Ginebra San Miguel celebrates 10th #WorldGinDay with a ginstronomic tour of the PH

Ginebra San Miguel recently celebrates 10th World Gin Day at Green Sun with celebrities Gab Valenciano, Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani, and all-around vlogger Vince Vandorpe. Travel and beauty vlogger Angel Dei Peralta, and international model couple/reality TV stars Chelsea Robato and Christian Busby. Some of the country’s top  Master mixologists Enzo Lim, Kalel Demetrio and Icy Mariñas  concocted special Ginebra San Miguel cocktails to represent the country’s three island groups. Chef Lau also graced the event with his signature "pulutan" dishes.

World Gin Day was founded by British blogger Neil Houston and is celebrated every 2nd Saturday of June. What started as a day to bring his friends together to drink gin has grown into a worldwide celebration. Aside from the Philippines, World Gin Day events were also held in the UK, Australia and the US.

Love for gin is something that the Philippines shares in common with the world and for 184 years, Filipinos have been enjoying the distinct taste and quality of the country’s pioneering spirit, Ginebra San Miguel. Our drinking culture is so strong that we even have the concept of “tagay” – a unique way of drinking gin where one drinks from a common glass and passes it on to be refilled for the next round.

Indeed for Filipinos, drinks are meant to be shared and enjoyed with friends. This same feeling of camaraderie, friendship, togetherness and unity is what Ginebra San Miguel aims to cultivate further as it celebrates World Gin Day as One Gin Nation.

Ginebra San Miguel took guests on a “ginstronomic” and a gastronomic tour of the Philippines.

Kalel Demetrio created the “Quatro Katipunero Sour” – a cocktail that incorporates the four dominant Luzon ingredients that he loves to use: kamias, sampaguita, labuyo, and calamansi.

For Visayas, Icy Mariñas crafted the Cebu mango-based “In It to Gin-It” cocktail with flavors of sinamak vinegar, peanut kisses, and Leyte pineapple.

As a representation of Mindanao, Enzo Lim made the Samal Beach Cocktail, a fusion of Pinoy flavors with Davao pomelo as its dominant taste.

These concoctions were, of course, prepared using Ginebra San Miguel, GSM Blue Light Gin and GSM Premium Gin as base.

Rockstar chef Rolando Laudico also prepared a sumptuous “pulutan” feast, creatively paired with the rockstar mixologists’ cocktails. Chef Lau’s cocktail food dishes aptly named “Nilasing na Sisig”, “Chicken Ginasal Wrap” and “Spicy Tuna Ginilaw”, similarly used Ginebra San Miguel, GSM Blue Light Gin and GSM Premium Gin as ingredients.

The three rockstar mixologists were also at the judges’ panel for “Mixologist Showdown”, a contest where the country’s best bartenders whipped up signature cocktails using unique and indigenous ingredients that captured the spirit of the Philippines as a gin nation.

 “Gin is enjoying a wave of popularity the world over right now,” says Ginebra San Miguel Marketing Manager Ron Molina. “Owing to its versatility, gin can mix with a variety of flavors. In the Philippines, this love for gin and Ginebra San Miguel is celebrated with regional flair and flavor. Local mixes and pairing with local food takes the gin experience to a whole new level.”

Among the guests who graced the event were famous personalities like dancer/director Gab Valenciano, Mr. World Philippines 2016 Sam Ajdani, and all-around vlogger Vince Vandorpe. Travel and beauty vlogger Angel Dei Peralta, and international model couple/reality TV stars Chelsea Robato and Christian Busby also had a taste of the gin-credible night.

GSM Blue endorser Myrtle Sarrosa, singer, rapper, and songwriter Quest, and Europop Festival Gold Medalist Ana Ramsey delivered outstanding performances that captured the hearts of the audience.

World Gin Day celebrations were also held in Cabanatuan, Cebu and Davao at selected bars and establishments where Ginebra San Miguel offers the Gin O’ Clock promo.  The World Gin Day celebration carried on throughout the whole Philippines, as they toasted with Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao - now as One Gin Nation.

Here in the Philippines, World Gin Day was first celebrated in 2014 coinciding with the celebration of Ginebra San Miguel’s 180th anniversary, highlighted by the launch of a travelling exhibit showcasing the brand’s colorful history and rich heritage.

Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) is the producer of the world’s no. 1 selling gin Ginebra San Miguel and other quality liquor products including GSM Premium Gin, GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, Antonov Vodka, Vino Kulafu, Don Enrique Tequila, Añejo Gold Medium Rum and Primera Light Brandy.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom: Watch out for Blue!

It may seem difficult to believe, but when the filmmakers behind 2015’s Jurassic World began its development, they had no idea that their labor of love would become one of the top-five grossing movies of all time.

 For Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow, who also co-wrote the first chapter—and returns as co-writer and now executive producer of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom—the relaunch of the series that has captivated him since he was a boy has long been imagined as a trilogy.

 Alongside co-writer Derek Connolly, he has taken great pride in bringing the cautionary tales of Michael Crichton and world creation of Steven Spielberg to a delightfully dangerous and unexpected new level.

Once the global press tour wrapped and riveted audiences celebrated this landmark achievement, it was time to take a deep breath…and then get back to work.  “About two weeks after Jurassic World came out, I had been living in Los Angeles with my family for the year and had to drive back to our home in Vermont,” recounts Trevorrow.

“I asked Derek if he would ride with me, so we could use that cross-country trip to talk about where the story could go next.  I had a very basic set of ideas I wanted to present to him—in a place that we could think freely and just get weird with what the future could be.”

Buoyed with confidence at the film’s rip-roaring success and Spielberg’s confidence in their narrative arc, the pair hit the road to discuss what was next for former raptor trainer Owen, operations manager Claire and the thousands of displaced dinosaurs roaming the land and flying above Isla Nublar.  “This time around, Steven said, ‘Show me what you think this can be, where you think these characters should go and where we should take them,’” shares Trevorrow.  “So we drove to Vermont and, on the way, came up with the story that is Fallen Kingdom.”  

While Jurassic World took the park that was only a promise and brought it to awe-striking, terrifying life, Trevorrow knew the next chapter could and should tackle much darker themes.  The storyteller who first made a splash with the celebrated Safety Not Guaranteed has long been curious by what it means to exist within paradoxical time.

“These dinosaurs were of this Earth 65 million years ago, and now they’re in a place that is completely foreign to them,” he says.  “I thought there was a way we could tell a story that would identify the human angle.  How would you feel if you were brought into a world that you didn’t belong to…just for the satisfaction of others?  That was a realm we hadn’t gone to before, and it was something we knew these movies would benefit from.”  

As the writing partners designed this second act, they strategized where they could take the audience.  Through the greediness of investors playing God and park guests throwing caution and cash toward reason, Jurassic World had been unceremoniously obliterated.  The writers knew there was fertile ground to explore off island, and they’d been quietly planting the seeds for years.  “What would be the result of that destruction; what would be the step beyond it?” asks Trevorrow.

“Fortunately, there were a lot of clues we planted in the first movie; in the film itself, on maps and on the website—in places people wouldn’t think to look for hints about the next two movies—there’s information embedded in all of them.” 

Few characters are closer to Trevorrow than Claire Dearing and Owen Grady, the fiery former lovers who are seemingly destined to pine—and grouse—after each other from afar.  Discussing how the heroes have evolved, he notes: “We thought a lot about where Claire would be a few years later, and how she’d have a lot of guilt, regret and responsibility—which she would take and put it into action. 

Claire knows there’s a natural disaster that is about to occur on the island—one that has posed a question to the world: ‘Do we let these animals die, or do we save them?’  She’s the person who feels the most responsible for rescuing the dinosaurs.  

“On the other side, we have Owen, who is responsible for proving that raptors can follow orders.  He knows there is a capability for them to serve the same purpose as animals that have been used throughout history for war,” Trevorrow continues.  “That opens its own Pandora’s Box.  We have these two characters who are the mother and father of the new world.  They’re the parents of this slowly building biological disaster begun by John Hammond.  It was important for us to find a way to weave Hammond into the story and to connect them together, as well as tell more about the history of how Jurassic Park began.”

The extraordinary dinosaurs are as much players as Claire and Owen.  Nowhere is this more evident than with Blue, the Velociraptor to which Owen has had a deep connection since she was a hatchling.  After a fierce battle with littermate Echo—one that left Blue with a scarred lip—she established her dominance among her pack.  Once Owen pretended to be injured during her training, Blue showed her capacity for empathy.  A virtual enigma among dinosaurs, she is equal parts vicious and nurturing; sadly, in the post Jurassic World era, she is also last of her kind.

For the writers, it was crucial to bring back this fully fledged creature to which we have all grown quite attached.  That storytelling level was extraordinary in Spielberg’s eyes.  “Blue has become a real character that we have imprinted on,” he reflects.  “In the first movie, John Hammond liked to be around every birth, every hatchling, because he wanted the animal to imprint on him.  In this case, the audience has imprinted on Blue, which allows Blue to become a major character that we really care about in this second film.”

It was crucial to the narrative to open the series up and introduce a new set of dinosaurs from multiple epochs.  From a Baryonyx and a Carnotaurus, to a crazy little bull-in-a-china-shop called a Stygimoloch, the writers brought more colorful creatures to Fallen Kingdom than ever before.  As if it that wasn’t enough, they imagined a genetically designed monstrosity known as the Indoraptor.  Its DNA an unholy mix of Velociraptor, Indominus rex and who knows what else Dr. Wu spliced into its codons, this creature is not deadly because of size—it’s due to his intelligence, speed and ability to follow orders…when he so chooses.

 Indoraptor is, without a doubt, the perfect weapon.

There will never be a Jurassic film without our star T. rex, if the filmmakers have anything to say about it.  “The T. rex is also back,” Trevorrow shares.  “We’ve been following this same character since the beginning; she’s the same T. rex that was in Jurassic Park and in Jurassic World.  She is iconic—not just because she’s a T. rex, but because she’s this T. rex.”

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is now open at your favorite cinemas.

Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.

The British School Manila (BSM) graduates receive offers from 21 of the Top universities in the world

The British School Manila (BSM) this year has received offers for its graduate class of 2018, from 21 of the top 50 universities in the world, including 17 Russell Group of Univer

Offers have been received from nine countries: United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, The Philippines, Spain, Singapore, France and Grenada.

Some of the more notable acceptances have come from University of St. Andrews, Berkeley, University of British Columbia, University of California, University College London, Columbia University, Cornell University, University of Durham, Essex University, University of Edinburgh, Harvard University, Imperial College London, McGill University, University of Pennsylvania and University of Toronto.

BSM Head of School Simon Mann says: “It’s been another wonderful year in terms of university and college acceptance. BSM’s goal is to ensure our students are happy and capable of pursuing their dreams, in a global landscape. As an educator, it is truly gratifying to watch these young people now reap the rewards of their hard work and head out into the world as ambassadors of a British international education gained in The Philippines.”

BSM graduates go on to excel in widely differing fields during their international university education. Mann talked about, for example, a recent BSM graduate who has been published in an international science journal for their cutting edge work in Microbiology and Chemistry, another who has graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berkley College of Music, and yet another who is working in research in a world renowned laboratory in the United States.

The British School Manila was founded in 1976 and is located in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The School has around 950 students with ages ranging from 3 to 18 years old. Students currently represent 42 nationalities with a large number coming primarily from the UK and Commonwealth diplomatic and foreign temporary resident community, as well as from the Philippines.

Islas Pinas, Filipino cuisine at its best at DoubleDragon Plaza

When you are surrounded by food parks everywhere you go, you'll get to realize that we filipinos love to eat, eat, eat and explore. I can recommend  the best food park in town.  Where you can have the best pancit, la paz batchoy, tusok tusok, desserts, guinatan, lechon, name all your favorite food and I can recommend where you are going to devour it with gusto without denting your budget.

I recently attended a food event to which I assure you will love. From the food, drinks, interior and ambiance. You will definitely schedule your next visit together with your family, friends, tropa and loved ones here.  This one is instagrammable worthy. Truly, a feast for the eyes and stomach.  If you want all filipino dishes. This one's for you! This is great for your balikbayan relatives and friends.

Islas Pinas, an indoor “Filipino Food & Heritage Village” is located at Double Dragon Plaza, with a 700 seating capacity inside a 2,500 sq meters space plaza.

It is a new, distinct destination for both local and international guests, and is now open at the DoubleDragon Plaza, DD Meridian Park, Macapagal Avenue corner EDSA Extension, Bay Area, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

Designed to showcase the abundance and vibrancy of the Filipino culture, this new establishment lets guests discover, explore and experience the Philippines’s heritage sites, natural resources, hospitality and most importantly, its cuisine.

The result of collaboration between DoubleDragon Group and Chef Margarita Forés, Islas Pinas is a project that aims to inspire love for the Philippines and to cultivate patriotism by showcasing the country’s beautiful sites and diverse regional cuisines. With a seating capacity of over 700 seats in an expansive 2,500 square meter space, Islas Pinas is the perfect place to give visitors a taste of the best that the Philippines has to offer.

ISLAS PINAS also hosts an authentic Sarao Jeepney, which for many generations became the king of the Philippine streets especially in the countryside.

“DoubleDragon has always believed in embarking on projects with relevance. We believe Islas Pinas will be a landmark in the country, and will showcase the diversity not only of our cuisine and handicrafts but also our landscape and architecture brought about by the rich heritage and culture of the country,” says DoubleDragon’s Chief Investment Officer Hannah Yulo.

At the helm of this project is none other than Asia’s Best Female Chef of 2016, Margarita A. Forés whose mission is to bring Filipino cuisine to global prominence. Thus, Islas Pinas is a vision coming to life for her, where Filipino food is not just on the sidelines but at the centerstage.

“This is an absolute dream project for me that has come at such a perfect time,” said Forés. “I give my thanks to then Undersecretary of Agriculture, now Secretary of Tourism Berna R. Puyat, for putting me together with the DoubleDragon group, who was looking for someone to operate this amazing Islas Pinas project about half a year ago. This fast-tracked such a blessed opportunity to continue pushing my biggest advocacy – that of helping to promote the best our country – our cuisine, ingredients, farers, artisan producers and home cooks from Batanes to Jolo – in the best way I can!”

It is her aim for guests to experience the Philippines with their five senses and beyond. Thus, aside from the culinary delights and a picturesque interior design worthy of Instagram posts, the venue will also feature modern and traditional cultural performances and games to ensure a fun and truly Pinoy ambiance.

SINAG, the Tagalog word for ‘ray of light’ offers all-day Filipino breakfast favorites like our TAPSILOG (TAPa – salted beef, SInangag – fried rice and ItLOG – fried egg) and Batchoy, an Ilonggo noodle soup with pork offal, crushed pork cracklings and beef loin.

ALAMAT or legend, tells the story of the different regions of the Philippines through its signature dishes. 

BILAO is coined after the woven winnowing basket where comfort snacks like pansit (fried noodles) and puto (rice cakes) are usually served, while

PANADERYA offers neighborhood bakery favorites such as pan de sal and kalihim. 

TUSOK-TUSOK, on the other hand, offers urban street food finds like barbecue on stick, isaw (grilled chicken intestine) and kwek-kwek (fried quail eggs). 

PANULAK or beverage is where the samalamig (cold drinks with different flavors) will be available. 

PAMPANG or shore will allow guests to enjoy chosen fresh catch cooked to their preference.

All these will be available daily, without the scorching heat and pollution as the space is fully airconditioned. Located at the bustling DD Meridian Park in the Bay Area along EDSA Extension and Macapagal Avenue, Islas Pinas can be easily accessed using both private and public transportation.

“Because of the ideal location of DoubleDragon Plaza at DD Meridian Park – our close proximity to the airport terminals and being only about 5 minutes away from NAIA X – we believe ISLAS PINAS will become a must-visit stopover for both domestic and international tourists visiting the capital,” said DoubleDragon's Chairman Edgar Injap Sia II.

ISLAS PINAS is the main anchor of DoubleDragon Plaza, which forms part of the 4.8 Hectare DD Meridian Park commercial and office complex. 

LA Santos talks about his music influences and first love

Just like most teens his age, LA Santos has experienced both the joys and disappointments of young love. An experience that became the inspiration for his hit song “Tinamaan.”

“Unang kita pa lang nabighani na, Sa lakad mo na parang ‘sang diwata

Ang ‘yong mata’y nagniningning na parang tala; Kinabisado ko bawat sulok ng ‘yong mukha

Oh! Kay sarap mong titigan  ‘Di ka na mawala sa isipan

Oh bakit ba biglang nangyari sa’kin ‘to?



Hey miss! My miss! Pinapangarap ka, Tinamaan nga ako sa labis mong ganda

Bakit ba ikaw ang laging nasa isip, panaginip? Miss! My miss! Hindi na maalis

Sa ala-ala, ang ngiti mong matamis!  Sobrang tinamaan 

“I had a girlfriend before and it lasted for almost two years before we broke up,” LA told a group of entertainment writers last week.



Since the breakup, however, LA says he’s been single, deciding to focus more on his singing career, which has been on the rise no thanks to the real love of his life—his mom Florita.



“I love my mom! Her unconditional love inspired me to dream big for myself, to conquer my fears, and to be the best version of myself. She is my biggest fan. Whenever I look in front of the stage, my mom is there, busy taking pictures and videos. I want to tell her that I love her and I’m thankful for all the sacrifices she has done for me.”    



LA says his career is his top priority now, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t seeing anyone. “Meron naman po akong nililigawan, but secret na muna because I don’t want my mom to get upset,” he joked.

LA is a testament to how powerful music is and says music has done a lot of good things to his young life. “I am able to express myself through music. It is said that music is a universal language. There is a song for every emotion, whether you are happy, depressed, in love, heartbroken, angry. It also helps you compose a song because may hugot ka. I get lost when I sing. I let people know who I am and how I feel through the songs I sing. In fact, I am a living example of the healing power of music,” LA shares.



Through music LA says he was able to overcome one of the biggest challenges in his life—autism.

LA (short for Leonard Antonio) was diagnosed with first stage autism when he was only three years old. Flor Santos, his mother, said she was bothered when her son was unable to speak as three years old kids would. She sought medical help and that was how she found out her third child was autistic.

The Star Music recording artist has a self-titled debut album which contains six originals (Tinamaan, Ikaw Kasi, One Greatest Love, Bakit Pag-Ibig, Miss Terror, and Mine) and three covers (Bruno Mars’ When I Was Your Man, Sarah Geronimo’s Forever Is Not Enough and Angeline Quinto’s Hanggang Kailan).



LA just recently finished a two-night mini concert at The Music Hall @ Metrowalk with the SRATS (the young stars of Asian Artist Agency). Soon, they will be trooping to SM Malls for a series of shows: June 9 (SM Valenzuela), June 10 (SM Pulilan), and June 30 (SM Sangandaan). “It’s fun to work with SRATS.  I’m looking forward to our next collaborations.”

LA has found his niche in music and is carving a name for himself. Aside from performing on Ian Veneracion’s first major foray into concerts, LA staged a sold-out major solo concert titled #Petmalu at the Music Museum.


While he is happy to share his passion for music, LA admits there are challenges that he has to face. “Actually, it’s difficult na pagsabayin ang studies and singing career. I am in my senior high at UST. Minsan nagkakasabay ang pag-aaral for an exam and rehearsal for shows. I don’t want to sacrifice iyong isa over the other. I have to balance my priorities and follow a strict schedule if I want to succeed in both my studies and career. At first, it was really hard especially when you have to wake up early for class after coming home late at night because of a commitment. I’m used to this routine now. I don’t regret any single thing. Who am I to complain? I’m grateful to be given these opportunities.”

Five reasons to go for green building

Going green is becoming a new way of life. The whole world seems to be more conscious about being less harmful to the environment, and it’s no different in the Philippines.

When Filipinos talk about “going green”, it’s usually about recycling, choosing organic food, or using less electricity or fuel at home or on the road. Green building uses the same principles. Green materials are constructed and developed through a sustainable supply chain, resulting in building materials that aren’t made with environmentally harmful chemicals. They also lessen construction waste by using materials that are sustainable and degrade less over time.

Building your eco-friendly home might sound tricky, but going green for the house of your dreams has a much bigger pay off than you might think. Here are five reasons to go for green building:

 

1. Green materials minimize your carbon footprint



Using traditionally sourced materials like steel, concrete, and virgin lumber require lots of fuel and resources to make and produce. Green materials are produced more efficiently as it requires less natural resources, produced locally with less waste over time. Being selective of materials we use for our home would allow us to not just take care of the environment, but also for the future generations that’ll come after us.

2. It may lessen your electricity bill

The Philippines endures environmental extremes at both ends of the spectrum with heat and rain experienced at particular times throughout the year. A well-constructed green home will assist in regulating the temperature and moisture in your home, which means possible lesser use of artificial cooling devices like air-conditioner and ventilation fans during hot months. 

3. They’re a cost-effective investment


Choosing alternatives like reclaimed lumber, galvanized iron, or even fiber cement boards save you energy and money over time because they degrade slowly.

4. You can DIY to build green 

Building green at home can be your very own DIY project. You can start small like replacing your traditional incandescent lights with LED options as they consume less energy, last longer, and cost more or less the same as energy-sapping bulbs. Eventually, instead of using new plastic or leather furniture, you can thrift for some nice second hand pieces from antique stores (or from your parents). For home repairs, for a great environmentally friendly option would be fiber cement boards for roof’s eaves.

5. Green building materials are intelligently made



Same goes to knowing the ingredients behind the food you eat, using green building materials that were produced mindfully, reducing concerns around how safe or well your house parts will withstand the elements, as well as time.

There are few companies that support green building and manufacture products that are environmentally friendly. One trusted brand which does this is HardieFlex.

Take HardieFlex Eaves fiber cement boards for example.  These boards assist in ventilation by reducing heat load inside the house or building. When correctly installed in accordance with our installation guides, they assist in the regulation of temperature, moisture and air under the roof, resulting in better ventilation.

Collect the entire plush pillow line featuring Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) popular Jack ‘n Jill snack brands: Nova, Chippy, Vcut, Chiz Curls, Piattos and Calbee Honey Butter

If you have been frequenting Toys "R" Us stores in Trinoma like we do. Because my partner is always checking on Transformers, you will notice Jack 'n Jill plushies along the pillow section. They are cute, colorful and fun to collect, plus they are huggable too. They're fun to display inside your room or car.

Jack ‘n Jill cuddly collectibles, created exclusively by Toys“R”Us Philippines, are now available in Toys“R”Us stores nationwide for only Php 269.75 each.

Collect the entire plush pillow line featuring Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) popular Jack ‘n Jill snack brands: Nova, Chippy, Vcut, Chiz Curls, Piattos and Calbee Honey Butter. Watch out for more exclusive merchandise from Toys“R”Us and URC.

Watch The rise of Phenomenal Star Maine Mendoza on Tik Tok

I discovered Tik Tok app when my grand kid Finn showed what he has been doing the past months. Its the cutest and engaging app that everyone has been uploading their vids on including local celebrities. Maine Mendoza, included.

It took Maine Mendoza at least 10 seconds to make her dreams come true. Three years after her “dubbing” videos went viral online, there is still no stopping her surge to the top. 

In fact, Maine has recently garnered almost 100,000 likes and over 1 million Instagram views over a week after she posted a 10-second video on the short video platform Tik Tok. The video that showed Maine depicting a horse chase but only to reveal that it was all made up. In 10 seconds, she showed her comedic timing and creativity and entertained thousands of viewers at the same time.

Check the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjd1Kyvgl7j/

The Queen of Social Media said that the rise of her popularity would not be possible without the help of online platforms. Growing up from an ordinary girl sharing talent on social media, Maine unlocked doors that paved the way for her to become everyone’s favorite “yaya”. In fact, in 2015, she was the third most-searched topic on Google in the Philippines.

In a snap, the culinary arts degree holder became a nationwide sensation. Her secret dream of becoming an actor has finally come true. She became a mainstay at the favorite noontime show Eat Bulaga, appearing six times a week on prime time. She has appeared in at least three films including a lead role for “Imagine You and Me” in 2016.

And in between tapings and other commitments, “that girl” still got time to pursue her other passion—writing. She has launched her first book, “Yup, I Am That Girl”, in 2017.

For everything she has achieved in a span of three years, Maine’s spot in the industry has been secured. And she will keep doing what she loves the most.

“Let’s see, I do not want to say anything in particular kasi what’s important to me naman is doing what makes me happy. Walang echos,” she said.

Despite all the success, Maine has not forgotten her roots. To inspire more young creators to come out of their shells and share their talent to the world, she is now leading the #artengpilipino category of Tik Tok’s “Talent ng Pilipino” Audition, a talent contest that has been successfully held worldwide for a dozen of times with over 800,000 users participating. The Audition has brought a craze of creativity in the Philippines with over 60,000 videos received since its launch on May 26.

Watch some other videos from Tik Tok Filipino influencers below:

Mikee Quintos: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjg_QODD8Sf/
Klea Pineda: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjREvbZniup/
Joyce Ching: https://www.instagram.com/p/BjO0SXqjpe-/

To assist young dreamers, Maine gave a few pointers on how to make the best use of Tik Tok in achieving their goals.

“I love that Tik Tok has a lot of filters that you can use as you record your video. You can choose from various effects that you think would go well in your Tik Tok video,” she said.

Maine encouraged the users to explore the app and go beyond their imagination.

“Just be creative and see what happens. You’ll come up with something entertaining, for sure! If not, you can always try again and do something different! Marami naming choices at walang limit! You can do as many videos as you want,” she added.

But more importantly, Maine told the young creators to just be themselves.

“Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Don’t let the fear of being judged or disliked hold you back from doing your thing. I am very sure you’ll discover new things about yourself as you go along. And who knows, tulad ng nangyari sa akin, baka mangyari din sa inyo,” she said.

Maine also highlighted the importance of humility especially when success and fame kick in.

“Don’t let it get to your head. Nothing is permanent in this world so enjoy what’s happening to you but always stay grounded,” she said.

With Talent ng Pilipino, Maine’s story has come full circle. Except this time, nobody is asking who is that girl. ###

Grab exclusive freebies and avail of cash-on-delivery and free shipping when you purchase any OPPO smartphone at the OPPO store on Shopee Mall

OPPO Philippines and leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan Shopee strengthen their partnership with more value deals through the OPPO F7 lineup available online. Shopee Users who purchase the OPPO F7 and F7 128GB on the OPPO store on Shopee Mall will get freebies like Olike Bluetooth Headphones, Olike Magic Music Lamps, and selfie sticks. They can also avail of the cash-on-delivery option if they buy up to PHP 5,500.

OPPO F7 128GB Diamond Black
The OPPO F7 128GB in Diamond Black is exclusively available on Shopee. It is a unique member of the OPPO F7 series with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage, along with its powerful Helio P60 processor with A.I. to enjoy the latest games with no hiccups.

Additionally, the F7 embodies the world’s first 25MP front facing camera with OPPO’s famous A.I. Beauty Technology 2.0 that can enhance the face by analyzing up to 296 facial recognition spots.

OPPO F7 64GB
OPPO’s best-selling mid-range smartphone, the F7, is also available on Shopee with a free Olike Magic Music Lamp worth PHP 1,990. Just like the F7 128GB, it further pushes the envelope of mid-range performance with its 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.

Along with having A.I. Scene Recognition technology for the rear camera that can detect up to 16 scenarios for optimized photography, the F7’s A.I. Battery Management can guarantee up to 15 hours of regular usage with a 3,400mAh battery capacity.

Shopee Guarantee
One of the unique features of Shopee is the Shopee Guarantee. It was developed with the needs and preferences of our users in mind. It ensures that buyers can shop without worrying that they won’t receive their orders, and in turn helps sellers by encouraging more people to buy through Shopee.

“We aim to strengthen our partnership with Shopee as it helps us reach more customers and provide them more exclusive deals. Our goal is to widen our product assortment in Shopee to cater to their ever-growing user base,” OPPO Philippines Public Relations Manager Eason de Guzman said.

For more information of OPPO’s official online store on Shopee, visit https://shopee.ph/oppophilippines. The Shopee app can be downloaded for free via App Store or Google Play. Customers may also follow OPPO on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OPPOPH and Shopee at https://www.facebook.com/www.Shopee.ph/ for more updates.