie Your Way to Free Jetstar Flights

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A play on the traditional selfie, the #TravelFakie is taken to give your followers the impression that you are travelling abroad or even having the adventure of a lifetime, when in fact, you are still on home ground.

The trend, which originated in Indonesia, is picking up pace across Southeast Asia.

From posing in front of the “Singapore Flyer” to standing near the Mall of Asia eye in Philippines, to lounging by the “Mekong River” while actually posing beside the Klang River in Kuala Lumpur, the possibilities for deception are endless.

Consumers even go as far as donning “I Love SG” T-shirts or traditional Vietnamese conical hats to make their #TravelFakie more convincing.

Fake no more, because Jetstar is inviting travel buffs across Southeast Asia to submit their best #TravelFakies, and the most creative “fakeationers” will be rewarded with a trip to their dream Jetstar destination.

“Jetstar’s successful marketing campaign ‘Because You Can’ has made the selfie central to the Jetstar travel experience.”

“This latest selfie craze is fun, creative and imaginative. We are excited to turn some of the #TravelFakies into a real travel experience for our customers, said Ms. Chantal van Wijnbergen, Jetstar’s Regional Marketing Manager, SEA.

Contestants can use props, pose with friends or even utilize Photoshop to create the most comical and ridiculous #TravelFakie.

For those up to the challenge, post your best #TravelFakie and tag us on Instagram (@jetstarasia), Facebook (@JetstarAsiaAirways) or Twitter (@Jetstar_Asia), explain where and what you are faking, include #TravelFakie and #ActuallyInPhilippines.

The top two entries from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore will each win a pair of Jetstar flights to the desired faked destination.

Fake it till you make it at www.jetstartravelfakie.com. For more information, visit Jetstar Asia on Twitter viawww.twitter.com/jetstarairways.