GET TO KNOW THE 2018 YAZZ SQUAD: John Spainhour, Marx Topacio, Marcus Mababangloob, & Cynthia Thomalla

Our desires and lifestyles evolve along with the changing of the times, and since everything we could possibly want and need is now at the tip of our fingertips, so should our ways and means of acquiring them. This 2018, YAZZ Prepaid Visa is introducing the new Yazz Squad, who represent today’s young and accomplished YAZZ Card users with all-new passions and ever-changing needs: models John Spainhour and Marx Topacio, musician Marcus Mababangloob, and Miss Eco-Philippines Cynthia Thomalla. 

The four new YAZZ card talents join the ever-growing number of savvy users who enjoy the benefits of the YAZZ Prepaid Visa.

“We chose John, Marx, Marcus, and Cynthia to be the new members of the Yazz Squad because their lifestyle choices represents the services that YAZZ offers,” said MCC President Pradeep Pant. “YAZZ Card users can expect more innovations and updates to their YAZZ Prepaid Visa this year, like loading via YAZZ website which will be available by May,” Pant added.

“I love how YAZZ Card is accessible for everyone. Besides helping me travel around the Philippines easier and faster to spread my advocacy (for responsible tourism), I believe introducing YAZZ Card to locals is also a big help for them,” Cynthia Tomalla shares, as it helps them save, manage their budget, and get access to the benefits of a card without the trouble of too many bank requirements. “When it comes to shopping, I pride myself in being a balanced spender. I only spend things on the things I need, but when I know I have worked hard enough, then I’ll purchase on an item that I want.” She adds, “I find it convenient to shop online, especially now when you can return things if they don’t fit!”

John Spainhour, on the other hand, has found a reliable partner in YAZZ. “The best feature I love about YAZZ is that it gives you a cheaper and 24/7 alternative in sending money. The fee is only Php20.00 regardless of the amount.” John adds, “I can also keep track of my budget and monitor my expenses thru the YAZZ mobile app. This is important to me because I want to be responsible in my finances.” 

YAZZ is a great tool to help you manage your budget and effectively put away savings and YAZZ Squad model Marcus Mababangloob concurs with this. “As a student, opening a bank account is difficult because of the requirements being asked by the bank. Also, I have to catch their banking hours which is during weekdays from 9am to 4pm. The problem is, I have class during those times so going there is a challenge.” He shares the solution he has found using YAZZ, “I just load my extra cash from my allowance to my YAZZ and I consider this as my instant savings account. The moment I need my money, I just withdraw it in any BancNet ATM.” Marcus adds, ““One saving tip I learned growing up is to save 50 pesos a day—and those go into my YAZZ Card now!”

Marx Topacio loves to splurge his extra income on traveling. Marx shares, “I always score the best deals because whenever I see one, I’m always prepared to book it using my YAZZ Card.” He adds, “I’m embarrassed to share that I used to call up my friends and ask them if I could ride on their credit cards. But now, I feel empowered, I can book it on my own without the hassle of bothering them.” Marx also reveals that he even uses YAZZ for his online subscriptions like Spotify and Netflix.

From saving money to sending money, from paying for small and big purchases to booking flights and hotels online, the YAZZ Card allows you to do all these and more conveniently, with less risk and hassle. Join your hip new YAZZ SQUAD—John, Marx, Marcus, and Cynthia—in saying yes to YAZZ!

Go to www.yazzcard.com for more information, and follow @YazzcardPH on   

Victorinox Swiss Army launches I.N.O.X. watch

Celebrating the 130th anniversary of its parent company in style, Victorinox Swiss Army launches a watch of sharp, versatile design that is so strong it defies your imagination. Victorinox Swiss Army has created I.N.O.X, a new watch that pays tribute to the history and industrial know-how of the brand by showcasing the values that have made it famous: authenticity, strength, quality, expertise, and Swiss design.

        From left to right ; Andrew Wolff, Marnie Chua – Brand Manager, Victorinox Swiss Army, 
Ivan Yao – Managing Director, Lucerne. Alexander Bennouna – CEO Victorinox Swiss Army
Axel Wenger – International Sales Manager, Asia Pacific, Emerson Yao – Managing Director, 
Lucerne, John Spainhour, Marc Nelson



The name I.N.O.X. comes from the French word for stainless steel, the solid, durable, and corrosion-resistant material that Victorinox adopted more than 50 years before it became the norm in the Swiss watch industry. Marking a shared link between cutlery and watches, I.N.O.X. is as iconic as the Original Swiss Army Knife. A concentrate of Victorinox’s DNA, it represents nothing less than the very quintessence of the brand.

An exceptional celebration requires an exceptional watch. I.N.O.X. watch demonstrates a level of robustness never before achieved in watchmaking. Designed to withstand unusual stress, it has passed with flying colors a ruthless battery of 130 strength tests. Beyond the standard certification tests of the Swiss watch industry, a series of new tests was developed specifically for I.N.O.X. watch. They reflect Victorinox Swiss Army’s passion for pushing boundaries and imposing new rules on resistance. Its robustness is incomparable to any other — an I.N.O.X. timepiece can resist eight tons of compression under a hydraulic press, and can resist being driven over by a truck of 25 tons or a military tank weighing up to 64 tons.

Friends of Victorinox Swiss Army Andrew Wolff and John Spainhour

Moreover, it can also withstand temperature shocks from -57 degrees to +71 degrees Celsius, set to a standard set by the US Army for the manufacture of missiles. Nothing comparable exists in the world of watchmaking. The I.N.O.X watch can also take on glacial cold; the watch will function non-stop and without complaint, even when frozen in an ice cube for 168 hours. Neither does it have a fear of heights; the I.N.O.X. watch can weather extreme conditions at a stratospheric altitude of 21,300 meters, which is twice the height at which airlines fly. It can also withstand a fall of 10 meters onto a smooth concrete surface, the approximate equivalent of a drop from a three-floor building.


Given its extreme robustness, one would expect the I.N.O.X. watch to look like a bunker. Its elegance, however, is evident at first glance. The refined design of the 43 mm stainless steel case is enhanced by a skillfully polished hexagonal bezel. The case is made with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with triple anti-reflection treatment, and is water resistant to 200 meters. Available in three colors such as black, khaki, and navy blue, the I.N.O.X. watch can be further personalized with a bumper. An inventive new accessory in the watchmaking world, this removable protector in silicone and nylon lets you change the watch’s look to match your mood. Whether it’s the office, a mountain, a busy morning, or a leisurely evening, nothing beats the I.N.O.X. watch for versatility: it can be worn anywhere, anytime.

Marnie Chua – Brand Manager of Victorinox Swiss Army with Andrew Wolff and John Spainhour


This is the same thought that celebrities Marc Nelson, Andrew Wolff, and John Spainhour have with regard to the I.N.O.X. watch. Leading such busy and adrenaline-fueled lives, these three “friends of the brand” exemplify the qualities of the I.N.O.X. watch. Marc, an adventurer who dares to brave the outdoors, Andrew, who shows tenacity on the rugby field, and John, who courageously was a marine for several years, all find a companion in the watch. These three men capture the spirit of what it means to be strong, fearless, and passionate. With I.N.O.X. watch, they are free to scale the heights, to be fierce on the field, and to be brave in the face of duty. Although the watch’s primary functions are telling the time and date, its robustness, craftsmanship and style, make it the rightful heir of the famous Swiss Army Knife, and thus these three men’s perfect “companion for life.”

Victorinox Swiss Army Watch is available at SM Megamall Boutique, Century City Mall Boutique, Lucerne, Elemento, Chronos, Wrist Pod, Swiss Gear, L Timestudio, SM Department Stores and Robinson’s Department Stores.

The Brave and Fearless go for Veloci

Unveiling Veloci: A Must Watch for the Brave and Fearless

John Spainhour

The Italian-inspired Veloci watch dares you to live your life to every spirited second. You only live once, after all, and nobody knows what happens next. You owe it to yourself to fill your days with adventure, whether it’s defying gravity with skydiving or bungee jumping from thousands of feet in the air, or swimming into the depths of the sea with sharks. Time is golden, especially with Veloci, and it reminds you to have that insatiable thirst for a life well-lived.

Veloci Pulse

In the midst of all these daring adventures, it’s imperative that you do it in style. Veloci stands for the young and the fashionable, the ones who face up to their biggest fears and do it with a daredevil attitude. They’re the ones who don’t forget to look good, no matter if they are hiking up the highest cliffs, or surfing the most treacherous waves — they know that making an effort to look good also means loving yourself.

MYX VJ's Karla Aguas, Chino Lui Pio and Ai dela Cruz

It’s no wonder then, that a number of celebrities from Marc Nelson, Andrea del Rosario, Ornussa Cadness, Sanya Smith, Lifestyle Network’s hosts Walter de Mesa & Karen Pamintuan, Robby Carmona, DJs Mars Miranda, Jay from Kamikaze, Gretchen Fullido, Patty Betita, MYX VJ’s Chino, Karla & Ai, Obama Grill’s Manoy Llige and Gine-bra Team players LA Tenorio, Mac Baracael,were spotted in Boracay recently donning Veloci watches to add a splash of color into their beach outfits. They all share the phi-losophy that Veloci has in that a life lived well is a life with no regrets. “I’ve always dreamed of going skydiving,” Sanya shared, “And also a food tour around the world.” Ornussa agreed that travel was a great way to soak up some culture and adventure and said, “I’m living my adventure right now… Being a DJ allows me to travel and to work close to my best friend.”

Tom Taus

For other celebrities like Tom Taus, Mark Caguiao, and Chef Sharwin Tee, it’s all a mix of taking yourself out of your comfort zone. Tom said that he wanted to expe-rience being on a navy seal mission, while Mark listed parasailing as his greatest ad-venture yet, and that he would love to try skydiving. Chef Sharwin, on the other hand, considered it a gastronomic and professional adventure to cook Filipino food in Mos-cow.

Veloci watches, after all, are the perfect accessories to their ensembles, be it for the office, the night club, the mall, or the beach. Veloci is customizable and is meant to fit in with every aspect of their lives. Veloci comes in five collections, each with its own distinct characteristics, so you can take on your own adventures in style.

The Aeronaute is designed for the daredevils, those who have a need for speed, and believe that there is no challenge that they can’t conquer. The Voyager is for the seafarers, those who love skimming the waters and don’t mind plunging into the deep. They are the ones who sail the world to sate their thirst for wanderlust, and who want to experience every different culture that they come across.

The Cruise, meanwhile, is for those who like to sit back and enjoy the ride, for the spontaneous and the brave. They are the ones to forge on journeys without an itinerary, those who indulge themselves with a cold glass of mojito while sunbathing on a yacht deck and letting life take them where they please.

The Aeronaute, Voyager, and Cruise are characterized by their sophisticated Japanese movements, each with sleek stainless steel cases. Because Veloci is all about spontaneity, these watches also come with interchangeable Nato straps which can be switched in seconds and without tools.
Veloci also has a digital collection comprised of Pulse. Pulse is for the fashiona-ble athlete, the teammate for champions on and off the court who live to compete and win at every game. It is 100 meter water resistant, and deliver function with an alarm and stop watch. Metro, meanwhile, is a new addition to the fashion collection. It is for the nocturnal urbanite, the life of the party and the wingman for any long night out filled with bass and neon lights.

There is no shortage of Veloci watches that cater to your varying styles. So whatever you dream of doing, Veloci is right there with you as you cross off items in your bucket list.

Veloci watches are available in all LTimestudio, Asprey boutiques and SM Department Stores.