Hongkong Disneyland celebrates 15th anniversary with "A Disney Christmas"

A historic new era for Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has begun with the celebration of the 15^th anniversary launch of the Castle of Magical Dreams and “A Disney Christmas.”.

Highly anticipated 15^th Anniversary Celebration & Castle of Magical Dreams 

When passing through the magical gates of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, guests were immediately drawn to the beautiful 15^th anniversary decoration and the melody of the official 15^th anniversary song, “Love the Memory.” The energetic beat filled the entire Castle Forecourt, which served as the stage for a special celebration moment hosted by Stephanie Young, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, who announced the official launch of the 15^th anniversary celebration and the unveiling of the Castle of Magical Dreams.

“Looking at how beautiful this new castle is, there is no better way to celebrate this proud milestone. Over the past 15 years, we have helped create countless memories, granted numerous wishes and shared smiles together with our Guests and Cast Members,” Young said.  

A dream fulfilled with the Castle of Magic Dreams

Inspired by those that dare to dream and believe, the Castle of Magical Dreams, the re-imagined centrepiece of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, shines as a beacon of courage, hope and possibility. Taking inspiration from 13 stories of Disney princesses and queens, the architectural design embraces their unique characteristics through the interpretation of color, icons, symbols, patterns and cultural features. 

Brand-new experiences await guests in the castle. From meeting their favorite princesses and queens at “The Royal Reception Hall,” with its regally appointed interiors that feature intricately carved details, tapestries, and small bronze statues depicting the beloved heroines who inspired the castle’s design, to visiting “Enchanted Treasures,”the first-ever Castle of Magical Dreams Chow Tai Fook Jewelry store where artisans from the popular jeweler Chow Tai Fook have been appointed as Royal Jeweler for all of the kingdom’s magnificent keepsakes and treasures. 

Never in Disney history has an existing castle undergone a transformation as grand as this, and guests who have witnessed the change from a distance can now step into the iconic architecture and learn more about the magic behind-the-scenes. 

Guests can explore the story behind this new castle by visiting the “Building a Dream: The Magic Behind a Disney Castle” exhibition. Featuring multimedia exhibits where guests can witness how the castle was transformed by Walt Disney Imagineering in partnership with Walt Disney Animation Studios, the remarkable exhibition includes an area dedicated to the castle’s live entertainment, which will give guests a glimpse of the brand-new daytime and night-time castle shows coming in the future. 

Also available is the first-of-its-kind “Glimpse into the Magic” tour, which offers guests a new perspective of appreciating the shimmering castle. Guided by an audio narration from actress Karena Lam, guests will visit eight different checkpoints using their own mobile phones and earphones, where they will learn all about ins and outs of the castle’s design, and how it has been infused with recognizable icons and symbols distinctly associated with the princesses’ and queens’ stories, their personalities and the worlds from where they come. 

 Delightful “Magical 15^th Party Beats!”  

Mickey Mouse has gathered a group of his friends to present guests with a special gift – the “Mickey and Friends 15^thAnniversary Celebration!” Mickey and several of his friends in their colourful, new 15^th anniversary outfits, along with the Disney Princesses, will board the Main Street Express to welcome guests. The Disney friends will appear around the park to provide selfie photo opportunities. To commemorate this special moment, guests visiting the park will receive a 15^th anniversary themed ticket and a 15^th anniversary themed button (while supplies last). They can also learn how to draw the Castle of Magical Dreams at the Animation Academy. 

 

Enjoy more fun in the double celebration 

Leading the festive line-up is the return of the ever-popular “Mickey and Friends Christmastime Ball,” which for the first time ever will be presented in front of the Castle of Magical Dreams! 

Fans of Duffy & Friends are excited to welcome the adorable ‘Olu Mel who will be at the park celebrating the Happy Season for all. The kind-hearted turtle, who Duffy first befriended while sailing through the Hawaiian Islands, will be strumming up his ukulele as he conjures up a series of happy tunes for the enjoyment of all. Duffy and Friends will make appearances dressed in their seasonal outfits.     

In this season of giving, Santa Goofy and Santa Stitch are also eager to snap selfies with guests at Mickey’s Philharmagic and at the Comet Cafe. Guests can purchase a set of two Holiday Wishes Charity Postcards before mailing them at the Holiday Wishes Mailbox at City Hall, with all proceeds benefiting Operation Santa Claus. 

Take home with anniversary collectibles

The perfect gift is just around the corner as guests can bring home with them three special 15^th anniversary collections made up of more than 200 items – Grand Celebrations, Crystal Dreams, and the Black & Gold Series. A number of co-branded exclusive merchandise items will also be available to celebrate this special occasion, including drinkware and tote bags by Starbucks, a silver and gold charm by Pandora, and a limited-edition watch by Citizen. 

Your taste buds’ wishes will come true!

Selected restaurants will feature themed dining experiences with special 15^th anniversary offerings, themed décor and souvenirs. Highlights include 15^th anniversary-themed Chip and Dale sip sip and Duffy and ShellieMay sip sip, a Mickey and Minnie popcorn bucket and festive balloons, a Castle of Magical Dreams ice-cream bar, and Mickey bubble egg puff. Guests can also enjoy a 15^th anniversary seasonal flavour soft serve at Midtown Delights and 15^th anniversary award-winning dishes at hotel dining venues. 

Staycation with 15^th Anniversary Celebration 

To truly dive into the magical journey, guests are invited for a magical staycation at one of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s hotels filled with 15^th anniversary touches! Those who book to stay in the Deluxe Room type or above can look forward to receiving limited-edition amenity boxes for the ultimate pampering experience. There will even be themed giveaways that include magnet cards and post cards for Guests who join paid DIY classes of making leather card holders and eco-bags, along with daily 15^th anniversary and Christmas-themed arts and crafts activities. 

 

 

Black Friday Hotel Flash Sale with 15^th Anniversary Celebration 

To truly dive into the magical journey, guests are invited for a magical staycation at one of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s hotels filled with 15^th anniversary touches! Those who book to stay in the Deluxe Room type or above can look forward to receiving limited-edition amenity boxes, and 15^th anniversary themed slippers for the ultimate pampering experience. There will even be themed giveaways that include magnet cards and post cards for guests who join paid DIY classes of making leather card holders and eco-bags, along with daily 15^th Anniversary- and- Christmas-themed arts and crafts activities. 

 

Guest can enjoy a limited time Black Friday hotel flash sale with exceptional flexibility from now to December 4, 2020. Guests can save as low as 45% off on the Standard Rooms and Sea View Rooms for staying two-nights or above at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel or Disney Explorers Lodge, travel window from January 3 to September 29, 2021. Bookings can be made on HKDL’s official website, Booking.com, Expedia and Hotels.com . Enjoy a hassle-free booking experience, reservations can be amended or cancelled at least 7 days prior to the check-in date. 

For 15 years, Hong Kong Disneyland has been a place where countless dreams have come true, and even more dreams will be fulfilled for many years to come. “Throughout our 15^th anniversary celebration, there will be a number of offerings, magical surprises and unique additions across the resort. What’s more, there are two new shows launching in the near future that will make the experience even more magical.  Experience more magic, more joy and more wonders of every kind with us,” added Young.

The new realme 7i 4GB+128GB is now available nationwide as part of the #realmeWithYou Christmas specials

Looking for a smartphone to give your loved ones this christmas? Check out realme 7i, it has a quad camera, a large display with a 90Hz refresh rate, perfect for movie binge-watching and gaming!

It truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas as realme  Philippines broadens its long list of holiday surprises for its customers. In a bid to have more Filipinos Capture Every Style this Christmas, the Philippines’ top smartphone brand is launching the more affordable realme 7i variant of 4GB RAM + 128GB storage which retails for just PHP 9,990. Customers may avail of the new realme 7i variant in all authorized realme stores and kiosks nationwide with an additional phone stand freebie as a bonus treat. 

 

The realme 7i, which was launched in the country on October 22, is designed to be the companion of every Filipino trendsetter and go-getter. The beloved lower midranger sports a new stylish mirror design inspired by nature, a quad-camera set-up headlined by a 64MP sensor, a large display with a 90Hz refresh rate, and a large-capacity battery of 5,000mAh with 18W Fast Charge technology.

The launch of the new realme 7i variant is just one of the many highlights of the #realmeWithYou Christmas specials, which was announced earlier this week. The brand’s Christmas promos include exciting freebies for every purchase of the realme 7, 7 Pro, 7i, 6, 6 Pro, and X3 SuperZoom in any authorized realme retail store nationwide. realme Philippines is also raffling off three Kawasaki Rouser Ns125s, two Yamaha Mio 125is, and one 2020 Yamaha TFX-150. 

 

“As we celebrate our second Christmas in the Philippines, we made sure more Filipinos get to avail a competitive smartphone with which they can capture their holiday cheer. The realme 7i is one of our leading devices in the lower midrange segment. We’re very happy to offer more options to Filipinos with the launch of this new variant. We hope to share real smiles with you in every unwrapping of a realme 7i,” shares Austine Huang, vice president for Marketing of realme Philippines. 

 

Full details of the promos and other updates are available on realme Philippines’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

 

TikTok has pledged to donate US$300,000 (approximately Php15M) to support typhoon relief and rehabilitation efforts

Over the course of two weeks, two devastating back to back typhoons hit the Philippines. On November 1st, Super Typhoon Rolly (Goni) the strongest typhoon ever recorded in recent history struck the southern region of the Philippines. An estimated two million Filipinos have been affected, many of whom lost their homes and livelihoods. Ten days later, Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) swept through many of the same provinces previously devastated by Typhoon Rolly, including Metro Manila and parts of Central Luzon leaving widespread flooding and power outages. 

 

Many areas are still struggling to recover from the aftermath of these calamities. Homes and livelihood across various provinces were lost to floods, strong winds and rain. LGUs and other organizations continue to mobilize and provide assistance to all who were affected by these typhoons, but many are still in desperate need of help. 

 

In line with its mission to inspire creativity and bring joy, TikTok has pledged to donate US$300,000 (approximately Php15M) to support typhoon relief and rehabilitation efforts. US$150,000 has been allocated to the Philippine Red Cross for their onground mobilization efforts providing hot meals and other urgent necessities in affected communities. 

 

“The Philippine Red Cross is always committed to reaching out to the helpless and to the most vulnerable. TikTok’s donation will surely go a long way in further strengthening PRC’s humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering of those who were impacted by the recent calamities. You can be sure the Red Cross will continue to be there for the people affected,” said Senator Richard Gordon, Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross. 

On Saturday, November 28 at 7:00pm, TikTok will also host the #TikTokTogetherPH virtual live fundraising concert featuring The Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Kyline Alcantara, Rico Blanco, and Ella Cruz among other guest artists and local creators, joining one another on the app to help Filipinos in need. Proceeds from the virtual event will be turned over to partner organizations, with TikTok supplementing funds raised up to US$150,000. 

 

“We stand with all Filipinos during their time of need and we want to do what we can to help all those affected get back on their feet. TikTok has been the go-to platform for happy and inspiring moments, now we are extending this mission even beyond the app,” TikTok said.  

 

As it spreads joy and inspiration to millions of people on the platform each day, TikTok is also committed to doing their part in helping the broader community, through these efforts and through organizations like the Philippine Red Cross.

 

TikTok is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

 

OPPO, Save the Children Philippines Provides Support to Public School Students for Online Distance Learning

OPPO, in partnership with international children’s organization Save the Children Philippines, has recently completed the turnover of 100 brand new sets of OPPO A12e smartphones, Rock Space Torch Bluetooth Earphones, and special online learning kits to select students from public schools in Navotas City, namely Tanza Elementary School, Tanza National High School, Bagumbayan Elementary School, and Navotas National High School. 

 

Filipinos on Online Distance Learning

Securing better access to online distance learning is challenging, especially for those who have lesser means to provide for themselves. This is a common concern among the parents and students of Teacher Claudine of Tanza Elementary School, a Special Education (SpEd) teacher with six years of experience. 

 

“Nagka-virtual orientation kami ngayon kung paano mangyayari ang modular learning…You really have to do everything and explore all means. Hindi ito normal na may problema lang, may pandemya kasi,” Teacher Claudine shared. “Sa SpEd [students] kasi they need immediate feedback. Kailangan din nila ng individualized na approach. Pero ang parents hindi sila trained to do that. Kung hindi ganoon ka-strong ang foundation and follow-up sa bahay, magiging malaki ang regression.” she added.

 

Teacher Claudine’s students were some of the selected recipients of the OPPO A12e smartphones and Rock Space Torch Bluetooth Earphones for online distance learning which are useful tools in helping the SpEd students to get the attention and support needed while doing online classes.

 

Another true experience was shared by Nanay Rosalinda and her daughter Filchriz, who has been diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay. Filchriz is one of the recipients of the OPPO A12e and online learning kit including pencils, pens, crayons for her art classes. “Hindi man niya masabi na miss niya ang school, minsan kapag pinalabas siya dumidiretso [sa daan] papunta sa school,” said Nanay Rosalinda. At home, she mentioned that they do not have a table for Filchriz to study while doing the online classes but the family is doing their best to provide what they could for her to continue classes despite the pandemic situation. 

 

Aside from the smartphone and Bluetooth earphone donations, OPPO and Save the Children also set up a fundraising initiative through the Back-To-School campaign, which started last August. The effort resulted in funds to purchase more online learning kits for other students in need. Each learning kit includes art materials and basic safety and sanitation kits, like alcohol and face masks, for the kids. 

 

“With the joint efforts of OPPO, Save the Children Philippines, and the kind-hearted Filipinos who have participated in this fundraising initiative, we were able to extend help to students most in need of support. We are optimistic that together we can do more for everyone if we continue to band together and lend a helping hand to each other as we overcome these trying times,” OPPO Philippines Marketing Director Raymond Xia. 

 

To learn more about the latest news and programs of OPPO, visit the official website at www.oppo.com/ph or via official Facebook page at OPPO Philippines. 

 

Watch Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Shawn Mendez and more at GigaFest.Smart on Dec.11!

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. is pulling out all the stops to give Filipinos a giga-sized Christmas celebration as it brings the highly anticipated 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball to subscribers through an exclusive livestream on the GigaFest.Smart portal on December 11, Friday, at 10 a.m. (Philippine Time). 

 

Taking the stage at the 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball are some of today’s chart-topping and award-winning artists including Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Smith, and Shawn Mendes, who will perform their hits as well as never-before-heard covers of iconic holiday songs. 

 

This year’s iHeartRadio Jingle Ball will also be more intimate and personal as artists will sing from their own homes and share some of their holiday traditions in between performances – a departure from the ball’s previous big concert venues such as the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. 

 

Watch live via GigaFest.Smart  

 

Wherever you are, you can watch the 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball live on your Smart-powered smartphone. For seamless streaming, make sure you are on mobile data and not connected to WiFi before going to GigaFest.Smart on your browser. 

 

If you are a Smart Prepaid customer, you can stream the concert plus all your other favorite videos by registering to GIGA Video 99, which gives you 2 GB data plus 1 GB Video Every Day, valid for 7 days. To register, just dial *123# on your mobile or choose GIGA Video on the GigaLife App. 

 

On the other hand, if you are a Smart Postpaid customer, you can simply watch the concert with your generous data allocation, which you can simply manage and monitor on the GigaLife App. 

 

The 2020 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball exclusive livestream on GigaFest.Smart is just one of the many awesome treats Smart has in store for new and loyal subscribers this Christmas season. 

 

Philippines' fastest mobile data network 

 

Smart enables subscribers to stream HD content seamlessly powered by Smart LTE, the country’s fastest mobile data network as certified by third-party mobile internet analytics firms, such as Opensignal and Ookla. 

 

In its November 2020 Mobile Network Experience Report for the Philippines1, Opensignal noted that Smart remained ahead of the competition in terms of Video Experience, Upload and Download Speed Experience, 4G Availability, and 4G Coverage Experience.

 

On the other hand, Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, recently named Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network in the first half of 2020 after it achieved a Speed Score™ of 18.33, with average speeds of 15.94 Mbps for download, and 7.57 Mbps for upload, based on 2,810,963 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest®. 

 

For more details on Smart’s latest products and offers, follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook (www.fb.com/SmartCommunications), Twitter, and Instagram (@LiveSmart). 

 

AI a vehicle for customers to achieve aspirations – UnionBank Senior Advisor for Data and AI

Data science and artificial intelligence (or “DSAI”) are two “tandem”-technologies that are now taking over many industries across the globe. Artificial intelligence has brought about many exciting prospects that have ushered more personalized, “tailor-fit” digital experiences for many of us. This has made many of the things we do in our lives simpler, more instantaneous and, thus, more convenient. 

As Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) is now in the next phase of its digital transformation journey, the country’s leading digital bank has continued to invest in talent, infrastructure, and other resources needed to innovate and co-create using data science and AI, which is led by global data science expert Dr. David Hardoon Ph. D., as the Bank's Senior Advisor for Data and Artificial Intelligence.

On the sixth installment of UnionBank’s exclusive “eTalk Tales” with Media, Dr. Hardoon discussed how UnionBank is translating data science and artificial intelligence insights into a very individualized way of banking, making sure that everyone is statistically significant and provided the ‘VIP’ treatment with a wide range of personalized services and solutions. 

“DSAI is a key element within UnionBank’s digitize or perish journey. It is the differentiator between just “Digitize to survive” versus “Digitize to flourish,” Hardoon said.

Hardoon emphasized that AI is a must-have to enable a scalable customer-centric finance of tomorrow, today. The goal is to make finance relevant, specific, and contextual to each individual consumer.  His use of AI is not artificial intelligence but ‘augmented intelligence’.  Reality is that humans are phenomenal in creativity that machines do not have. Machines may be able to replicate but it cannot originate. This, according to Hardoon, is where augmentation comes in. Data science uses the insights from machines to operationalize and contextualize. “It’s not a question of ‘can we do it’ but ‘should we do it’.”

“AI is the engine of the digital renaissance.  It is a vehicle to achieve an aspiration. It is important to anchor AI on what truly matters—people, whether customers or employees. AI is truly about being human centric first. The purpose is us, primarily as customers, and how do we leverage on the insight and knowledge that can be derived from AI to help shape financial services around us.”

Digital transformation is heralded as the game changer for the banking sector in today's reality and for tomorrow's necessity. The transformation is rooted on the aspiration of inclusive and resilient financial services, and is about achieving a reality where ones’ moments of life are not defined around the financial products available, but where financial services and products are created to support the milestones in life. 

 

“The Bank has been introducing and enhancing countless digital touchpoints for customer ease and fluidity of engagement. These touchpoints mean exactly that, that customers engage with the Bank on a more regular basis. It is our responsibility to...imagine. Imagine the ability to provide bridging, or intra-day loans without a customer's need to submit hefty financial historical statements,” Hardoon said.

 

UnionBank uses AI to upgrade its existing strategy and accelerate further innovation, an example of which is its use as an additional layer of defense against financial crimes. AI enables the Bank to detect more instances while making sure that the existing defense and process will not be disrupted to ensure operation efficiency.  AI is also being leveraged by the Bank to predict future volume of inbound calls that can reduce some of the volatility in call management.  Through AI, the cash management solutions team are provided with data-driven relevant recommendations and proposals for customers.

 

Data Science and AI (DSAI) enables capabilities in understanding customers' needs through their various engagements with the bank and providers and the ability to go beyond a templatized approach to ascertain relevance, suitability, and affordability.  This makes UnionBank, Philippine banking’s best in the data science and AI field.

Consistent with its commitment to make banking simpler and more inclusive via best-in-class digital and mobile capabilities, UnionBank President and CEO Edwin Bautista believes that leveraging Data and AI is a key driver to the next-level of its digital transformation as the Bank continues to put the customer—both individuals and corporates, at the heart of its business.

Your favorite Jollibee caramel sundae just got even better as caramel popcorn tops the delicious treat

The timeless snackable staple that made its way through Filipino households, at any time of day. This trusted and true go-to snack that became a hit because of its sweet and savory taste and addictive crunchiness. You’d have to be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love caramel popcorn.

 

One other delicious treat that’s an all-time hit is the Jollibee Salted Caramel Choco Sundae. This dessert has proven itself while it was available in the market, going to show that Filipinos absolutely love the flavor of caramel.

 

What if you could combine the two snacks to create the ultimate caramel treat?

 

That’s what Jollibee does with its brand-new Caramel Popcorn Sundae Twirl, which takes the goodness of everyone’s favorite caramel sundae, topping it with the familiar deliciousness and feel of caramel popcorn.

 

The Caramel Popcorn Sundae is made up of our favorite ingredients that turn into such a knockout combination. You’ve got your thick and creamy vanilla sundae base, drizzled with sweet and luscious caramel syrup, and topped with crunchy and sweet caramel popcorn for that delicious crunch. Who wouldn’t crave for a dessert like this?

 

“We at Jollibee are always looking to give Filipinos flavors they’ll never forget,” said Mari Aldecoa, Jollibee Marketing Director. He adds, “We feel we’ve found a great way to do that with the Jollibee Caramel Popcorn Sundae Twirl, that puts an exciting yet familiar twist on a treat they’ve always loved. It’s the perfect way to end your Jollibee Meal.”

 

Satisfy your sweet tooth now with the Jollibee Caramel Popcorn Sundae Twirl, which is now available for safe delivery via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, foodpanda, and LalaFood! It’s also available for drive-thru and take-out.

 

For more info and updates on Jollibee products, like Jollibee Philippines on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Studios on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter and Instagram.

 

IKEA Pasay City will be the largest IKEA store in the world!

OMG! I cant wait for IKEA to open here. IKEA is the next best thing that will happen in the PH! I cant just imagine the things that I would buy for home!! 

 The world’s largest home furnishing retailer is looking to hire another 496 co-workers for its first Philippine store in Pasay City. IKEA Pasay City will be the largest IKEA store in the world, with a Call Centre operation and a supersized warehouse to support ecommerce fulfilment. The online store will open before the store in Q2 2021.  

 

“The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Creating meaningful, stable jobs and great workplaces is just one way that we fulfil this vision – more important than ever during these challenging times,” said  

The company is looking to fill a wide range of vacancies—including Sales Associates, Recovery Associates, Food Assistants, Customer Service Associates and more. There are also many open posts for part-timers.

 

Georg Platzer, Market Development Manager and Store Manager of IKEA Philippines, noted that the IKEA culture and values makes it different from other retailers. At IKEA, co-workers at all levels are encouraged to lead, ask questions, share ideas and drive the business. There are endless possibilities to grow and develop as co-workers take charge of their own learning journey and move across functions.  Part-timers are treated like full-time members of the family, with all the same benefits as full-timers on a prorated basis – including health insurance, annual leave, subsidised meals and IKEA discounts. 

 

When asked what IKEA is looking for, Platzer was quick to answer: “The right attitude.” He added, “At IKEA, it’s all about putting we before me, empowering people to make decisions, and challenging the status quo.”

 

Bringing Filipinos home

The newcomers will join a team of 73 people already working for IKEA in its Makati office as well as a project office at the Pasay construction site.  As part of its recruitment drive, IKEA will be bringing home 20 OFWs from IKEA stores abroad — primarily from the Middle East.

 

“Family is very important to us, and we’re glad that we’re able to reunite some of our Filipino co-workers with their families in the Philippines,” said Mr. Platzer. 

 

Throughout the pandemic, IKEA’s Southeast Asia and Mexico has retained all its co-workers, despite closures of up to 73 days. The company will continue filling local positions into June 2021. 

 

For more information about IKEA recruitment and how to apply, visit the IKEA Philippines website, WWW.IKEA.PH

 

Devant kicked off this year’s major World TV Day celebration in the Philippines

Devant kicked off this year’s major World TV Day celebration in the Philippines with an exclusive webinar on November 19, 2020. At the online session, guests learned about the past, present, and future of TV, and how it has become a true essential for families and homes around the country. 

 

Hosted by Magic 89.9’s DJ Suzy, the online event was well-attended by media representatives, bloggers, and influencers, together with Devant dealers, representatives and special guests. The program was opened with a message from Devant’s Senior Marketing Manager, Lara Marie Lua.

 

 

Three resource speakers were featured in the webinar - Kristian R. Castro, Product and Sales Trainer from Devant, Dr. Athena Charanne Presto, a Sociology instructor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, and finally, DJ Suzy. 

 

 

In his talk about the History and Tech Trends of Home TV Viewing, Mr. Castro presented a visual evolution of the TV, along with a brief history of World TV Day, and why it is celebrated worldwide.

 

The next speaker, Dr. Presto, talked about the TV as a Home Essential in the New Normal, as well as how the pandemic has affected the TV viewing behavior of Filipino families, and its impact on individual households and on society.

 

Finally, DJ Suzy shared her story about Bonding Moments at Home with Devant. After a brief question and answer segment with the media, two lucky raffle winners were drawn, with each one getting a Devant TV as a prize.

 

Through this meaningful celebration of World TV Day in the Philippines, Devant shows its support for this global observance, and gives recognition to the TV as an ambassador for the entertainment industry. Television has truly transformed modern living, connecting people to the world, and serving as a powerful medium for sharing information and knowledge, as well as spreading joy to millions around the globe. 

 

 

Don’t miss the exclusive World TV Day offers from Devant (https://devanttv.com/world-tv-day/), available in leading online dealer sites nationwide from November 20-22, 2020.

 

Get a free SBX-60 2.1Ch Soundbar Speaker System with Built-in Subwoofer for every purchase of a Devant 65UHD201Smart 4k TV at P35,450. You can also get a SB-50 2.0Ch Soundbar Speaker System when you buy a Devant 55UHD201 Smart 4k TV at P24,450 or a 50UHD201 Smart 4K TV at P20,450. 

 

To learn more about Devant’s latest products and updates, visit www.devanttv.com, and follow Devant on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

 

Secure your future in a time of uncertainty

As everyone adapts to the next normal brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have become more concerned with keeping ourselves safe and secure – physically, mentally, and financially. Even those with job security and a stable amount of savings are now revisiting savings and retirement plans. So how do we proceed in this time of uncertainty?

 

“As many are learning first-hand how unforeseen circumstances can disrupt our lives and livelihoods in an instant, we have found that there is an increased interest in availing of insurance protection,” said Melissa Henson, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines. “More Filipinos now realize that being insured can help them get ahead of their concerns about what tomorrow may bring, can and also help them build toward achieving their goals.” 

For those looking to get started, here are some ways life insurance can help keep your priorities in track and make every day better:

 

• Be financially protected on your own terms. Insurance companies offer affordable and customizable plans that let you choose how much and how long you want to pay, and give you options to renew. These provide you and your family protection on your own terms. For those who may not be ready for big financial commitments yet, Manulife Philippines has made its term insurance products more affordable to help more Filipinos get protected during these times. Its one-year term product now costs as low as Php 28*/day, while the five-year term REACT5 — that is bundled with Accidental Death Benefit for select amounts* — can be purchased for as low as Php 23*/day. Being financially free doesn’t need to cost you a lot after all.

 

●      Strengthen health and wellness protection. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened the eyes of many Filipinos to the importance of being financially prepared in the event of critical illness. Manulife recently released a health study that revealed how many Filipinos face barriers in embracing better financial and lifestyle habits, and financial worries have a strong impact on Filipinos’ sentiments toward health protection, especially amid the COVID-19 crisis. Having the right insurance coverage can help you weather such uncertainties, to ensure health and the safety of yourselves and your loved ones. For instance, Manulife Philippines’ HealthFlex is designed to enable Filipinos to choose the best critical illness plan with life insurance to meet their needs. Customers can choose which types of illness they would like to be covered, along with other benefits to enhance coverage. 

 

To support Filipinos living through the challenges brought by COVID-19, the company also conducts wellness webinars to help people deal with the effects of self-isolation and quarantine, by providing helpful tips for self-care and mental health.  

 

●      Provide financial security for the whole family. There are various types of life insurance plans to choose from, depending on your family’s needs and goals. They can be structured to help you achieve the goals you have for yourself or your family – whether you aim to prepare for the rising cost of higher education for your children, or save up for a comfortable retirement. Life and health insurance not only cover costs that arise from the onset of an accident or critical illness, but can also help provide for your family’s financial needs when you can no longer provide for them yourself.  Insurance plans offer peace of mind that, no matter what may come, you can rest assured that there is a secure future for you and your family.

 

●      Build funds for your dreams. It is still possible to invest in your personal goals during these times. You don’t have to choose between life insurance protection and investment. Many insurance products now offer life and health coverage with investments in a variety of funds that cater to different financial goals and risk appetites. Manulife Philippines offers an array of investment-linked life insurance products that can provide you with protection, while helping achieve your longer-term financial goals. Manulife’s fund managers also publish insights, market updates and fund reviews at assetmanagement.manulife.com.ph to guide you in making better decisions for your future. 

 

●      Make it easy and safer to transact as most still prefer to stay home.  Once you have decided which insurance product is best for you, Manulife Philippines makes it convenient for you to manage your finances with help from a financial adviser, but without face-to-face interaction. Policy holders are given access to Manulife Online, an online facility that allows you to access your policy information, check your funds’ performance, and make online payments anytime and anywhere. Filing claims for benefits is also made easier for customers through online submission at www.manulife.com.ph. Manulife is also now present on Viber so policyholders can get updated with key information about their policies and other important advisories in real-time, helping them experience everyday conversations better.  

Although uncertainties remain, we can always turn them into possibilities. With the right insurance plan, Filipinos can have more confidence to make the right decisions today, and have financial peace of mind knowing that tomorrow is covered. 

 

With so much uncertainty in the world today, having insurance protection as one of our “essentials” can help us manage our worries, embrace our aspirations, and focus on how to make our every day better. 

 

To know more about Manulife Philippines, its offerings and its initiatives during the COVID-19 crisis, visit https://www.manulife.com.ph/.

 

*Actual premiums, face amount and coverage may vary. Terms and conditions apply.