Page 46 - 2018 JAN-JUN KAAKBAY

46 January to June
2018

Philippines Promotes Fitness Tourism in Gran Fondo New York

The Philippine Department of Tourism-New York (PDOTNY) particpated in the Gran Fondo New York Expo last 18-
20 May 2018 at the Penn Pavillion in Manhattan. PDOTNY promoted and took registration for the Philippines’ first hosting of
the Gran Fondo cycling marathon which is scheduled on January 2019 in Bohol. The expo was a prelude to the GFNY Race
on 20 May held in Central Park.

The Philippine booth, featuring the famed Bamboo Bike, or Bambike attracted a good share of interested racers and
beginner cyclists. The Bambike is a socio-ecological enterprise
based in the Philippines that hand-makes bamboo bicycles with fair
trade labor and sustainable building practices. The Bamboo Bike
Builders (or “Bambuilders”) come from Gawad Kalinga, a non-profit
organization known for building sustainable communities in poverty-
stricken areas.

L-R: Economic Assistant Beverly Pellosis, GFNY cyclists Marvin According to Tourism Representative Ms. Susan Del
Dimaculangan and Arland Macaseib, Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz Mundo, “Hosting a GFNY Philippine event will bring both short- and
Popov, and Tourism Representative Susan Del Mundo work to attract long-term benefits, given the number of cyclists who are keen to
more participants to the GFNY Philippine leg during the GFNY Expo in experience and challenge themselves on a new marathon racing
Manhattan. (PCGNY Photo) course. GFNY’s events attract participants from different countries,
and each GFNY is locally owned, operated and produced, and
expected to bring economic benefits to the race locations.”

The Philippine Consulate General in New York was

represented by Vice Consul Khrystina Corpuz Popov and Economic

Assistant Beverly Pellosis.

Philippine Center New York Conducts
Emergency Medical Training

The Philippine Center Management Board (PCMB)
conducted a "Hands Only CPR, First Aid, and AED Training" last
Saturday, 20 January 2018, at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine
Center.

The training was organized by the PCMB to further enhance

the readiness and capability of its personnel in dealing with

unforeseen medical emergencies. Officers and staff of the Philippine Officers and staff of the PCMB and Philippine Consulate General in
Consulate General, as well as members of their family, participated in New York participate in the emergency medical training organized by
the training. the PCMB and the Philippine Nurses Association of New York

Possible emergency cases involving office personnel and

consular applicants, especially the elderly, were discussed and simulated. Among the topics covered were the new method

of administering CPR using only chest compressions (without mouth to mouth resuscitation), and providing first aid for cases

like bleeding, shock, insect bites, burns, and choking. The participants were also taught how to use the Automated External

Defibrillator (AED) which the PCMB acquired recently to be installed

in the lobby of the Center.

It was emphasized during the training that for serious cases,
personnel should always call 911 while administering first aid.
The training was held in partnership with the Philippine Nurses
Association of New York which provided doctors and nurses who
served as speakers and resource persons.

Resource persons from the PNA-NY demonstrate the proper way of Consul Arman Talbo, Manager of the Center, said that the
administering "Hands Only CPR". event is the first of a planned series of trainings and seminars for the
personnel of the different Philippine offices in the Center as part of
increasing awareness and preparedness in case of emergencies.
PCMB is organizing a security assessment and briefing to be held in
the second quarter of the year.