Longest Bridge in Mindanao is now open!

 

THE STORY BEHIND THE BEFORE IT FINISHES LINE

Top officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), alongside local leaders from Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte, held on July 4, 2024, the final concrete pouring ceremony between the two (2) extra-dosed main bridge of the Panguil Bay Bridge Project (PBBP).

This significant event saw the participation of DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan; Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain; DPWH Undersecretaries Eugenio R. Pipo Jr. and Carlos G. Mutuc; Assistant Secretary Rey Peter Gille; Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal Sr.; Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo; Ozamis City Mayor Henry “Indy” F. Oaminal Jr.; Korea Export Import Bank (KEXIM) Deputy Country Director Yun Hak Lee; Project Directors Teresita V. Bauzon, Soledad R. Florencio, Benjamin A. Bautista, Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes, and Najib D. Dilangalen; DPWH Regional Office 10 Director Zenaida Tan; Stakeholders Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario; and other public works and locals officials and staff.

The topping-off ceremony marked the completion of the bridge’s pre-stressed concrete box girder between pylon 1 in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, and tower 2 in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, signifying a crucial milestone for the project.

Secretary Bonoan highlighted the importance of this milestone, stating that it brings the vision of a fully connected Panguil Bay Bridge closer to reality, promising numerous possibilities for the nation.

In his opening remarks, Senior Undersecretary Sadain praised the final construction stage as a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, heralding a new era of connectivity and economic growth for Mindanao and the entire Philippines.

The Panguil Bay Bridge, soon to be the longest bridge in Mindanao at 3.169 kilometers, includes a 320-meter extra-dosed main bridge, a 1,920-meter pre-stressed concrete girder approach bridge, and a 929-meter road.

The bridge is expected to catalyze economic activities, improve quality of life, and open new opportunities for trade, tourism, and investment, significantly benefiting local communities and contributing to national development.

The project is implemented by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations under supervision of Senior Undersecretary Sadain and more specifically by the Roads Management Cluster II (Multilateral) led by former Project Director Sharif Madsmo H. Hasim and now headed by OIC Project Director Bauzon.

It was funded by a loan agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea through the Korea Export-Import Bank Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEDCF) under Loan Agreement No. PHL-18, the Panguil Bay Bridge stands as a beacon of international cooperation and shared progress.

Despite commencing civil works at the height of the pandemic and facing significant challenges in weather conditions, material supply, and health restrictions, the DPWH relentlessly pushed the design and build contractor, Namkwang Engineering & Construction Corporation, in joint venture with Kukdong Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. and Gumgwang Construction Co., Ltd., along with the project consultant, Yooshin Engineering Corporation, in joint venture with Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants Ltd. and Kyong-Ho Engineering & Architects Co., Ltd., to exert their utmost effort to accelerate the construction activities of this infrastructure flagship project.

Costing ₱7.375 Billion, the project has an overall weighted accomplishment of 93.3 percent and targetted for completion within this third quarter of 2024.

 

Here are five lesser-known facts about old houses built between 1916 and 2024

 

1. Hidden Storage Spaces: Many older homes, especially those built in the early 20th century, were designed with hidden or built-in storage spaces, such as secret compartments in staircases or concealed cabinets in walls. These were often used to maximize storage in smaller homes or to hide valuables.

2. Original Materials Now Rare: Some materials commonly used in early 20th-century homes, such as heart pine flooring or old-growth wood, are now rare due to overharvesting. These materials are highly sought after in renovations or restorations because of their durability and unique character.

3. Uncommon House Shapes: During the early 20th century, some homes were built in unconventional shapes, such as octagonal or round houses. These designs were believed to improve air circulation and light distribution, although they never became mainstream.

4. Historical Markers and Designations: Some homes built during this period have become historically significant and are now protected by local or national designations. Owning such a home often comes with restrictions on renovations to preserve the original architectural features.

5. Evolving Paint Technology: The paint used in homes from the early 20th century often contained lead and was prone to fading or chipping. Advances in paint technology over the decades have led to more durable, eco-friendly, and colorfast paints, though preserving original finishes can be a challenge in historic homes.

The Mansion in Baguio City becomes the Presidential Museum

The Mansion in Baguio City becomes the Presidential Museum

The Presidential Museum at the Mansion House is now open to the public.

It recently underwent a renovation to showcase the vibrant and 

diverse history of Philippine Presidents, housing a vast collection 

of priceless memorabilia, including presidential attire, footwear, 

flags and busts sculpted in the likeness of the country’s former leaders.

 

How to make the best thumbnail for my youtube videos?

Creating an attention-grabbing thumbnail is crucial for attracting viewers to your YouTube videos. Here’s how to make the best thumbnail for your YouTube videos:

1. Use Bright, Bold Colors:

• Why: Bright colors stand out in the YouTube feed and draw attention. Use contrasting colors for the background and text to make your thumbnail pop.
• How: Use color schemes that complement your video’s topic (e.g., bright reds, blues, and yellows work well).

2. Include a Clear, High-Quality Image:

• Why: The main image is the first thing viewers notice. Make sure it’s relevant and high-resolution.
• How: Use a clean, sharp image from the video, or stage a relevant photo. Faces with emotions (e.g., surprise, happy) can create a personal connection.

3. Add Text for Context:

• Why: Adding short, bold text helps clarify the video’s content at a glance.
• How: Use large, easy-to-read fonts with 3-5 words max (e.g., “Latest Subway Progress” or “Unseen Footage”). Avoid cluttering the thumbnail with too much text.

4. Incorporate a Logo or Branding:

• Why: Consistent branding builds recognition. A small logo in the corner can strengthen your brand identity.
• How: Place your logo in a non-intrusive area, like a corner, so it doesn’t overwhelm the main content.

5. Show Key Visuals Related to Your Topic:

• Why: Viewers want to see what the video is about. Showing elements like maps, subway routes, or construction progress for a Metro Manila Subway update can create intrigue.
• How: Use screenshots or custom graphics that showcase important scenes or themes from your video.

6. Use Emotion or Action in the Thumbnail:

• Why: Thumbnails with action or emotion engage viewers and build curiosity.
• How: If relevant, include action shots (e.g., workers building the subway) or emotional reactions (e.g., your surprised or excited face).

7. Keep it Simple & Not Overcrowded:

• Why: Overly complicated thumbnails can be confusing and difficult to read, especially on mobile.
• How: Focus on one or two elements that represent your video’s core message, avoiding too much text or too many images.

8. Optimize for Mobile:

• Why: Most YouTube views come from mobile devices. Make sure the thumbnail is easily viewable on small screens.
• How: Test the thumbnail on both mobile and desktop views to ensure all elements are clear and visible.

9. Consistency in Thumbnails:

• Why: A consistent style helps build your brand on YouTube, making your videos more recognizable.
• How: Use the same fonts, color schemes, and layout styles across all your thumbnails.

Tools to Use:

• Canva: A free tool that offers templates and customizable designs for YouTube thumbnails.
• Photoshop: For more advanced users, Photoshop gives you greater control over editing.
• Snappa: A simple drag-and-drop graphic design tool, great for beginners.

Pro Tip:

Always test different styles and track which thumbnails get the most clicks (CTR) to see what works best for your audience!

Is TAGS can really help get more youtube views? what are they used for?

Yes, tags can help improve your YouTube video’s visibility, though their impact is less significant than other factors like content quality, titles, and thumbnails. Tags are used to provide YouTube with additional information about your video, helping the platform understand your video’s topic and context. They play a role in how your video is indexed, recommended, and found through searches, which can increase views.

What Tags Are Used For:

1. Video Search Optimization (SEO):

   • Tags help YouTube understand the main topic of your video and match it with relevant searches. When someone searches for a keyword that matches one of your tags, your video may appear in the search results.

2. Recommendations & Related Videos:

   • Tags can influence how YouTube suggests your video in the “related videos” section. If your tags are similar to popular videos, YouTube may recommend your content next to those.

3. Correct Categorization:

   • Sometimes, YouTube may misinterpret the context of your video based on its content alone. Tags help clarify your video’s category and subject, making sure it’s shown to the right audience.

4. Broader Discoverability:

   • Tags can help expand your reach by including synonyms, related terms, or broader topics that you may not have covered in your title or description. This increases the chances of your video being discovered in a variety of searches.

Best Practices for Using Tags:

1. Use Relevant Keywords:

   • Include key terms that describe your video accurately. For example, if your video is about the "Metro Manila Subway Project," use tags like “Metro Manila Subway,” “Philippines infrastructure,” “subway project update,” etc.

2. Incorporate Long-Tail Keywords:

   • Long-tail keywords are specific phrases that are more likely to match what users search for (e.g., “Metro Manila Subway 2024 update”).

3. Include Synonyms & Variations:

   • Use different ways of describing your content to cover a broader range of searches. For example, if your video is about “pork BBQ,” you could also include “barbecue,” “grilled pork,” or “Filipino BBQ.”

4. Don’t Overload with Irrelevant Tags:

   • Avoid adding irrelevant or misleading tags just to get more views. YouTube’s algorithm is smart and may penalize videos that use tags unrelated to their content.

5. Use Brand Tags:

   • Include your channel or brand name in the tags to help people find all of your content easily.

Do Tags Guarantee More Views?

Tags alone won’t guarantee more views, but when used strategically, they can help improve your video’s visibility and discoverability. Combined with other SEO factors like a compelling title, detailed description, good thumbnails, and high-quality content, tags can contribute to better search ranking and more views.

What's the best time to upload on youtube?

The best time to upload on YouTube depends on your target audience's habits, but studies and insights from successful YouTubers suggest the following general guidelines:

Best Days to Upload:

• Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are considered the best days to upload, as users tend to be more active during these days and the weekend.

Best Time to Upload:

• Weekdays (Monday to Friday):
  • Between 2 PM and 4 PM in your target audience's time zone. This ensures your video is available for peak viewing times in the evening, around 7 PM to 10 PM when many people are online.
• Weekends (Saturday and Sunday):
  • Between 9 AM and 11 AM is ideal because many users tend to watch videos earlier in the day on weekends.

Factors to Consider:

1. Audience Location:

   • Check your YouTube Analytics to find out where your audience is based. Uploading at times when they're most active in their time zone can significantly boost your views.

2. Audience Behavior:

   • If your content is aimed at students, they might be more active in the afternoons and evenings. If your target is working professionals, uploading just before they get off work might be ideal.

3. Experimentation:

   • Try uploading at different times to see when your audience is most engaged, and adjust based on the analytics from your own channel.

By experimenting and analyzing the data, you'll be able to refine your upload schedule for optimal performance.