FREIA: One of the most scenic places to live in anywhere in the country

With its promise of relaxed and refined coastal living, the newest residential development from SM Prime’s Costa del Hamilo Inc. is more than your average holiday home—it’s a totally new way of living.

From its groundbreaking in August 2018, FREIA at Pico de Loro Cove became full-blown reality when it officially topped-off on February 18, 2020. 

Hamilo Coast executives and project consultants sign on the ceremonial final beam placed atop Freia’s framework. In the photo are (L to R) Arnulfo Villanueva, Partner/GF+Partner; William Chew, SAVP/Operations; Rolly Policarpio, President/Prompt Managers; Nestor Javier, VP/Project Engineering & Construction Management; Angel France Aguinaldo, Design Director/Budji+Royal Architecture & Design; Shirley Ong, EVP and Business Unit Head/SMLRR; Antonio Felix Ortiga, SAVP/Sales & Projects; Imee Francisco, VP/ Project Development; Rodel Pabalate, President/Paravisible; Carmelyne Bolus, VP/Sales Administration; Jan Michael Garcia, AVP/Project Development; Mabe De Goitia, AVP/Marketing.

Space to Live, Space to Grow

With unparalleled views of the West Philippine Sea and the towering mountains of Batangas, FREIA is positioned to be one of the most scenic places to live in anywhere in the country. 

More than just another residential development, FREIA doubles as both a wise investment and as an out-of-town haven for expats, weekend warriors, retirees, and just about anyone who needs a relaxing change of scenery and escape from the cramped Metro. FREIA is one’s personal space that offers a touch of well-deserved luxury.

The medium-rise, low-density development also offers some of the most expansive living spaces to suit the needs of its future residents. The 214 two-bedroom units range in size from a cozy 67 sqm. getaway to a 154 sqm. area for larger families. The nine three-bedroom penthouse units are spread three to a tower and range from 221 to 392 sqm. each, to give everyone in the family enough privacy while maintaining a pervasive commune atmosphere. All living spaces in FREIA’s residential units were meticulously planned so that each looks out through panoramic windows onto the Resident’s chosen view, whether that of the tranquil West Philippine Sea, a glimpse of Mount Pico on the horizon, or both.

Resort Living at Its Finest

More than that, FREIA also provides an amazing resort living experience by giving its residents access to a variety of amenities designed for their comfort, convenience, and enjoyment. 

Those who purchase a unit at FREIA also acquire membership at Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, where they can enjoy a full range of leisure activities that include Pico Beach’s one-and-a-half-kilometer stretch of white sand beach and clear waters.

Likewise, residents opting to unwind within FREIA’s premises can enjoy the luxury of a lounge deck alongside swimming pools for both adults and children. Adjacent to the pools are function rooms for a whole range of activities—from small intimate gatherings to grand celebrations with family and friends. Even the lawn and gardens are a delight to stroll in, having been designed to be spacious enough to accommodate both family picnics and active pursuits without people bumping into one another. 

Sustainability is also a key point at FREIA, as building maintenance involves a number of environmentally responsible strategies such as waste management, natural ventilation, and rain-water harvesting. Even energy has been considered in the design, with the use of solar power for lighting up common areas.

With its location right on the beachfront with magnificent views of the sea and mountains around it, FREIA is an address that offers a truly charmed and luxurious experience—the kind of sanctuary that is certainly worth coming home to.

For more information, visit the official website at www.hamilocoast.com or call (+632) 7945-8000.

UNIQLO’s new online store extends the reach of the brand to many new customers

Japanese global apparel retailer, UNIQLO, is set to launch its E-commerce platform to the local market in the second half of 2020, to be available both in the UNIQLO website and mobile application.

With millions of internet users in the country, there is a strong customer demand for online shopping in the Philippines. UNIQLO’s new online store will extend the reach of the brand, bringing UNIQLO and its LifeWear apparel to many new customers around the country. It will also bring the brand closer to existing customers, providing a new and convenient shopping experience to complement its much-loved network of retail locations across the Philippines.

“The launch of the UNIQLO online store further strengthens our presence in the Philippines, and brings greater convenience to our customers here. An online store will provide local UNIQLO customers a faster and easier way of purchasing their favorite LifeWear items,” said Masayoshi Nakamura, COO, UNIQLO Philippines.

UNIQLO’s LifeWear philosophy of apparel comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality, and longevity. Each LifeWear piece is crafted with the best fit and the best fabrics and is constantly innovated. With a practical sense of beauty, LifeWear clothes are built to improve people’s lives.

For more updates, customers may download the UNIQLO mobile app, or visit UNIQLO Philippines’ website at www.uniqlo.com/ph and social media account, Facebook (facebook.com/uniqlo.ph), Twitter (twitter.com/uniqloph) and Instagram (Instagram.com/uniqlophofficial). 

SAMSUNG shares different tricks to try on the Galaxy Z Flip

SAMSUNG shared the Galaxy Z Flip with the world to give new ways to multi-task, take photos and videos, and connect with loved ones. To further maximize this stylish and innovative device, here are a few exciting tricks to explore: 

New Tricks to Take Photos and Videos

The Galaxy Z Flip reimagines the way people capture photos and record videos. The device has a Flex Mode that gives multiple angle options when taking a picture. By just waving a palm, the device will automatically snap a selfie.

When folded, the Galaxy Z Flip's Cover Screen can take a photo by just tapping the fingerprint scanner twice. Pressing the volume up button activates the display to snap a selfie. To adjust the lens options, users can simply double-tap on the mini yet functional window. 

Moreover, the Cover Screen also acts as a preview window to allow the subject to see how he or she looks before taking the shot. To activate, open the camera application and tap on the small icon found above the magic wand icon.

New Ways to Multitask at Home

The Galaxy Z Flip allows users to stream a video, compose a message, and view the gallery simultaneously. It has a Multi-Active Window function that allows access to multiple applications as needed.

It is ideal for those who want to take notes while watching a tutorial video. To activate, simply open the Multi-Window Tray from the right side of the display to drag and drop the applications to be used (i.e. stream a clip on the top half of the display while jotting down important instructions on the bottom half). 

When working from home, users can rely on the Galaxy Z Flip. The Galaxy Z Flip is firm enough to stay open like a mini laptop when partially open. The lower half can be used as a keyboard when composing an email.

Meanwhile, music lovers can access Spotify when the Galaxy Z Flip is folded. To start playing, open the application to play one song, fold the device, and swipe left on the Cover Screen to see the rewind, play, and fast forward icons. Swipe right to go back to the original display that shows the time and weather.

New Approach to Stay Connected

Expressing love with family and friends from afar has been amped up with the Galaxy Z Flip. The device’s free-stop hinge allows it to stand by itself in different angles so users can conveniently start a call with loved ones hands-free.

Incoming calls can still be accepted without opening the device. Users just need to swipe right the green phone icon found on the Cover Screen to automatically answer the call. This puts the phone on Speaker Mode, allowing the receiver to start the conversation with another person.

With these tricks on Galaxy Z Flip, people can now have many different ways to capture moments, multitask, and stay connected with loved ones. For more information about the Galaxy Z Flip, visit samsung.com/ph. 

Use PayMaya to get the best deals at the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale

As quarantine guidelines relax across the country, it is still important to continue practicing social distancing in order to curb the spread of the virus. Some physical stores may have started to resume operations but purchasing essentials online remains to be the safest and most convenient option for consumers. And when you pay online using your PayMaya account, your shopping experience is not only more safe and convenient, it is also more sulit!    

      

In line with this, PayMaya has teamed up with Lazada to provide you with the most affordable deals as you stock up on your daily essentials – from cleaning products to frozen goods and other useful household items you can use at home at the Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale from June 4 to 6. You can easily get up to PHP200 off* on top of the already discounted items at Lazada when you pay using your PayMaya virtual or physical card.    

    

And to top it all off, you're not just getting much-needed essential goods at a good discount, you are also helping local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) bounce back from the economic crisis when you shop at Lazada during the Bounce Back Sale. Since most MSMEs have been heavily affected by the pandemic, patronizing their products ensures that they get back on the path to recovery in no time.    

   
    

To avail of this deal, simply redeem the PayMaya collectible discount voucher from the Lazada app starting June 3 to instantly get 10% off your purchase with a minimum spend of PHP1,200. After that, all that’s left to do is head to the checkout page and enter your PayMaya card details to pay for your purchase. Vouchers are valid from June 4 – 6, 2020 only.  
    

    

“We’re glad to work with Lazada in their initiative to support businesses and consumers in these trying times. As the country starts to recover from this pandemic, cashless payment options like PayMaya play a critical role in helping consumers and businesses bounce back from this crisis. For consumers, this means being able to pay for their essentials safely and conveniently. For merchants, this means being able to accepts payments, as businesses transition to online,” said Shailesh Baidwan, President of PayMaya Philippines.    

     

Going cashless for your online and in-store purchases provides the safest payment experience for you and the merchant you’re transacting with as this reduces contact brought about by cash handling. Apart from purchasing essential items online, you can also use PayMaya to settle your government and utility bills, send money to your loved ones, buy load and gaming pins, and so much more, at the safety of your home. To know more deals you can get with your PayMaya account, visit www.PayMaya.com/deals. Basta Lazada, don’t pay cash. PayMaya!  

     

If you don’t have your own PayMaya account yet, it’s easy to switch to a safe and hassle-free way of paying. Just download the PayMaya app for Android or iOS, create and register your own account, and start paying for anything both online and in stores! To make the most our of your PayMaya account, check out https://www.paymaya.com/quick-guide.      

       

Don’t forget to follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more news and updates!       

       

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines with platforms and services that cuts across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing the payments acceptance for the largest e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya is enabling national and social services agencies as well as local government units with digital payments and disbursement services.      

       

Through its PayMaya app and wallet, it is providing millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of traditional bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner agents nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Get up to Php 4,000 off with Acer's Learn From Home Program

This year's back-to-school activities are very different from those of the past years. For 2020, students are staying home to learn and study online so instead of new uniforms and school bags, they now need new laptops. 

In line with this, Acer Philippines launched its Learn From Home Program that would give students discounts of up to Php 4,000 on selected Acer laptops starting May 30, 2020 until July 15, 2020. Everyone can avail of this promo from the Acer Online Store (http://store.acer.com/en-ph) and Acer Authorized Resellers. 

Qualified Acer laptops for Acer Learn From Home include the Acer Swift 3 SF314-41 with AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor priced at only Php28,999 from Php32,999 and the Acer Swift 3 SF314-57 powered by Intel Core i5 processor valued at only Php 39,999 from Php 42,999. 

The Swift 3 laptops are thin, lightweight, and stylish but also powerful enough for a full day of school work and entertainment. 

Also included in the Learn From Home Program is the highly popular Acer Aspire 3 series. Powered by the latest Intel Processors, these laptops are known for their solid productivity performance, very good battery life, excellent assortment of ports, and comfortable keyboard and touchpad. 

"We are very happy to offer to everyone our most popular and efficient products, including the Aspire 3 and Swift 3 series, for the Learn From Home Program. These gadgets are every student’s perfect companions for the coming school year’s study sessions at home,” said Sue Ong-Lim, Acer Philippines' General Manager. “We hope that through this program, we can help make students increase their knowledge and productivity even if they are at home.”

Every purchase of a qualifying laptop entitles the customer to avail of the special Learn From Home Program price. There is no maximum number of purchases per customer or company. Only those laptops purchased from the official Web site and/or Acer Philippines Authorized Resellers are qualified for the promo. 

For full product line up included in this program, go to http://store.acer.com/en-ph. You may also visit Acer’s Official Social Media Pages for more details: Facebook – @AcerPH, Instagram – @acerph, Twitter – @acerphils, www.acer.com.

First 50 purchasers of realme 6 on June 5 will get a 6-month Mobile Legends Starlight Membership

realme Philippines, lifestyle partner of the youth, joins the much-awaited Lazada 6.6 Bounce Back Sale from June 04 to June 06, 2020, with the prices of its smartphone and AioT devices marked down up to 29% along with exclusive one-time offers 

realme Brand Mega Offer – 12AM to 2AM

Fans are encouraged to add to their carts and check out items during the realme Brand Mega Offer which will happen from 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m on June 04. One of the best deals one can get is for the 64MP quad-camera powerhouse realme XT (8GB RAM + 128GB storage), whose official discounted price is just at PHP 13,990 or PHP 3,000 less from its original price. The newly launched realme 6 series – realme 6i, 6 and 6 Pro – will also be among those to be discounted.

Fitness buffs who are looking for an efficient tool of monitoring may also avail of a 29% discount on the recently launched realme band, having PHP 990 as its official discounted price.  realme’s smart audio device realme Buds Air will be available for only Php2,990, while the realme Buds 2 for only Php500.

June 4 – 6 Whole Day Regular Offers

Those who hit the sack early need not be dismayed for regular deals will be available throughout the Bounce Back Sale from June 04 to 06. realme fans can score up to 10% in discounts on select realme items during this period. 

Additionally, on June 05, the first 50 customers who purchase the realme 6 (4+128 or 8+128), the smartphone that is built for gamers, will get a 6-month Mobile Legends starlight membership worth Php5,000 pesos.

Customers may check out the different realme products available in the Philippines through the brand’s official Lazada Flagship Store: https://bit.ly/2XPPAHk. For more information on the products of realme Philippines, fans may proceed to realme.com/ph/.

Globe and V Live Brings Exclusive Content to K-Pop Fans

For Filipino K-pop fans who are always on the lookout for their daily dose of K-Pop content, you can now binge-watch all your favorite idols’ concerts and livestreams on your phones anytime, anywhere.

Globe is teaming up with the no. 1 South Korean live video streaming and entertainment platform service, V Live, to be its first telecommunications company partner in Southeast Asia to provide exclusive K-Pop idol content to millions of Globe subscribers in the Philippines.      

Seeing the growing demand for Korean content in the country, Globe ensures that users who are K-pop fans can continue to #KmmunityHwaiting and stay connected to their favorite KPop idols. 

On V Live, fans have access to hundreds of Korean celebrities and artists, including popular groups BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, TXT, and NCT to name a few. Aside from live concerts and music videos, the app also showcases personalized idol livestreams and even allows fans the opportunity to interact with them through chat.

“As we are relying on the internet for our main source of entertainment, we want to offer all types of content for our diverse set of users, and that includes streaming services for our subscribers who are avid fans of Korean pop music,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. “We will continue to introduce packages and data bundles to make Korean pop culture related content more accessible to millions of our users across the country.”

To stream K-Pop content on V Live, Globe subscribers can register through Globe’s prepaid data packages and promos, such as GoWATCH, GoSURF and GoSAKTO, and HomeWATCH for Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi users.

Through GoWATCH, subscribers can continue to watch hour after hour of video and streaming content without worrying about using up their data allowance. GoSURF and GoSAKTO subscribers, meanwhile, can enjoy an additional 1GB of free data each day for streaming and watching. As for HomeWATCH subscribers, up to 4GB of free data can be used each day.

V Live is the latest addition to Globe’s roster of video streaming site partners.

For more information on Globe data packages, visit www.globe.com.ph and follow Globe Telecom on Facebook. 

To get first dibs on K-culture related updates, exclusive invites to viewing and listening parties, quiz nights and other activities, join the Kmmunity PH Facebook group.

Hongkong Disneyland: Before and After Corona

Just because I love Hongkong.  It was last year that I've decided to book a flight  na ako lang sana mag isa. It was originally planned on Dec 4-8.  Try ko sana mag solo backpacker. Read my first posts here. 

http://www.lemongreenteaph.com/2020/01/what-to-do-in-hongkong-2nd-day-with-or.html

http://www.lemongreenteaph.com/2019/12/what-to-do-in-hongkong-first-day-with.html

But my partner advised against it,  na dapat kasama sya at ano naman daw ang gagawin ko dun mag isa?  Kaya ayun we booked a Cathay Pacific flight from Dec 18-24, 2019 and spent christmas eve sa HK airport. 

Hongkong is my favorite country, sa dinami dami ng pagpipilian between Korea and Japan,  sya pa din  ang pinili ko. Been there 5x already. The first time was in 2009 together with my daughter and friends, and after that 2013, 2015, 2017 and  2019 respectively, with of course @whereiseduy, my partner in crime.

Hongkong never fails to amaze me, ang dami kse attractions and ang lakas lang maka bata. 

We always include Macau sa trip namin.  For visa stamping and all, hahaha. 

But not this time, we decided to explore HK by train and shopping na din on the side. Then syempre sa aming "happiest place on earth" Disneyland.  Dahil sa maniwala kayo at sa hindi isip bata pa din ako kahit lola na. =) 

We booked our hotel through Agoda. Ang daming murang hotel last year, because of the protest going on since August extended until December. Nag stop lang  because of Corona virus. 

We stayed along Nathan Road para malapit sa MTR,  Mongkok, Jordan, fast food, restaurant and buses. Ayaw namin magutom noh. Hahaha.

Our itineraries included yung galaan sa Wan Chai for my partner dahil sa toys, Causeway Bay for Sephora, IKEA, Decathlon,  H&M . Maswerte din lang kami kse nsa tabi lang namin Dondonki for those cute "japan japan" things . And of course, nag ikot din kami ng milk tea shops. Mas masarap and mura pa din ang "teas" sa Taiwan. 

Mostly, shopping lang talaga ang ginawa namin and included Disneyland sa 3rd day para ma feel na din yung Christmas sa Disney.

The first day that we arrived in Hongkong halos lahat naka facemask na sa kalye. Windy kse that time and mejo malamig na kaya most of the people na masalubong namin ay may ubo or sipon. It never occured to us that covid-19 would strike any time during those month. Mabuti na lang din at naka vitamins kami so that mejo malakas ang immunity namin sa sakit. 

Guys, I know matatapos din etong pandemic. I hope by the time na mabasa nyo eto ay meron ng cure or vaccine. Lets all pray and hope for the best.

WISHFUL THINKING PO AKO!

If next year by December ay okay na ang Hongkong and you have booked your hotel along Nathan Road. This is how to get to Disneyland coming from TST or Nathan Road. 


HOW TO GET TO DISNEYLAND FROM NATHAN ROAD VIA MTR

You can use your Octopus card going to Disneyland. So, bumili ka na ng Octopus card when you get to HK airport or you can order it via Klook, then pick up na lang sa airport.

You can go via MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui Station, on Nathan Road the journey to Disneyland Resort Station takes about 45 mins including interchanges at Lai King (to the Tung Chung Line) and Sunny Bay (to the Disneyland Resort Line). 

This is by far the fastest way going to Disneyland. I would not recommend taxi or bus. But if you have the budget to splurge for the taxi eh di sge go. 

Last train from Disneyland is just after midnight. The last leg of the MTR journey from Sunny Bay to Disneyland is on a Disney-themed train. 

Eto yung bungad sa min madami pang tao but we were expecting na konti na lang eto since may protest during that time. 

This was the attraction/scene before the corona virus..

Disney Popcorn!

And this was taken last January when Covid-19 took Hongkong and China..

It became a ghost town in an instant. According to news,  Shanghai Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland in succession on January 25 and 26  both have remained closed since. To contain the spread of Covid-19, as the danger of the virus and the disease became clear. 

May 15-30 marked the 2nd month of lockdown here in Metro Manila. 

Lockdown has been enforced to other countries like Italy, Ireland, US and  Spain. 

I am praying for everyone's safety. Prevention is cure so always bring your alcohol/sanitizer with you to disinfect. Wash your hands thoroughly. Take your vitamins and stay indoors. 

Hongkong MTR station

This is the new normal. Praying that a cure and or a vaccine would be up in a month or so. But for now, take care and stay safe everyone. 

Travel safely if you must. See you all soon in Hongkong when everything get back to normal.

Data says Pinoy love can still last forever in the quarantine age, this charity show tells you how

In the recent Havas Ortega Group report “Love in the Quarantine Age,” Filipinos said they still believe love can last forever. But do Pinoy millennials feel the same way, too? 

Top improv group, Third World Improv (TWI) transformed market research into a comedy show entitled “Powerpoint PartTWI: Love in the Quarantine Age” to raise funds for OPEN HOUSE, an online fundraising project that supports Filipino artists and creative workers who lost their jobs and income to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Based on Havas’ “Love in the Quarantine Age” Prosumer Report, 10 members of TWI and pioneering Filipino improv group Silly People's Improv Theater (SPIT) performed live on the TWI Facebook Page about what PInoy love looks like in the middle of a crisis when the only remaining medium of connection between people is digital. 

Jos Ortega, CEO of Havas Ortega, says “We have put a lot of time and effort in trying to understand our audience’s motivations and beliefs but this pandemic has shaken things up! Even the most romantic Filipinos are in limbo and are asking what the new dating rules are, what a loving relationship feels like, and what commitment means when you’re not even allowed to see or hold your partner. We have studied love in the digital age globally and locally. But what does this same love look like in the quarantine age?” 

Among key “hugots” in the report that the show tackled are: 62% believe It’s easier to break up with someone through text or social media; 51% believe sex has nothing to do with falling in love; 45% believe artificial intelligence will be able to tell us if we are really in love and in a sustainable relationship; and, 98% believe having children is one of life's ultimate achievements with or without a partner. 

“As our industry unexpectedly moved to the digital space, we theater and improv artists were challenged to engage an audience that is anxious yet yearning for human connection. We wanted to use the Powerpoint presentation format to remind them of a time when everything had a clear definition, structure and schedule—and to show them that it just might be the most stubborn, funniest way to discuss love and all its possibilities amid a very chaotic period,” said Gabe Mercado, President of TWI, the first school in the Philippines dedicated to teaching the art and craft of improvisational theater. 

OPEN HOUSE was created by TWI together with Philstage, Theater Actor’s Guild and SPIT Mnl, in cooperation with Ticket2Me, for the benefit of Artists Welfare Project, Inc. 

“TWI witnessed thousands of Filipinos from the entertainment and live events industry struggle as the prolonged lockdown took away their livelihood. With data provided by Havas, we are grateful that we were able to develop a show that raised awareness about the plight of our colleagues and generated funds for them. We are hoping for more innovative collaborations like this in the future," Mercado added. 

“Powerpoint PartTWI: Love in the Quarantine Age” is still available for viewing here: 

TWI Facebook Page 

Open House donation channel Ticket2Me through the link 

bit.ly/DonateOpenHouse also remains open.