Numbers don't lie, and figures coming from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) are no exception.

According to WTTC’s Economic Impact Report (EIR), the Philippines earned $41 billion from travel and tourism and supported 7.8 million jobs in 2021--the first year after the Covid-19 pandemic struck the country.

"Here in Asia-Pacific the reopening is just beginning. I congratulate the Philippines, a nation that has shown determination and courage to reignite travel,” Julia Simpson, WTTC president and chief executive officer, said in a speech during the second day of the Global Summit Philippines.

Over 1,000 delegates from across the global travel and tourism sector attended the summit.

Still, it's wise to temper this promise of normalcy with a dose of caution. According to Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) Chairperson Dr. Nina Gloriani, the Philippines is still "not off the hook" as far as the threat of Covid-19 is concerned.

"We say over and over again that we are not yet off the hook and there are many other countries where the case is on the rise and they are just close to us. The threat is still there and if there are new emerging variants, vaccines plus the minimum public health standards will help," Gloriani said in Filipino during a televised briefing.

These are among the top stories this busy Thursday afternoon, April 21, 2022.

1) Living with Covid-19

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/vaccine-expert-we-are-not-yet-off-the-hook-the-threat-of-covid-19-remains/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/ample-funding-more-comprehensive-plan-for-safe-school-reopening-needed-as-ph-resumes-face-to-face-learning-survey/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/bong-go-urges-iatf-simplify-requirements-for-face-to-face-classes/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/denr-donates-land-to-ritm-for-expansion-on-medical-research/

2) Palace, VP race watch

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/mayor-isko-hurt-by-lies-insinuations-against-him-banayo/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/robredo-birthday-gift-1-million-volunteers-to-do-house-to-house-campaign-on-april-23/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/robredo-vows-to-fix-siquijors-power-supply-and-internet-woes/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/robredo-on-alleged-chaos-comment-i-never-said-that/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/robredo-maintains-no-arrangement-stance-as-political-foes-turn-into-new-allies/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/saras-camp-raps-vp-bet-bellos-anti-duterte-tirades-session-hall-stunt/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/ping-impressed-by-warm-welcome-in-iloilo/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/lacson-administration-will-not-discriminate-against-anti-vaxxers/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/robredo-gets-support-of-two-big-moreno-support-groups/

3) Election 2022

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/comelec-not-to-place-pilar-town-in-abra-under-its-control-despite-gun-violence-incident/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/robredo-gets-farmer-moms-vote-she-understands-the-struggle-of-the-poor/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/promising-survey-result-gives-pialago-hope-as-polls-draw-near/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/villar-guarantees-completion-of-bacolod-negros-occidental-economic-highway/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/ph-embassy-in-nairobi-provides-mobile-voting-facility-for-seychelles-overseas-voting-in-la-in-full-swing/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/comelec-expects-higher-overseas-voter-turnout-for-may-2022-polls-than-previous-elections/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/uniteam-senate-bet-villar-to-complete-panay-east-west-road/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/jv-ejercito-ofws-to-benefit-from-new-housing-healthcare-programs/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/explainer-how-ips-can-vote-in-the-may-2022-elections/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/gatchalian-grateful-for-governors-support-for-his-senate-re-election-bid/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/bautista-seeks-public-transport-inventory-for-effective-aid-distribution/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/comelec-372878-of-67-4-million-ballots-printed-defective/

4) New provincial bus schedule

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/20/villanueva-asks-agencies-to-reconsider-new-provincial-bus-sked/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/mmda-clarifies-role-on-provincial-bus-window-hours-assails-operators-over-confusion/

5) Lawmakers Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/poe-asks-water-concessionaires-to-intensify-efforts-to-keep-water-available-to-consumers/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/villanueva-wants-to-increase-senior-citizens-monthly-pension-to-p1000/

6) On vetoed SIM Card Registration Bill

7) World Travel and Tourism Council exec hails PH

8) Weather Update

9)  Wanna see sunspots

10) Earthquake!

11) Judiciary Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/selected-prison-records-as-cultural-treasures/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/wife-asks-ca-to-reconsider-denial-of-her-plea-to-release-her-husband/

12) World Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/climate-big-agriculture-slashing-insect-populations-by-half/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/shanghai-new-covid-19-cases-2494-confirmed-16407-asymptomatic/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/stranded-whale-rescued-in-east-china/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/new-study-finds-about-30-percent-of-covid-19-patients-develop-long-covid/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/s-africa-deploys-400-troops-to-flood-hit-region/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/mines-and-booby-traps-risky-return-home-for-ukrainians/

13) Business Corner

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/improved-broadband-key-to-successful-ph-hybrid-work/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/vista-land-to-spend-p2-trillion-to-develop-44-estates/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/govt-accredits-37-agri-agra-rural-financial-institutions/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/bpis-q1-profits-jump-almost-60/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/next-admin-should-avoid-more-debt-dof/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/doe-sees-30-b-capital-flow-from-offshore-wind-projects/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/ngcp-earmarks-p160-b-capex-for-projects-until-2025/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/firb-wants-uniform-charges-for-pogos/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/dti-no-price-hike-on-basic-goods-yet/

14) Metro Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/4-arrested-for-suspected-shabu-in-taguig/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/urban-vegetable-garden-opens-in-pasig-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/mayor-abby-included-in-tatlers-list-of-32-women-of-impact-2022/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/two-men-cited-for-not-wearing-face-masks-end-up-in-jail-after-making-a-bomb-threat-in-cavite/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/cayetano-leads-survey-for-mayor-in-taguig-close-race-for-vice-mayor/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/mayor-doc-willie-tandem-barnstorms-across-rizal-province/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/p1-6-m-worth-of-properties-destroyed-in-pasig-fire/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/father-son-with-p714k-shabu-fall-in-paranaque-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/mayor-aguilar-orders-massive-info-campaign-on-importance-of-booster-shot/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/off-duty-cop-saves-indian-national-from-robber/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/muntinlupas-most-wanted-person-arrested-in-leyte/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/search-is-on-for-outstanding-barangays-public-servants-in-bulacan/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/water-service-interruption-to-hit-parts-of-rizal-starting-april-21/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/20/palace-declares-may-21-as-special-non-working-day-in-malabon-city/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/20/rep-malapitan-thanks-president-duterte-for-endorsing-his-mayoral-bid/

15) Provincial Roundup

https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/30-wanted-persons-in-cordillera-arrested/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/motorcycle-rider-dies-back-rider-wounded-in-negros-city-accident/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/man-drowns-after-saving-six-companions-in-negros-town/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/w-visayas-schools-get-home-learning-kits-from-usaid/
https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/21/davao-city-reports-370-cases-of-dengue/