Manulife Flex your Future: Alden shares how he dealt with stress and anxiety

In these difficult times, we should prioritize our health before anything else. Manulife PH through Flex your Future webinar shared Iza Calzado's battle with COVID-19, Alden's spoke about anxiety together with other celebrity guests. 

Manulife Philippines organized the "Flex Your Future: Personalize your journey to health and wellness" webinar, with celebrities Alden Richards, Iza Calzado-Wintle, Jessy Mendiola, and mental health advocate Dr. Gia Sison as guest speakers, and Luis Manzano as host. They shared their health goals, habits, tips, personal experiences and even discussed challenges they’ve faced, especially during the pandemic, to give Filipinos insights into starting their wellness journeys based on their needs. 

 

The up-close-and-personal virtual meet was held in line with Manulife's launch of HealthFlex, the first and only flexible life and health insurance solution in the market, which empowers Filipinos to personalize their critical illness coverage and choose the plan that best meets their needs. 

 

"The pandemic has been a strong reminder that taking care of our health is of utmost importance. However, caring for our physical well-being is not just about being physically healthy. We also need to build our financial muscles and make sure we are prepared for unexpected medical concerns and expenses. Based on Manulife's study Understanding Filipinos’ Sentiments Toward Health and Critical Illness, there is a mismatch between our desire to live healthy and our actual lifestyles. Likewise, there is a gap between our expected expenses, in the event of critical illness, and how much we are actually able to save. We must improve our physical health to prevent critical illness, and also improve our financial habits, to be prepared should illness still strike," said Melissa Henson, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Philippines. 

 

"These insights helped us in creating HealthFlex, which enables Filipinos to choose the life and health insurance plan that suits them best. This new product was developed to cover critical illnesses that are top-of-mind for Filipinos and are perceived to be the most expensive to treat. As there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to insurance protection, customers can personalize their HealthFlex plan based on their protection needs,” added Henson.

 

Kicking off the webinar, health advocate Dr. Gia Sison spoke about how Filipinos can stay physically and mentally healthy during COVID-19. She also shared her own cancer journey, and how her fight against the Big C emboldened her to remain strong in overcoming any challenges in life, and to share her lessons with people who have fought or are fighting the same battle. 

 

“Anyone can be diagnosed with the Big C. While many of us may be aware of the things that we need to do to live a healthier lifestyle, often we do not always convert these into actions. We should learn how to walk the talk as having the right mindset can lead us to our health goals,” Sison said. 

 

Meanwhile, Calzado-Wintle shared her story as a survivor of COVID-19, and what she went through after being diagnosed positive for the coronavirus. While it derailed many of her plans, the support of her husband, and the care and service of medical workers helped her make it through the ordeal. The experience also made her a stronger person and an even more passionate advocate of taking care of one's health, including body and self-love.

 

“Having gotten sick, I realized that health is really the most important thing we have in life. It made me reflect on what I should do. I learned about the acronym LIFE. L stands for learning how to face our struggles and turn them into strength. I stands for interconnectedness - about connecting with the people you love. F refers to forgiveness - of yourself and of others. Lastly, E stands for enjoy - enjoying and valuing the one life we have,” Calzado-Wintle said. 

 

For Mendiola, grappling with societal pressures to conform to narrow beauty standards had been a huge challenge, and really affected her health. Learning from her experience, she now advocates for body positivity and personalizing your health journey to what serves you best. 

 

“The only way to be truly happy and healthy is to accept yourself. You have to learn to recognize your insecurities, accept them, and do something about them. Learn to become the best version of yourself by building up your spiritual, mental, and physical well-being,” Mendiola shared.

 

As an entrepreneur determined to keep his businesses afloat and support his employees despite the pandemic, Richards spoke about how he dealt with the stress and anxiety he faced. He believes that keeping healthy is vital, even in the context of meeting one's business and career goals. He also shared his fitness transformation journey that made him better, physically, emotionally, and mentally. 

 

“Self-discipline is very important as the road to fitness can be challenging. Find a routine that you will enjoy so you can be consistent with your workouts. While it is important to also eat in moderation, you need to also find a way to reward yourself from time to time. Lastly, respect your efforts. A small progress is still progress. If you work out and eat right regularly, you will achieve powerful results,” Richards said. 

 

Based on the abovementioned Manulife’s study, most Filipinos feel financially unprepared to cover healthcare expenses in the event of critical illness, believing that the cost of treatment is more than they can afford. HealthFlex is thus designed to enable Filipinos to choose the best protection plan that is made more affordable to meet their needs, and to make their every day better with financial peace of mind in case critical illness strikes. To know more about HealthFlex, you can visit http://manulife.pub/health_flex, and a financial adviser will reach out to you. 

 

To watch the full webinar, visit and follow Manulife’s Facebook page.

 

Express Clean partners with Alfamart, open up new branches in the pandemic

For a small business, growing at a comfortable pace can be tough. Not only do you have to worry about keeping yourself out of the red, you’ll also have to make the right amount of profit so you have enough to invest back into developing your business.

 

This was pretty much the reality that Arles Uy was faced with when he started Express Clean, a self-service laundromat, back in 2017. “It was a total risk with doubts and uncertainty involved,” Uy related. He added that starting his business was a gamble with whatever savings he had at the time. “As an entrepreneur, you need to be ready to take those calculated risks.”

The Express Clean branch in San Fernando, Pampanga was the first of many in a fruitful partnership with Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart chain in the Philippines.

 

But a chance meeting with Alfamart, the first and only Super Minimart chain in the country, changed everything. Fortuitously, Alfamart was looking for partners to grow with, by subleasing some of their space to small businesses. Express Clean began their partnership with Alfamart in December 2017, opening their first branch in San Pedro, Laguna, right beside the store.

 

Since then, Express Clean has expanded to seven branches; each beside an Alfamart store. “Alfamart provided us the platform to jumpstart our growth in the industry,” Uy said. “We saw remarkable potential in the concept of a self-service type of laundry. Our partnership with Alfamart helped us realize it,” he added.

Ever since its entry into the Philippine market in 2014, Alfamart has kept its development grassroots-focused, constantly looking for partners to grow with “When we brought the brand in from Indonesia, we didn’t just take the Alfamart name,” said Alfamart Philippines COO Harvey Ong. “We also brought with it the philosophy of starting from the bottom up, growing with the communities we serve and the partners that we engage with,” he continued.

 

Much like other small businesses, Express Clean was also affected by the recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID19) pandemic’s economic impact. “Undeniably, this pandemic has tested the mettle of many businesses, including ours,” Uy said. “Fortunately for us, our operational system has already been established, hence, enabling us to withstand the situation. With the support of Alfamart, as well as the flexible arrangements they provided their tenants during this crisis, not only were we able to consolidate our operations, but we were also able to open up new branches during the lockdown period,” he explained.

 

“It is through the help of reliable partners that we were able to overcome the challenges of the pandemic,” Ong concurred. “We can rely on them, and they can rely on us,” he concluded.

 

For more information on how your business can work together with Alfamart, you may visit https://www.alfamart.com.ph/be-a-tenant/.

Make "Idol in Action" a part of your daily routine from Mondays to Fridays, 10:30 a.m. on TV5 and on One PH

If youre a regular of Raffy Tulfo in his Youtube channel like me. You can now watch him everyday on TV5 and on OnePH via Cignal TV with his new show Idol in Action in a new time slot. 

Raffy Tulfo, hard-hitting and straight talking broadcast journalist has been strengthening the line-up of programs on TV5 and on OnePH via Cignal TV and SatLite through his program Idol in Action airing every Monday to Friday with its new time slot at 10:30 a.m. The show has garnered avid fans and is also streamed via YouTube for viewers world-wide especially for Pinoy OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) who's following have made Raffy’s Wanted sa Radyo program a global phenomenon.

Idol in Action is hosted by the masses “Idol”, Raffy Tulfo who has carved a niche for himself in his over 20 years in public service and Philippine broadcasting.  Raffy has been known to take quick action and provide immediate solutions to issues presented to him by his listeners, and his viewers over TV5. His affable and yet no-holds-barred persona has helped resolve concerns regarding social injustices committed by people in power against ordinary citizens; gaining him the title, “Hari ng Public Service.”

To date, he has garnered 16 million followers on his YouTube channel Raffy Tulfo in Action and has an active community of 3.1 million in his official Facebook group. With these growing number of viewers, alongside his ability to strike a good balance between serious & light segments, there is no doubt that Raffy, who also anchors the primetime newscast Frontline Pilipinas and the radio program Wanted sa Radyo, has the confidence and admiration of millions of Filipinos here and around the world. 

Idol in Action, which debuted on TV5 and on One PH last June 8, 2020, is a daytime public service program that shares stories that are relatable, beneficial and insightful for the masses. It has a unique show format that strikes a good balance of social empathy along with its fun and light segments. It tackles problems and concerns in straightforward and diverse ways, utilizing the host’s strong networking with government offices and agencies. Through its “Tulong ni Idol” segment, the show also assists listeners who write or call in their personal woes and the chosen ones get a call during the show and receive from Php5,000 to Php50,000. These video clips are also posted in Raffy’s Facebook Group to allow other good Samaritans who might want to give assistance to our less fortunate compatriots. 

Helping Raffy enliven the show is his Liga ng mga Taga-Serbisyo Publiko. Idol in Action is co-hosted by MJ Marfori and Marga Vargas, both renowned hosts and journalists who have been in the industry for many years. Marga handles “Taray Nyo Teh, Tikas Nyo Tol'' where she helps those who have issues concerning relationships, moving on, and those who want to start a new life. MJ shares the latest in celebrity news with her segment “Hola!” and is also the show’s social mood checker in the segment “MJ’s Timbangan” where she features people’s opinions and reactions on social media.

Also part of Raffy’s Liga ng mga Taga-Serbisyo Publiko are segment hosts: Maricel Tulfo, his daughter who spearheads the segment “Sinimulan Mo, Tatapusin Ko!” where she relays the conclusion of the cases the show has handled. Kapitana Carol Domingo who is in the segment “I-tag mo, Pasisikatin ko!” helps people who post their woes on social media. The segment “Hani ng Bayan”, hosted by Hannibal Talete, an off-site show correspondent collates the opinions of Filipinos regarding certain topics. Lastly, Roda Magnaye who is part of the segment “Itimbre Mo Kay Idol!” where ordinary citizens voice out their concerns to Raffy on-air.

Make Idol in Action a part of your daily routine from Mondays to Fridays, 10:30 a.m. on TV5 and on One PH which is available on Cignal TV and SatLite CH. 01. You can also watch replays of the episodes via Raffy Tulfo in Action on Youtube.

UnionBank The Portal: Provides superior transaction banking experiences to users

Last October 20, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) held the fifth installment of its E-TalkTales series wherein Head of Transaction Banking Mon Duarte discussed the Bank’s various transaction banking solutions, particularly The Portal, its all-digital banking platform for corporate clients.

Duarte began the discussion by differentiating UnionBank’s Transaction Banking solutions, which he defined as simply offering customized solutions to help digitize our corporate clients.  Traditional transaction banking helps manage flow of funds by facilitating collections and payments, over-the-counter check deposits, to the provision of armored car services for high cash transaction situations, among others.

The main focus of Duarte's discussion was UnionBank's The Portal, its digital banking platform specially designed for corporate clients. Offering a host of solutions that include bills payments, payroll, fund transfers, check writing services, merchant payment gateway systems, and credit facilities, The Portal provides corporations with all their essential banking needs in a single platform.

Knowing that each corporate entity has needs and priorities that are uniquely theirs, UnionBank designed The Portal in a way that allows it to provide utmost flexibility to clients, making it the preferred platform for those who don't want the one-size-fits-all approach of most competitors when it comes to the corporate banking solutions they offer.

Part of the flexibility offered by The Portal comes by way of various customization options available to clients. Depending on the current needs of their organization, clients can choose only the solutions that they want to avail of at the moment, and then adjust later on. To make it easier, the Bank created a number of packaged solutions based on what it thinks would make sense for clients, which they can avail of anytime via The Portal website.

Another key feature of The Portal in terms of flexibility is the possible configurations for transaction approvals. With this feature, corporates will be able to establish a specific maker-checker process for each transaction made by their team members. This will give them free control over who can make which transaction, as well as the maximum amount for each transaction depending on who makes it, among others.

With The Portal, UnionBank aims to make transaction banking as seamless for users as possible, and the Bank wants to make this very clear right from the moment a client starts using the platform—the onboarding process.

Onboarding is typically one of the most stressful phases of using a new platform for many corporates, since it involves learning a new set of interfaces and processes. This phase can take a few days or weeks or even a few months to finish. With The Portal, however, UnionBank also digitized the onboarding processes so that clients can get into the platform in less than a day, usually within a few minutes, with no further training needed.

These are only a few innovative features of The Portal. As the Bank continues its digital transformation journey, more services will become available in the coming months.

The Portal is not based on any third-party digital framework. Instead, it was built from the ground up. In creating The Portal, UnionBank was guided by the principle of having a simple integrated platform in order to ensure the best user experience for customers. For the Bank, providing superior transaction banking experiences to users is a top priority, and The Portal is the perfect representation of what it believes transaction banking should be.

BDO Foundation partners with Go Negosyo for the implementation of pooled RT-PCR testing in Mandaluyong

As part of concerted efforts to contain COVID-19, BDO Foundation is partnering with Go Negosyo, the Philippine Children's Medical Center and the local government of Mandaluyong for the implementation of pooled RT-PCR testing in the city. 

 

The event  highlighted messages of support from the BDO Foundation leadership, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, Mandaluyong City mayor Menchie Abalos, Philippine Children's Medical Center executive director Dr. Julius Lecciones, and Iloilo 1st District representative Dr. Janette Garin, who serves as project consultant. 

BDO Foundation previously launched the initiative in Makati City and Cebu City for the testing of an estimated 8,000 public market vendors and PUV drivers. Testing in Makati has been completed, and a report is being prepared. Training in Cebu has begun, and actual pooled testing will be performed soon. 

 

Considered a game changer in efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, pooled testing combines swab samples from individuals and examines them together using a single reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR test kit. Pools of five, 10 or 20 persons are tested depending on the prevalence of COVID-19 in an area. The method is expected to boost capacities, expedite tests and significantly reduce costs.

Kakaibabe Donnalyn Bartolome is the new face of reame 7i

realme Philippines, the top 2 smartphone brand in the country, joins every passionate young Filipino as they start their quest for success with powerful and reliable technology. Starting October 22, the latest realme device -- realme 7i -- will be available in the Philippines. The realme 7i launch was headlined by certified kakaibabe Donnalynn Bartolome, the official face of realme 7i. 

 

A stylish and dependable lower midrange smartphone that gets the job done for the country’s next top students, artists, vloggers and photographers. Donnalynn led the reveal of realme 7i’s stylish design, 64MP quad-camera setup that captures every style, large display with a 90Hz refresh rate and large-capacity 5,000mAh battery with 18W Fast Charge technology. 

 

All these features and power come packaged in a trendy design inspired by the whimsical scenes of the Arctic and the Northern Lights. The realme 7i comes in two colorways: Polar Blue and Aurora Green. The back of the phone has a mirror finish at the top and a matte finish at the bottom perfect for the users’ inner fashionista.

“Although quarantine measures restrict travel and gatherings and require us to stay indoors, this doesn’t mean that life stops. People still have to work, get an education, enhance their skills and pursue their passions. We want to make adjusting to the new normal easier through the realme 7i, our midrange offering that can help young Filipinos start pursuing their passions and succeed in their daily adventures. Whether it be doing work or school requirements during the day or gaming and binge-watching at night, the realme 7i delivers an elevated and uninterrupted smartphone experience, a fitting cap to the launch of our 7 series,” shares realme Philippines VP for Marketing Austine Huang. 

The launch coincided with the announcement of realme 7i’s ambassador, Philippine Social Media Sweetheart Donnalynn Bartolome. Bartolome gained online popularity by unapologetically being herself across her work, from music to online content. The social media star walked the audience through the best features of the realme 7i and showcased how the new device can be the youth’s stylish partner in pursuing their passions, skills and interests.

 

For those always on the run

Young go-getters constantly juggling roles and responsibilities -- deadlines to meet, emails to answer, friends to catch up with, modules to finish, phone calls to make -- will find the perfect partner for their high-maintenance schedule with the realme 7i. 

 

The newest  smartphone from realme Philippines, as revealed by Donnalynn, boasts a 5,000mAh battery and 18W Fast Charge technology that needs less than two hours to fully charge and lasts up to 34 days on standby mode. The realme 7i’s large-capacity battery is perfect for aspiring content creators, students and digital buffs who are looking for a stylish and heavy-duty smartphone that can support their daily lifestyle activities.

 

When used in Super Power Saving Mode, the phone can last up to 41.1 hours on standby even with only 5 percent power, a very helpful tool especially if you don’t have a powerbank on hand. 

 

Ready for your close-up?

Developing creative skills, especially if you’re a beginner, gets easy with the new UIS Max Video Stabilization feature of the realme 7i. Besides a wider field of vision, it ensures an anti-shake effect for that smooth shot even while running or jumping that’s just perfect for that next vlog. The realme 7i’s powerful camera also has built-in night filters such as Cyberpunk, Flamingo and Modern Gold for ready-to-go artistic shots. 

 

Young Filipino users eager to take their mobile photography a notch higher can rely on realme 7i’s quad-camera module with four different lenses -- 64MP primary camera, EIS 119-degree ultra-wide lens, macro lens and B&W portrait lens -- ready to capture even the minutest detail of that new artwork, and a perfect buddy in unleashing the inner fashionista. For even better selfies, the realme 7i’s 16MP front camera is developed for different skin types, face shapes and features, allowing users to take more accurate and natural-looking shots.

 

The realme 7i is powered by a 16MP front camera sensor that supports AI beauty, bokeh effect, and  HDR. With these superb camera features, vloggers, influencers and enthusiasts can take bomb selfies and enhance their Instagram feeds while investing in their hobbies without having to drain their wallets in the process.  

 

Immersive experience that never goes out of style

A few hours of relaxing and de-stressing never hurt anybody, right? 

 

Donnalynn flaunted realme 7i’s 6.5 inches large display, perfect for binge-watching favorite series on TV or Netflix with family or hours of video games with friends. With the realme 7i’s 90Hz refresh rate, videos play smoother and snappier and video game details look sharper -- and all without lag. Users can now enjoy multitasking without worrying.

 

Price and availability

The realme 7i available in the Philippine comes in the 8GB RAM+128GB storage configuration and retails for Php11,990. This latest 7 series device will initially be available exclusively on the official stores of realme Philippines on LazMall and Shopee. In celebration of the new device’s launch, customers can enjoy a Php1,000 discount during the flash sale of the two e-commerce giants on October 22. 

 

As one of the smartphone brands with the most channels, realme Philippines will also be making the realme 7i available in all offline stores and kiosks nationwide starting October 24. Purchasers of the latest realme 7 series device on October 24 and 25 will get a free realme Band worth Php1,390. 

 

realme Philippines has forged strong partnerships with key industry players over the years to make its products much more attainable and available. realme customers may purchase the realme 7i at 0% interest on a six-month plan from Home Credit. Holders of major cards may also avail of the device at 0% interest on a six-month plan. 

 

For those interested in 64MP photography offered by the realme 7 series, watch out for more discounts for the entire lineup at successive flash sale events on LazMall and Shopee starting October 23. 

 

Fans are encouraged to follow the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of realme Philippines for the latest updates on the top 2 smartphone brand in the country and all its products. 

Christelle Abello is the new Ginebra San Miguel 2021 Calendar Girl

Before the GSM Calendar Girl 2021 grand reveal, everyone's guessing it would be someone from showbiz or the reigning beauty queen. Ginebra San Miguel proved us wrong by getting a fresh face in the personality of Ms. Christine Abello. 

Ginebra San Miguel introduces a fresh face as its Calendar Girl for 2021. Newcomer Christelle Abello was launched as Ginebra San Miguel 2021 Calendar Girl in a virtual media event held recently. The 26-year old model based in California, USA takes the reins from Kapuso actress Sanya Lopez. 

 

The 2021 edition of the Ginebra San Miguel calendar is very timely as it captures today’s “new normal” at home in six (6) different layouts. With the theme “Ganado sa Bahay,” the calendars feature Christelle being “ganado,” motivated and productive even amid the COVID-19 pandemic – working from home, honing her creativity and discovering new skills, and taking care of her body and well-being. 

 

“More than just a pretty face, our Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl for 2021 definitely personifies our latest campaign ‘One Ginebra Nation.’ We were not only charmed by her intelligence, but also by her optimism, her courage, her never-say-die spirit, her heart for others, and love for her kababayan. We feel that she best represents the brand and we are very happy to welcome Christelle to our Ginebra San Miguel family,” relates Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) Sales and Marketing manager Allan Mercado. 

As in the past, the Ginebra San Miguel calendar is considered as a stepping stone for up-and-coming artists and personalities. 

 

For Christelle, being chosen as the next Ginebra San Miguel calendar girl is an opportunity of a lifetime. “I’m so thrilled. I’m so proud and honored to represent Ginebra San Miguel. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m so grateful to be a part of such an iconic and historical brand,” she says.  

 

To prepare for her Ginebra San Miguel calendar girl shoot, Christelle made sure that she is both physically and mentally ready. “I already do a lot of weights and cardio workouts. I’ve become accustomed to that lifestyle not because I want to look good physically but also because I want to feel good mentally. And I think that’s really important especially at this time,” relates Christelle, who at the start of the pandemic put up a fundraising effort called “Kapit-bisig Tayo” to assist healthcare workers. 

REVISITING HER ROOTS

Christelle is born to Filipino parents. Her father is from Kalibo, Aklan while her mother is from Silang, Cavite. She graduated with a degree in Communication from California State University San Marcos. 

 

While she spent most of her life in the US, Christelle has always been in touch with her Filipino roots. “My mom heavily enforced Filipino culture and values at home. She wanted my sister and I to learn Tagalog, and what better way to learn it than through watching teleseryes and movies. So, I grew up watching KathNiel’s ‘Got to Believe,’ and ‘A Very Special Love’,” shares Christelle, who dreams of starring in her own teleserye or movie. 

 

Christelle admits that the never-say-die story of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach also inspired her to pursue her other dream – to become a beauty queen. “The world of pageantry fascinated me so much because I witnessed phenomenal women and beautiful and confident women like Pia Wurtzbach who made a mark in this world. And they impelled me to say that I can do this too.” 

 

“Back in the day, my dad would tell me stories about [Robert] Jaworski and that even if the team was falling behind in a PBA game, people would still cheer them on and were confident that they will come back strong and win the game because of their never-say-die attitude. I think Barangay Ginebra resonates with Filipinos so well with who we are as people, resilient despite the adversities that come our way,” shares Christelle. 

 

THE GINEBRA CALENDAR TRADITION

The Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl is a significant part of the brand’s 187-year history. Inspired by the classic US TV series “Charlie’s Angels,” the Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl promotion was started in 1988 and since then, the special merchandise has become a sought-after item among consumers and fans year after year.

 

Through the years, Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl had popular beauty queens, models, and actresses grace its calendars including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach (2019), Arci Munoz (2018), Kim Domingo (2017), and Marian Rivera (2009 and 2014). 

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

 

Araneta City celebrates Halloween!

Get ready, because the ‘bots are spreading tricks and treats as Araneta City celebrates Halloween!

 

Robots are invading Araneta City and they have quite a few surprises for everyone, wherever they are! This year, Araneta City is bringing the celebration not only within the City of Firsts but also virtually to make sure that everybody can join in on the fun!

 

It started last October 18 (Sunday) with Halloween Alert: Search for the Hidden Robots in the City which lasted until October 20 (Tuesday). In this activity, participants had the chance to search for the robots hidden at the Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza activity areas. By taking a photo with the robot they found at one of the backdrops Araneta City has prepared and then posting it on Facebook with the hashtag #RobotsInvadeTheCity, they’ll have a chance to win some fun gifts and exclusive goodies!

 

For the more artistic kiddos and kids-at-heart, Araneta City is having the Arts and Craft: Halloween Greeting sand art online workshop on October 21 (Wednesday). Participants can create their own sand art, take a photo of it, post it on Facebook until October 28 (Wednesday) with the hashtag #RobotsInvadeTheCity, and tag Araneta City for a chance to win a special surprise!

 

Araneta City will also have a Virtual Halloween Party on October 25 (Sunday). Customers with a single receipt purchase worth ₱500 from any Araneta City establishment can redeem a virtual party pass at the Gateway Mall or Ali Mall concierge and claim one loot bag. Attendees can look forward to an afternoon of magic tricks and a futuristic performance from ADDLIB. And to cap it all off, Araneta City is holding a virtual costume contest, with one winner taking home ₱5,000. So get your spookiest look ready!

 

For more information about the Virtual Halloween Party, click this link: www.shorturl.at/hrEX3. And to keep updated about the latest news from Araneta City and other promos, like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Kris Aquino is the new face of Shopee for the 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, introduces the Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino, as its new brand ambassador for the Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Together with Kris Aquino, Shopee celebrates the festive season with weeks full of exciting in-app games, a star-studded TV special, and tons of amazing deals and promos this Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. 

 

Martin Yu, Associate Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Christmas is the biggest holiday in the Philippines, and we are excited to kickstart the celebrations with Kris Aquino as our new brand ambassador. Having Kris Aquino join our Shopee family demonstrates our continuous efforts to reach our long-term vision of making e-commerce for everyone. We want to connect with our Filipino users on a deeper level and help them enjoy the benefits of e-commerce this Christmas season. We will continue to surprise and delight shoppers at the Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale and invite everyone to join in the fun with us.” 

 

As the new brand ambassador, Kris Aquino will participate in a range of initiatives for the Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale. Shoppers can look forward to the following: 

 

●      Kris Aquino’s highly anticipated on-screen appearances on TV and Shopee Live 

●      Engaging and entertaining Kris Aquino Tiktok videos on Shopee official account

●      Mini-games on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where users can get the chance to win Shopee vouchers. 

●      Shopee themed Kris Aquino stickers on Instagram.

Shopee Bayanihan: Pamaskong Pambata

Additionally, Kris Aquino teams up with Shopee as the face of Shopee Bayanihan: Pamaskong Pambata. Together, they will help raise funds to support the Filipino youth’s health, education, and welfare through a digital charity sale, special live streams with leading brands, and user donations through the Shopee app. Partner organizations include PGH Medical Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, FundLife, World Vision Philippines, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Mano Amiga, Young Focus Philippines, Save the Children, Project Pearls, Project SMILE, and Kythe Foundation.

 

Key highlights of the Shopee 11.11 - 12.12 Big Christmas Sale

From October 21 to December 12, shoppers can look forward to exciting games, amazing deals, and big discounts from leading brands. 

 

●      Unbeatable Christmas deals on Shopee: Users can enjoy free shipping with ₱0 minimum spend, daily 20% coins cashback on best treats like a Xiaomi 32-inch LED TV, a Dyson Cyclone Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, and Christmas baubles such as decorative ornaments and village nativity sets.  

●      ₱1 Deals: Consumers can expect ₱1 deals on selected items from various categories such as beauty, fashion, mobile, and stationery products.

●      Exclusive deals from leading brands: Users can anticipate up to 70% off on 11.11’s leading brands such as Pampers, Nestle, Vivo, Globe, Havaianas, Unilever Beauty, Abbott, Garnier, realme, and Enfagrow. 

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SM Cinema took home three bronzes and one gold—in the prestigious 2020 Stevie Awards

SM Cinema, the Philippines’ leader in movie entertainment, recently took home a slew of top honors—three bronzes and one gold—in the prestigious 2020 Stevie Awards. As the world’s premier business awards, The Stevie Award judges include many of the world's most respected executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and business educators. 

 

These awards recognize SM Cinema’s aim towards making moviegoing more inclusive, enticing and exciting, and most of all, help foster family ties in a big way.

 

In the Award for Innovation in Community Relations and Public Service Communications category, SM Cinema’s entries — Into the Moors: A special exhibit for children with special needs, and SM Cinema’s “Kids Watch for Free”: Championing Filipino families through movie watching, bagged bronze awards each. 

 

Meanwhile, in the Award for Innovation in Entertainment Events category, SM Cinema’s entry —SM Cinema Into the Movieverse: Bringing the cinema experience into the real world, also won a bronze.

 

For Into the Moors: A special exhibit for children with special needs, SM invited the children of Deaf and Blind Foundation Philippines, an institution that caters to the educational and physical welfare of PWD kids, where they were treated to a multi-sensory exhibition, allowing them to experience the tale of Maleficent through a specially-made Braille system. Thus, SM Cinema becomes known as a place for all as everyone gets to experience and enjoy going to the movies. 

 

For “Kids Watch for Free”: Championing Filipino families through movie watching, SM featured a kid-friendly title every month, wherein children under the age of twelve can watch the movie free of admission, given that they are accompanied by a paying adult. This helped strengthen family relationships—fun bonding moments—through movie watching!

 

For SM Cinema Into the Movieverse: Bringing the cinema experience into the real world, SM Cinema embarked on a “Reel-to-Real” campaign which showcased various movie-themed special events inside some of the biggest SM malls in the country, bringing movies to life and bring cinemagoers to a movieverse beyond the theater walls.

Meanwhile, in the Award for Innovation in Entertainment Events category, SM Cinema’s entry, Sine Sindak: A winning Halloween movie event, won a gold award.

Here, eight (8) spine-tingling and scream inducing horror film features were screened, each one handpicked by the booking and marketing teams of SM Cinema, with fun side activations and events. These included a special press screening with games and cosplayers in creepy costumes that spurred interest in movie watching while making the trip extra thrilling!

What makes these efforts innovative and unique is how these were able to engage mallgoers with exciting activations, Instagram-worthy and larger-than-life installations and interactive displays, as well as through fan fests and meet-and-greets. Similarly, these activities also impacted the local entertainment industry by attractive movie and TV celebrities and influencers, garnering conversations and engagements online and on social media. 

“We’re extremely honored and thrilled to take home these top honors from the 2020 Stevie Awards,” said Ruby Ann Reyes, SM Cinema’s Vice-President for Marketing. “At SM Cinema, our aim has always been to elevate the local movie going experience by mounting various innovative and themed promotional events that not only help create awareness and anticipation for new films, but also add an additional fun and exciting dimension that viewers can look forward to, thus sustaining patronage among moviegoers.”