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Thursday, October 31, 2019

Light up the Christmas spirit and may your SM Mallidays sparkle at SM Supermalls!





The echoing sound of Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas in Our Hearts” only means one thing: ‘ber’ months have finally arrived! This September 16, SM Supermalls begins to light up the holiday season as it kicks off the country’s much-awaited Christmas countdown!

“This Christmas season, friends and families can look forward to bigger and brighter events, installations, and activities at SM, the ‘Home of Family Reunions’, as we continue to light up everyone’s lives in SM malls nationwide,” said SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan.

Here’s what to expect at SM starting this September to get you into the holiday spirit:

1. Christmas Gift Ideas. Now is the perfect time for an early Christmas gift shopping! Starting September 15, shoppers may get their holiday Christmas baskets starting at PhP350 from SM Markets or an awesome selection of gifts with Watsons Gift Sets for as low as PhP99 starting October 1.

2. Holiday Deals. Get up to 50% off on children’s wear, shoes, accessories, and toys with the Babies & Kids’ Sale at The SM Store from October 1 to 31. Haven’t shopped for your Christmas party outfits yet? Mallgoers can also score great deals with up to 70% off at SM’s Pre-Holiday Sale from October 25 to November 3! 

3. #DearSMSanta. Send your Christmas wishes to SM Santa and get a chance to be one of the 60 lucky winners who will have their wishes granted with the #DearSMSanta promo. To see the full mechanics, visit www.smsupermalls.com/dearsmsanta/. 

4. Spotify Holiday Tunes. It is time to put your holiday tunes on queue! Set the mood by listening to SM Supermalls’ Christmas-curated Spotify playlist featuring your favorite holiday jams including SM’s Christmas Jingle, “SM Mallidays”!

5. Spirit of Giving. Christmas is also about sharing love and happiness with the less fortunate. For only PhP200, you can buy two SM Bears of Joy – one bear to keep, while the other to be donated to the mall’s chosen charity.

Light up the Christmas spirit and may your SM Mallidays sparkle at SM Supermalls! For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com.

Samsung Opens a One-day Pop-up Restaurant Using a 6-in-1 Cooking Appliance






With everyone’s busy lifestyle, it’s hard to find the time to create dishes that are healthy and delicious. Many would opt for instant or ready-to-heat food, which may not be the most nutritious choice. Samsung's Smart Oven aims to make mealtimes easier by allowing individuals to do it all with one handy device. Because of this latest cooking innovation, anyone can now cook their favorite dishes for any type of occasion anytime. Samsung has created a solution for quick and healthier meals that can adapt to anyone's lifestyle.




To showcase its culinary capabilities, Samsung Digital Appliances built a pop-up smart kitchen and restaurant for mall-goers and media at Robinsons Magnolia. “We developed the idea of setting up this pop-up restaurant because we wanted people to experience first-hand what the Smart Oven can do,” says Household Appliances Group Head Mon Medina. “Homemakers don’t need to go to a culinary school to start cooking or have the fanciest ingredients to create a scrumptious meal.”



In this first-ever Samsung pop-up restaurant, the Smart Oven was put into action as guests got to taste a wide variety of dishes. To start off, guests were served Roasted Eggplant and Pepper Dip with Pita Bread for appetizer. Then they got to choose their main course from a selection that includes Baked Spiced Chicken Breast with Creamed Spinach, Texas Style Pulled Pork Sandwich, SlimFry Honey-Sriracha Chicken Wings, Beef Kebabs with Garlic Cream Sauce, Charsiu BBQ pork, and Salmon Teriyaki Fillet. Finally, for dessert, guests were treated with Dark Chocolate brownies. All these amazing dishes were cooked and prepared using the Samsung Smart Oven.





A live cooking demonstration was also held to guide the guests with how easy it is to cook a meal using the Smart Oven. Dishes cooked during the event were based on the soon-to-be-launched Do It All Cookbook in partnership with Samsung and Maggi. During the live demo, the chef was able to prepare Steamed Zesty Garlic Shrimp, Ribeye steak, and Baked Apple Cobbler, using just the Smart Oven.




The device is a 6-in-1 kitchen partner that can produce virtually any dish with its Hot Blast technology that reduces cooking times significantly. Powerful hot air is blown through multiple air-holes directly onto food, so it’s cooked evenly, retaining the crisp texture on the outside but still juicy on the inside. It also has a Cook with Ease presets that makes it easier to use by individuals who aren’t kitchen savvy. With these two features, there’s no more excuse for not having tasty and healthy meals at home. This innovation is breaking the barriers in cooking technology as it makes meal preparation faster and more convenient.




Beyond this, its Grill function evenly distributes heat so perfectly grilled and browned meat are achieved without having to set up an entire grill at home. Those looking for healthier alternatives meanwhile, can use the Slim-Fry™ Technology, which can cook meals with less oil. They can also try the Power Steam function for nourishing ways to prepare fish, chicken breast, and vegetables.



Whipping up scrumptious desserts is also possible with the Smart Oven. Aspiring and expert bakers can design sweet confections through the Convection Mode. It can keep the oven’s temperature even and regulated so treats are always soft and moist. Moreover, they can also create homemade yogurt or dough with the Fermentation Technology.

  


“It will amaze everyone with the different functions it could do. It will surely change the way people see cooking innovation. We want everyone to be inspired and get excited to start cooking, whether for their families or for anyone looking to have a healthier lifestyle. We just want people to know that by using Samsung's Smart Oven, we don't need to worry anymore about the work and time we need to put in cooking" shares Head of Product Marketing of Samsung Digital Appliances, Stephanie Chua.



With the Smart Oven, homemakers, young professionals, and students living in condominiums can feel the joy of cooking healthier meals with just one device. Now, it’s easier to be a kitchen master and experience tasty food, no matter how busy the schedule.



The Samsung Smart Oven has two models: The 35-Liter Smart Oven (MC35J8088LT/TC), is priced at P29,995 and the 32-Liter Smart Oven (MC32K7055KT/TC) is priced at P15,995.



The Do It All Cookbook will be available this November and can only be availed upon purchasing a MC35J8088LT/TC or MC32K7055KT/TC Smart Oven. It contains 35 easy-to-follow recipes specially made for the Samsung Smart Oven.




For more information on the Samsung Smart Oven, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/cooking-appliances/microwave-ovens/ and like SamsungPH on Facebook.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Get a chance to own the items these celebrities once loved to be loved again only at Carousell Philippines


Curious to know what everyday items celebrities Mari Jasmine, Erwan Heussaff, and Moira Dela Torre love the most?

Take a glimpse into their world through the items they once loved, and even get a chance to own these as they participate in Carousell Philippines’ Reboxing campaign.

The campaign is part of Carousell’s new tagline launch, “Everyone Wins,” where winning can be as simple as both sides getting a great deal, or as meaningful as finding new connections and realizing ambitions.



As part of the launch, Carousell’s partner celebrities will put their pre-loved items in boxes and give these away through a consumer contest on the Carousell app. Food, fitness, and travel vlogger Erwan will rebox some of his favorite cooking equipment. Television host and model Mari Jasmine will give away travel essentials and a trip to Siargao which she will be joining. Singer-songwriter Moira will be giving away her old guitar and treat the winner to a private jamming session.

According to Carousell Philippines general manager Raffy Montemayor, the Reboxing campaign is a great way to dramatize the meaning behind the company’s new tagline, “Everyone Wins.”

“Passing on a pre-loved item to another user who actually searched for it in the Carousell app is a situation where everyone wins. The seller is able to pass on an item he once loved for a minimal price, and the buyer gets something he really needs without spending so much. In the process, they not only close a good deal, they also forge a connection with someone whose interests are similar to theirs,” he said.

To join the Reboxing movement, Carousell users can post a comment on the rebox listing detailing why the items in the chosen rebox will matter to them. At the end of the contest, Carousell will pick the best comment and declare the winner for each of the boxes.

You can support the cause by interacting on any of the social media posts under the hashtag #EveryoneWins. You may also be part of the movement by passing on your item to someone who may benefit from it. Simply list your own box to the Carousell app at ₱0 with the hashtag #EveryoneWins, share it on your own social media channel, and nominate three friends by tagging them to keep the ball rolling!

Carousell’s Reboxing campaign also aims to approach sustainability in a socially relevant manner – instead of unboxing new things, and consequently adding to the waste, these celebrities are reboxing pre-loved items that will go towards helping someone experience new possibilities.

Get a chance to own the items these celebrities once loved to be loved again only at Carousell Philippines’ website https://www.carousell.ph/ or through their app available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Get your phone protected with new OtterBox lineup for the 2019 Apple iPhones



Apple continues to innovate its portfolio of smartphones with the new iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. OtterBox, the No. 1-selling smartphone case brand in the U.S., adds personal style and protection to any Apple device with a wide portfolio of case styles, colors and graphics. 1

OtterBox cases are available now for Apple iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.2



“Apple’s newest phones deliver on innovation with cutting-edge camera features, stunning displays and even longer lasting batteries,” said OtterBox CEO Jim Parke. “OtterBox delivers trusted protection while allowing all of these features to be used and showcased to their fullest potential. With a large range of protective and stylish case options, OtterBox offers a unique style for any lifestyle.”


Symmetry Series protects against daily drops and bumps with a slim profile and trusted protection. Symmetry Series is rocking trendy new case graphics and day-to-night solids to match any mood or outfit. Show off your device with a clear case for sleek Apple iPhone protection. 
The ultimate in protective cases, Defender Series is made for everything from rough-and-tumble adventures to everyday life. Defender Series is available in new colors and graphics.
Otter + Pop pairs OtterBox protection with a built-in PopGrip for maximum fun. Available in Symmetry Series and Defender Series, Otter + Pop comes in a variety of new colors with endless swappable PopTop options. 
Strada Series offers luxurious, leather-clad protection in a wallet style case. The folio design covers the screen to protect against scratches and can hold a credit card and ID. 


Commuter Series is made for life on the go. With a hard outer shell and inner silicone slipcover, Commuter Series offers protection against drops and bumps when at home, work, on the train or anywhere in between. 
Amplify screen protection keeps the brilliant display on Apple’s latest phones free from scratches and dings. Engineered by Corning, Amplify is five times more scratch resistant than the leading glass alternative to keep the screen crystal clear drop after drop.3 

OtterBox cases for Apple iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are available now on www.tenkiebox.com.





Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Loc&Stor 24/7 releases “The Secret” and “One Night Only”—two short films on family love, heartache, and new beginnings




Loc&Stor 24/7 has released two compelling branded short films directed by award-winning director Chris Cahilig, featuring stories of family love, loss, heartache, and new beginnings. 

Moving on from the passing of someone we love is never easy—not when there is so much to miss and look back to. But “The Secret” shows a way to help ease the heartache . . . through the memories our loved ones left behind. 



In this moving short film, Loc&Stor 24/7 shares the story of a family still aching from the loss of the father and head of the household. The teenage children, mystified about their mother’s late hours coming home, start worrying about her whereabouts. Suspecting the worst, they fear that she has ‘moved on’ so soon after their father’s death. 

As they conspire to follow her one night, they discover their mother’s ‘secret’—her nightly ‘dates’ with their father at a Loc&Stor 24/7 storage unit that contains the family’s treasured possessions. Scenes from the past move them to tears, but this time, both mom and kids agree that they can always go somewhere to keep their love for their father alive.



The Secret” teaches us that while we need to move on from personal loss, there will always be our cherished memories to comfort us—and Loc&Stor 24/7 to keep those memories safe. 
Starring in the film is Fe Sagulimba as the mother, Sean See as the son and Thalia Padilla as the daughter. 



On the other hand, “One Night Only” is a light and quirky story of millennial love that gets nearly nipped in the bud. A girl and boy have fun on a blind date, a potential coupling sparked by the strong attraction between them. However, the girl’s messy home turns off the young man, leaving the girl to wonder what she could have done wrong. Her best friend gently admonishes her about decluttering her place and helps bring her stuff to a Loc&Stor 24/7 storage unit. In the end, the girl “frees up” her home for “The One”.

Crafted to appeal to the young generation, “One Night Only” suggests that while first impressions make or break a relationship, two people can find new beginnings when given a chance. 



The film, which went viral and received positive feedback in social media, stars Jourdanne Castillo, Wayne Avellano, and Hannah Lee.  

Written by Yuji Gonzales, the short films feature Jay Castillo as the assistant director; Patrick Ferrer as the director of photography; Lorraine Intes as the production manager; and Jed Medrano as line producer.

The crew also features Henry Ramirez as offline editor and Kenneth Amparo as online editor. Credits likewise go to Richard Gonzales for scoring; Kat Salinas for sound design; and Kenneth Amparo for color grading. 

In “The Secret” and “One Night Only,” Loc&Stor 24/7 is highlighted as a world-class self-storage facility that offers secure and professionally managed storage units for rent. 



Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, most Loc&Stor 24/7 branches are equipped with seven sizes of storage units to accommodate different needs. The smallest unit can contain up to eight balikbayan boxes, while jumbo-size units are capable of storing contents of a 20ft container or up to 180 balikbayan boxes. 

For corporate or business-store owners, most Loc&Stor 24/7 facilities feature an elevated loading dock that can fit up to two 40 ft. shipping containers. Companies that store inventory can easily upsize or downsize a unit as their needs change.

With priority on safety and security, only owners and authorized representatives can access stored possessions using PIN codes that arm and disarm the unit alarms. All locks are electronically logged in, as well, so the system will notify owners via e-mail if units have been opened.


Located in guarded, gated, and flood-free compounds, Loc&Stor 24/7 facilities are equipped with high-definition CCTV cameras with night vision, fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems. 

For added convenience of its storers, parking space is available inside the compound of facilities. 
Locations include Loc&Stor 24/7 Taguig C5/SLEX, JP Rizal Makati, Urban Makati, and Pasig. North Edsa and Sucat will soon be home to Loc&Stor 24/7 facilities.

Short films “One Night Only” and “The Secret” can be accessed at https://www.locnstor247.com/blog/videos/.

For inquiries on rental fees and other vital information, visit our website at www.locnstor247.com, or connect through social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

You may also contact one of Loc&Stor’s facilities to know more—Pasig at 8570-2561; Urban Makati at 8810-9556; JP Rizal Makati at 7902-1898; or Taguig at 8693-9071.

                    

Huawei launches HUAWEI Mate 30 Series




I was just as excited as everyone else when I learned that my favorite Huawei Mate Series launches the new Huawei Mate 30 and Huawei Mate 30 Pro last October 28 at The Fifth at Rockwell with the theme “Rethink Possibilities”. The launch was attended by Actor Jericho Rosales, TV Commercial Director Sid Maderazo, Business man GP Reyes, Huawei’s Senior Global Product Manager Peter Gauden and George Li, Country Head of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group. 




I have been loving Huawei phones ever since the P9 and Mate 9 series launched years ago. I have been carrying my Mate 9 until today just to take pictures. It always delivers clear and vivid colors. That's why I have been thinking of gifting myself a Huawei Mate 30 this year. I have been saving this year and now its about time for another improved "mate".




While delving into the new technologies and features that set the new products apart from the rest of the smartphone market, the Huawei representatives and brand ambassadors in attendance shared how the Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro encouraged them to rethink their lifestyles and professions in refreshingly interesting ways.

Rethink Smartphone
Huawei’s Senior Global Product Manager Peter Gauden gave a detailed overview of the Mate 30 series’ hardware highlights, including the new 40MP Cine Camera and a 40MP SuperSensing Camera, the new powerful Kirin 990 chipset, and halo fashion design among others. Combined, each hardware innovation worked together seamlessly to offer an experience that transcended conventional smartphone capabilities. 

Shedding an interesting light to all the tech talk are key brand ambassadors and their experience with the Mate 30 series. Known TV Commercial Director Sid Maderazo was mightily impressed with the Mate 30 Pro’s cameras, especially in the videography department. Business Executive GP Reyes related how OneHop lets him transition smoothly from phone to PC during hectic work schedules. 

Actor Jericho Rosales shared how just using the Mate 30 series was a joy, between the innovative security features, gesture controls, etc.


Mr. Gauden further adds, “We’ve always strived to push the boundaries of smartphone technology, whether it's the cameras, the display, or the user experience; the Mate 30 Series embodies the result of our innovative spirit, and we hope you take the technology we’ve made in bold new directions - because it really can.” 

Rethink Technology

George Li, Country Head of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group led the discussion on how the Mate 30 series’ release will pave a new path for all Huawei products in the future, creating an innovative product ecosystem with Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) at its core. 

Li explained how Huawei Mobile service ecosystem played a critical role in creating smarter software services in the Philippines seamlessly providing an overview of HMS as an intelligent ecosystem of services that enable a variety of devices and apps to work cohesively. 




Currently, HMS’ suite of apps and services has an estimated 570 million monthly active users in 170 countries, and continues to expand from there. Seamless AI life is a 5–10 year long-term strategy of Huawei Consumer BG. Based on this long term strategy, Huawei  is set offer five intelligent life scenarios to consumers, such as mobile office, smart home, fitness & health, entertainment, and easy travel. 

To realize this, Huawei will continue to bring in series ecosystem products to the country. 


With HMS at the core of our extensive product lineup, we are gradually building a stronger and smarter ecosystem that fulfills a wide variety of roles depending on the situation. Owning a Huawei device like the Matebook 13, Watch GT 2, or Band 4 opens the door to entirely new possibilities in Filipino lifestyles, which we are very excited to share with our consumers,Mr. George Li says of HMS. 
Rethink Environment

The third major portion of the event was devoted to Project E for E: Saving Environmental Ecology through Technological Ecosystem. In partnership with non-profit organization Save Philippine Seas (SPS), Huawei Philippines’ joint project aims to use its innovative tech solutions to help protect and preserve the country’s natural resources. 

To achieve E for E’s goals, Huawei and its partners will employ a multi-pronged approach to its environmental campaign that involves raising awareness, providing technological support for specific projects, and teaming up with third-party entities to broaden the campaign’s scope.



This special program initiated by Huawei is deeply rooted from our vision to bring digital to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world”, says George Li, Country Head at HUAWEI Consumer Business Group. “As a leader of technology and Innovations Company, our pursuit is to make use of our capabilities to respond to the needs of our society, particularly our environment.”

Through E for E, Huawei strives to empower communities by offering technological solutions like public cloud, improvements and expanding coverage of Internet connection, AI capabilities, mobile phones and a lot more.




Anna Oposa, Executive Director of SPS discussed the project excitedly, saying “Project E for E is an incredible opportunity for our cause to reach a wider audience, which sends the message that yes, this cause is important and worthy of attention more than ever. We at SPS are grateful for Huawei’s aid in utilizing their cutting-edge solutions to meet our environmental protection goals, proving that technology indeed has the power to change the world.”

Led by Li, Huawei’s influential ambassadors grouped together as a union of environmental advocates and encouraged more people to join the cause of protecting and advocating the environment. 




The launch of the Mate 30 series delivers more than just the newest piece of smartphone tech to the market - it’s the catalyst for a new era in Huawei’s vision for the future. A future that employs its innovative spirit into rethinking the way technology can be used: creating smarter device ecosystems while protecting natural ecosystems at the same time, for starters. 

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Getting your Good Vibes from Dunkin Donuts



Let the Good vibe Sunday well spent to bring us a week of content. 

What better way to start your Monday is with a cup of Dunkin Coffee and a Butternut donut on the side.  To get my groove on,  I always hang out at my DD branch at Mindanao Ave where I can sit and laze around anytime of the day. 




What’s better than having a cup of Dunkin’ Coffee? Sometimes a small cup is good enough but there are days when having a bigger cup is needed to give you that extra perk up and good vibes. Double the fun as you get your Good Vibes from Dunkin’ Donuts.


For the month of October, Dunkin’ is giving out cool, fun stickers for every purchase of one (1) Large Dunkin’ Coffee (hot or iced). The stickers in the iconic Dunkin’ magenta and orange colors have messages that spread good vibes and positivity like, “Don’t hate, appreciate” and “Dance to your own beat!” The more coffee dates you have, the more stickers you’ll collect.

Do you have a go-to Dunkin’ Coffee favorite? Each caffeinated concoction can spark joy for its high quality and on-point flavors.

If you like to keep it simple, the Dunkin’ Brewed Coffee is an all-time favorite. Made with 100% Arabica coffee beans, it will give you that boost you need at the start or the middle of your day. A strong and refreshing alternative is the Dunkin’ Black Iced Coffee.


For those who prefer a dose of sweetness or creaminess with their brew, check out Dunkin’ Iced Coffee. For more exciting and uplifting flavors, Almond or Hazelnut is for you. 

Whatever your brew, just go large and you’ll get good vibes stickers from Dunkin’. Collect all stickers in select outlets before the end of October.


Kapuso Star Sanya Lopez is Ginebra 2020 Calendar Girl


Every year one of the most anticipated announcements come Holiday season, especially by men, is the announcement of Ginebra San Miguel's new Calendar girl. 

For 2020,  Kapuso actress/TV host Sanya Lopez joins the likes of Pia Wurtzbach Marian Rivera, Solenn Heussaf, Arci Munoz, Kim Domingo as the world’s leading gin brand’s Calendar Girl. 


The festive media launch held last October 24 at the Novotel in Quezon City revealed Sanya Lopez as “The Island Girl”

“It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen as Ginebra San Miguel’s 2020 Calendar Girl. I feel excited and nervous at the same time. To be part of Ginebra San Miguel’s history, to be entrusted with this role as brand ambassador and to be the newest addition to the Ginebra San Miguel family is definitely a huge blessing,” says Sanya Lopez.

The Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl promotion started in 1988. Since then, the special merchandise has become a sought-after item among consumers year after year. 

“For 2020 we chose Sanya Lopez as our brand ambassador because she embodies what Ginebra San Miguel represents — courage, resiliency, optimism, and never-say-die spirit. Sanya is truly ‘ganado sa buhay’ as she worked her way up to become one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry today,” says Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) marketing manager Ronald Molina. 


GSMI officials General Manager Emmanuel Macalalag, National Sales and Marketing Manager Allan Mercado and Marketing Manager Ronald Molina formally welcomed Sanya Lopez in a grand toast during the launch featuring her own Ginebra San Miguel cocktail called “Sanya’s Island Mix”, a concoction of pineapple, buko juice and gin. 

GSMI has released four calendar layouts representing its array of products including flagship brand Ginebra San Miguel, GSM Blue, Primera Light Brandy and VisMin’s no. 1 Chinese wine Vino Kulafu. 

RISING STAR
Since being discovered in 2012 by the late German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, GMA star builder, Sanya Lopez has treaded the path to being a serious actress taking on roles that showed off her acting prowess including her portrayal of Hara Danaya in the TV remake of “Encantadia” and in her recently-concluded series “Dahil sa Pag-ibig”. She will soon be seen opposite Superstar Nora Aunor in the film “Isa Pang Bahaghari” directed by Joel Lamangan. 

“I consider the challenges and struggles that I went through in life as motivation to never give up in pursuing my dreams. It is my family that inspires me to be ‘ganado sa buhay’,” relates Sanya Lopez. “For me, when you say ‘Island Girl’, you see a woman who is strong and independent,” she adds.  

As Ginebra San Miguel“Island Girl”, Sanya Lopez will be joining the “Ginuman Fest” tour, the gin brand’s annual series of music festivals that brings together gin lovers around the country as One Ginebra Nation. 
L-R: GSMI General Manager Emmanuel Macalalag, Sanya Lopez, GSMI National Marketing Manager Ronald Molina and GSMI National Sales and Marketing Manager Allan Mercado
To prepare for her Ginebra San Miguel calendar girl shoot, Sanya Lopez went on a no carbs diet. “I only ate fish and chicken. I also did a lot of cardio workout, mostly running, Muay Thai and boxing,” she shares.  
She was, likewise, thrilled to be photographed by one of the country’s most talented young photographers BJ Pascual. 

GSMI is the producer of heritage brand Ginebra San Miguel, which is celebrating its 185th anniversary this year. Ginebra San Miguel is a 14-time Gold Quality Label awardee of the Monde Selection International Quality Institute, the world’s most prestigious body that recognizes the highest standards of taste and quality in the food and beverages industry. 

Other GSMI products include GSM Blue Light Gin, GSM Blue Mojito, GSM Blue Gin Pomelo, GSM Blue Margarita, GSM Premium Gin, Don Enrique Mixkila, Antonov Vodka, Vino Kulafu, Primera Light Brandy and Anejo Gold Rum . For more details, like the Ginebra San Miguel official Facebook page www.facebook.com/BarangayGinebra or log on to www.ginebra.com.ph.  

Saturday, October 26, 2019

MARINEL PAGUIA, PINAY BARTENDER, WINS TGIFRIDAYS ASIA-PACIFIC BARTENDING CHAMPIONSHIP!



                  Marinel Paguia of TGIFridays Glorietta  was named champion at the recent TGIFridays  Asia-Pacific Bartender Championship  held in Indonesia.  She bested bartenders from the Asian region with her  extraordinary skills in flairtending as well as her technical knowledge of the TGIFridays’ bar elements .  1st  runner-up  and 2nd runner-up honors went to Taiwan's Allen Chung and Guam's Henry Aguilar.

                Paguia will  compete at the World Bartending Competition to be held in Dallas, Texas next year.  She hopes to duplicate the feat of fellow female bartenders Rizza Umlas and Jholan Penafiel who were proclaimed World Bartending Champions in 2015 and 2017, respectively, in historic competitions held in Dallas Texas, USA.




“I have waited for a winning moment like this for a long time and there is no turning back from here. I will give it my all. I am ready to bring home that much-sought-after title!” Paguia said.

Shown in photo during the championship event in Indonesia are  from left:  celebrity  Ashraf Sinclair;  Taiya Ryan – Director of Marketing, TGI Fridays Asia Pacific; Roy De Dios – Regional Manager, TGI Fridays Asia Pacific; Marinel Paguia – TGI Fridays Philippines, Asia-Pacific Bartender Champion;  Craig Burt – Vice President , TGI Fridays Asia Pacific and Chandra Supandi - Owner of TGIFridays  Indonesia



Minola Premium Coconut Oil: Perfect for Keto Diet



“Saturated fats, like those in butter, coconut oil, and red meat, and monounsaturated fats, such as those found in avocados, olive oil, and macadamia nuts, are basically safe for consumption in terms of your health.”
― Jimmy Moore, Keto Clarity: Your Definitive Guide to the Benefits of a Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet


It was just a year ago since I attended the Minola event and learned about Keto diet through their speakers. I have never entertained the thoughts of getting into it for now, as I have been into medications that may interfere with it. 

Although, I have been using coconut oil most of the time for cooking and  Coconut Oil as one of my supplements from Healthy Options . I have been on a No rice, no white and wheat breads, no sugar diet lately , as per my doctor advice. 

These in no particular order are my mantra when I put something into my stomach. Start small, and learn how to do this first.

Eat clean.

Eat your vegetables.

Eat nourishing, brain healthy fat.


Heal from the inside out.





As Dr. Fabian Dayrit, Professor of Chemistry from Ateneo de Manila, one of Minola speakers, advised us to have a proper consultation with an Endocrinologist before embarking to this diet.  


Dr.  Fabian Dayrit

As we already know by now, Ketogenic diet is all about low-carb, moderate protein, high-fat diet that allows your body to burn fat for fuel rather than glucose. It means cutting out all sources of sugar and most carbohydrates and loading up on foods with high-fat contents.



Eat 10 percent of your calories from carbs, about 20 percent from protein, and 70 percent from healthy fats causes the liver to produce ketones, or byproducts of breaking down fat for energy, allowing your body to enter ketosis.

MCT Oil helps a lot and so does coconut oil from Minola Premium Cooking Oil. Because, Coconut Oil has zero transfat. 




Sample of a keto meal


Minola Premium Coconut Cooking Oil helps make the heart healthy and immune system stronger. It is cholesterol free and is rich with lauric oil, the same substance found in mother’s milk.

Studies show that coconut oil's high fat content makes it a staple for keto dieters. Whether you use it in a salad dressing, frying your fish, or to saute your favorite cut of steak, coconut oil is a ketogenic mainstay.



Last week , Minola Premium Coconut Oil sponsored an event about Ketogenic diet. The event was attended by guest speakers Dr. Fabian Dayrit, Professor of Chemistry from Ateneo de Manila, Dr. Regina Banda from the Ketogenic Diet of the Philippines, Ms.Virna Veloso, and Ms. Desa Apostol. 


Ms. Virna Veloso


Dr. Regina Banda


Ms.Desa Apostol


The key here is to enjoy what you are eating and consult your doctor if you are going to embark on a new diet. 



If you are interested with this kind of diet.  There are many groups in Facebook pages where you can join and start/browse on keto recipes, foods and cooking tips. 

On top of this, always remember that , the biggest foundation of weight loss is health. 


Friday, October 25, 2019

TikTok launches the TikTok Creator Academy aimed at playing a more active role in empowering the next generation of content creators



TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, today announced the launch of TikTok Trends, a regional program dedicated to driving awareness among brands and the industry when it comes to making the most out of TikTok as a creative advertising platform. To kick off its announcement, a TikTok Trends event was conducted in Vietnam which tapped into the country’s dynamic creative market as a net contributor and facilitated the development of Vietnamese talents using TikTok as a promotional platform. 



As a preferred platform for expression among the creative young audience, specifically Gen Z and Millennials, TikTok provides brands with the opportunity to engage them in a dynamic, mobile-first format. TikTok has 680 million monthly active users worldwide and is proven to be highly popular in Southeast Asia. With 87% of brands using video for marketing, TikTok Trends aims to help marketers learn more about the short-form video industry in general and TikTok in particular. 


TikTok Trends was launched with the objective of  empowering brands to make strategic business decisions through a wide array of initiatives including: 

TikTok Trends Events is a regional event series powered by TikTok with the goal of providing a platform for mobile and digital marketing professionals to connect and share valuable learnings, insights and the latest trends in the short-video space as well as key TikTok product updates. 

TikTok Trends Newsletter is TikTok's monthly source of information, offering insights around the latest digital marketing trends, pop culture phenomena  across Southeast Asia, as well as tips on how markets can make the most out of their next marketing campaign on TikTok, through key learnings, case studies and product updates. 

TikTok Trends Entertainment Marketing White Paper serves as a practical guidebook for marketers empowering them to maximize their entertainment marketing efforts. From providing a macro view of the entertainment industry to focusing on key learnings following a successful entertainment marketing showcase, the White Paper provides insights into TikTok, as a creative advertising platform brands can harness to drive marketing impact that truly moves the needle in across Southeast Asia. 



TikTok Trends Creator Academy is a program that offers a series of workshops to empower creators to develop and create compelling brand content and stories on TikTok, made possible with TikTok's strategic partnerships and robust creator network across Southeast Asia.

“Fueled by the rise of mobile as the key device of today's media consumption, short-form videos have become an essential format for brands to connect with their audiences. In fact, nearly 9 in 10 companies use video as a marketing tool today, and by 2022, video will make up 82% of all internet consumer traffic,” said John Castro, User and Content Operations Manager, TikTok Philippines.


“By offering valuable insights on how to leverage the short-form video platform and making the shift from horizontal to vertical video format, TikTok Trends will empower marketers to make strategic and impactful business decisions.” 

According to mobile advertising platform MediaBrix, fewer than 30% of users will turn their phone sideways to view a horizontal ad, and even when they do so, they only watch around 14% of it. As short-form mobile video continues to rise in popularity, brands must be willing to create content that’s easily consumable on smartphones. In the Philippines, as well as elsewhere in the world, TikTok provides easy-to-use video capturing and editing tools directly from the smartphone, allowing the creation of diversified content that is immersive and interactive.

With diversified content and a fast-growing digital community, TikTok continues to receive an overwhelming response in the Philippines. In 2019, TikTok in partnership with Globe launched the #CreateWithLove challenge to encourage users to share their creativity with love and passion. The campaign garnered 141.4M views.

TikTok is  available in over 154 countries and regions in 75 languages, with a robust localization strategy to encourage users to create and interact with content relevant to local cultures and trends. 

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