Watch out for "The Festival of Lights 2020" in the social media accounts of Ayala Land and Make It Makati starting November 24

Christmas is just around the corner. Regardless of the current conditions, it remains the most anticipated season among Filipinos. It is the time to celebrate life, relationships, and blessings through gatherings and lively events. This year, the same spirit of the holidays continues to live but a new kind of celebration awaits. In an effort to celebrate the season while ensuring safety, Ayala Land brings joy to families through the country’s first-ever interactive digital lights and sound show, a virtual execution of the annual Christmas event at Ayala Triangle Gardens. Indeed, however the world turns and whatever challenges come its way, some traditions never change.

 

“The annual lights and sound show has been a family favorite for years. It’s one of the most-awaited Christmas events that brings happiness to people,” shares Mel Ignacio, Head of Makati Estate, Ayala Land. “For this reason, Ayala Land and Make It Makati decided to continue the annual tradition by bringing the show through digital channels. We want the event to spark hope among Filipinos—hope that will help them remember that brighter days lie ahead for all of us.”

 

Witness an enchanting virtual show of dancing lights and holograms accompanied by a medley of beloved Christmas songs. The “Festival of Lights 2020, Lights and Sound Show Virtual Edition” will be available in the social media accounts of Ayala Land and Make It Makati starting November 24. This year’s virtual digital lights and sound show was conceptualized in collaboration with Globe Studios. Production was led by filmmaker and director, Quark Henares. Together with his team, he recreated the Christmas light show at Ayala Triangle Gardens and turned it into a 360-degree animated video. An exciting orchestration of laser lights, string lights, meteor lights, holograms, and helix lights dancing to Reese Lansangan’s rendition of traditional songs like Oh Holy Night and Jingle Bells are bound to uplift and put anyone into the Christmas mood.

 

“For all the people who will listen to the music and enjoy the show, I hope they are taken to a magical journey of emotions,” shares Lansangan. “No matter where they are, I want them to feel the rush, the excitement, the flurry of knowing that this special day that we wait for every single year is coming.”

 

Aside from the 360-degree video, various light show-themed Instagram filters will also be available. People are also invited to join the Finders Keepers contest that will happen every week in December. They can win a prize by simply spotting a hidden element in the virtual light show.

 

The first ever digital lights and sound show by Ayala Land ultimately aims to bridge people together through shared experiences, while apart. This joyful endeavor is made possible in collaboration with Coca Cola and Globe; along with event partners, Grab and Shopee.

PayMaya is offering Filipinos more rewards as it launches its "PayMayaguinaldo" campaign

This Christmas, PayMaya is offering Filipinos more rewards as it launches its "PayMayaguinaldo" campaign, where users have a chance to win as much as 1 million pesos in the Grand raffle draw and an opportunity to help micro entrepreneurs around the country. Users also have a chance to win up to P285,000 worth of prizes to be given away in the weekly raffle draws from today until January 10, 2021.

By going cashless, you can easily earn a raffle entry every time you #ScanToPay via PayMaya QR at any of their partner merchants, use your PayMaya-registered mobile number when you buy items online, or purchase prepaid load and other treats at the PayMaya in-app shop with a minimum of P100 purchase.

 

Every time you pay with PayMaya, you not only earn a raffle entry to win cash prizes, you also get a chance to help fellow Filipinos. With each purchase, you are also giving a PayMayaguinaldo to help micro entrepreneurs in underprivileged communities as PayMaya will also be donating a P1 million Grand Aguinaldo to Gawad Kalinga to help establish more resilient communities via micro-entrepreneurship around the country.  

 

“Even though our Christmas celebrations won't be the same as they have been before, there are a lot of creative ways where families can keep the holiday spirit alive. Through our 'PayMayaguinaldo' campaign, we hope to inspire hope and generosity among Filipinos as we offer them more reasons to give to their friends and families, share their blessings to their officemates, and even give back to underprivileged communities whenever they pay using their PayMaya accounts," said Mark Dee, Head of Growth and Marketing at PayMaya.

 

A Christmas store in your hands

 

On top of the exciting prizes from the PayMayaguinaldo raffle promo, you can also enjoy instant discounts and vouchers from top brands and merchants when you visit the PayMayaguinaldo Christmas store in the PayMaya app.

 

Shoppers can get exclusive deals offered by brands such as Unilever, Goldilocks, Rustan's, Boozy, Sariwon Korean Barbecue, Soban K-Town Grill, Boteyju, Wingzone, Pepi Cubano, Papermoon, FreshMart, Memo Xpress, Vamos, and Pet Warehouse, among others which they can enjoy when you pay using their PayMaya account at these merchants.

 

Check the PayMayaguinaldo Christmas store to know which new brands are offering discounts so that you can get the best value for your money when you do your shopping with PayMaya!

 

PayMaya is the #BetterQR for your holiday shopping

 

And because shopping for gifts in malls has become a time-honored tradition among many Filipinos, PayMaya is also offering a safer, more convenient, and even more rewarding shopping experience with the #BetterQR this holiday season!

 

Get to enjoy the following perks in various malls around the country when you #ScanToPay with PayMaya QR:

 

• THE SM STORE: Take home one of the 100 motorcycles being given away when you #ScanToPay at least P1,500 at The SM Store until January 15, 2021.
• MEGAWORLD LIFESTYLE MALLS: Get an instant P200 cashback when you spend an accumulated amount of P2,000 PLUS a chance to win P10,000 when you #ScanToPay at least P500 using PayMaya QR at participating merchants in Megaworld Lifestyle Malls (Eastwood City, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Forbes Town, Southwoods Mall, Uptown Mall, McKinley Hill, Newport Mall, and Festival Walk Mall Iloilo) until January 10, 2021. You can enjoy the P200 cashback reward twice during the promo period, for a total of P400 savings!
• POWER PLANT MALL and SANTOLAN TOWN PLAZA: Enjoy exclusive perks and prizes when you shop at participating merchants using PayMaya QR. Stay tuned for more details!

 

"PayMaya is really the #BetterQR when it comes to shopping for your friends, officemates, and loved ones this holiday season. You not only get to stay safe while shopping in your favorite malls, you also enjoy the convenience and the exciting rewards whenever you pay cashless using PayMaya," said Raymund Villanueva, Business Head for QR Ecosystems at PayMaya.

 

The best way to give this holiday season 

 

With all these exciting offers, using PayMaya is clearly the best way to give gifts to your loved ones this Christmas season – especially for ninongs and ninangs who prefer to stay at home in the holidays.  

 

With PayMaya on hand, you can easily take advantage of the exciting PayMayaguinaldo offers and get a more rewarding experience when you choose to shop for your gifts at PayMaya’s partner establishments online and in-stores, or send treats to your inaanaks purchased from the PayMaya in-app shop. If you’re the type who lets your inaanak buy their own gift, you can easily send them aguinaldo money via PayMaya from the comforts of your home! 

 

PayMaya enables all kinds of creative ways to give this season—the joy is in discovering them and making your loved ones happy! 

 

Getting PayMaya and paying for your purchases during the holidays using the app is very easy. Just download the PayMaya app at https://official.paymaya.com/CAK1/425eb133 and register an account using the invite code BETTERWAYTOPAY to earn P100, to find out what it’s like to go cashless with the fastest, safest, and most rewarding, to pay for anything online and in stores! Remember, for everything you need to pay, don’t pay cash. PayMaya! 

 

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

 

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account, with the widest 57,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya remittance agent network of over 30,000 partner touchpoints 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. 

Brother Philippines continues digital push with Viber Shop @Home

With Filipinos looking for more and more ways to do their shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic through non-traditional ways and channels, brands have been taking their wares to cyberspace to make it safer and more convenient for everyone. 

 

In light of this, Brother Philippines continues to modernize their operations further with the launch of Viber Shop @ Home, a digital storefront and public community on the popular mobile and online messaging app.

 

In the Viber Shop @ Home group, customers can chat with Community Assistants to inquire about the Brother products they need. These Community Assistants can, in turn, connect customers to authorized online Brother dealers.

“We’re always looking to make our customers’ experience easier and, most importantly, safer during these times,” said Brother Philippines President Glenn Hocson. “This is why we’re going all in on our online services, which include the new Viber Shop @ Home. Filipinos looking for our quality Brother Products should give this a try!”

Customers can join the Viber group through https://bit.ly/BrotherShopatHome. They can also purchase Brother products online through participating partners and dealers on e-commerce platforms and the official Brother Philippines website at brother.com.ph. To see the list of stores available, customers may visit https://bit.ly/WheretoBuyBrother.

 

For more information, customers may visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BROTHERatyourside/. They can also call the Brother Helpdesk Hotline at (02) 8 581-9898, or through the toll-free line at 1-10-BROTHER or send an email to helpdesk@brother.com.ph.

Share the most joyful celebrations with family and friends in a fun, safe way, with the new Jollibee Virtual Party!

Celebrating with family or friends is always a special and meaningful event for Filipinos. Every parent wants to give their kids only the best and most memorable birthday party while friends and family members put in extra effort in preparing for a joyful Christmas celebration.  Whatever the occasion, Pinoys truly cherish such special occasions where they bond over great food with people special to them. 

However, with the current health situation, most parties have been limited to one’s household with the usual online gathering of family and friends.  Good thing Jollibee now enables everyone to still give the most joyful party experience with the launch of the Jollibee Virtual Party, a complete and first-of-its-kind fully online celebration package.

 

To start off, no party is complete without delicious food. The Jollibee Virtual party includes all-time favorite Jollibee meals that are delivered straight to guests. For party decors, no need to worry and to go out and buy. Customers can choose from available party themes like the Jollitown Theme Park or Fairytale Land.  The easy to set up party decors will even be delivered to their homes. 

Fun times at Jollitown! Nate Alcasid’s Jollibee Virtual Party gathers some of his family and friends for an afternoon of games and surprises conducted by a professional party host.

 

Thinking of games to make the party more fun and exciting? That’s covered too! The Jollibee Virtual Party comes with a 1-hour program complete with interactive games, sing and dance-along activities and a lot of surprises that is facilitated by a professional party host. Of course, there’s also a special gift for the celebrant – his or her very own huggable Jollibee doll! 

 

To avail of the Jollibee Virtual Party experience, customers can first choose their party size. A celebration for five (5) homes, which is good for 15 persons, is priced at P11,500. A party for ten (10) homes with a total of thirty (30) guests is offered at P16,500, while a celebration for twenty (20) homes with sixty (60) invitees combined is packaged at P26,500.

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid throws her son Nate a fun and exciting Jollibee Virtual Party to the theme of Jollitown

 

Customers can then choose the Jollibee meals to share with their guests. They can pick among solo meal options that may include a 1-pc Chickenjoy with Jolly Spaghetti or 1-pc Chickenjoy with rice, plus - Peach Mango Pie, fries and drink; or family meal selections that consist of a 6-pc Chickenjoy Bucket with either a Jolly Spaghetti Pan, or Jolly Spaghetti, rice and drinks. Customers can also customize their party bundle to their needs once they have chosen the initial package.

 

Fun giveaways can also be sent to guests. They can choose to give out a Jolly Kiddie Meal toy (P45 per piece, P270 per set of 6 toys), a Jollibee Doll (P250), a Jollibee Funko POP! in Philippine Barong (P575), a Jollibee Funko POP! on Delivery Bike (P730), or a Jollibee Hetty Funko POP! 2-pack (P1,100).

 

Avail now of the Jollibee Virtual Party for the most joyful and memorable online party experience! Just fill out the party inquiry form available on jollibee.com.ph and the Jollibee App.

 

For more info, visit Jollibee’s official Facebook page.

 

 

Fisher Supermarket launches FisherSupermarket.ph for online grocery shopping

While people in general are concerned about the present situation regarding pandemic, the youngest generations are particularly altering their purchasing behaviors. Almost everyone I know is shopping online, and is afraid to go out and shop in the mall. Im glad that even the biggest supermarket such as Fishermall has its own online website. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has rewritten the rules of retail. With quarantine restrictions forcing people to stay at home, and safety protocols limiting ease of movement in accessing everyday needs, brick-and-mortar stores have quickly turned to online channels to keep business going.  At the frontline of this digital shift are the retail heavyweights – legacy grocers and supermarkets who supply people with their everyday staples.

 

Fisher Supermarket, the grocery superstore in Quezon City and Malabon that offers the freshest seafood at palengke prices, has also stepped up its online presence, with the launch of its dedicated ecommerce website – the all-new FisherSupermarket.ph. Customers can now access the website and do their virtual grocery shopping, through same-day or next-day express delivery anywhere in Metro Manila. 

Among existing online groceries in the country, FisherSupermarket.ph offers the largest selection of products from a single source, clustered into 18 categories – from bakery, to wines and spirits, health and beauty, homecare, pantry staples, pet care, confections, pharmacy to fresh meat, seafood and produce. What’s remarkable is its fresh catch of day that you can buy on the day it was harvested by Fisher’s heritage business, Irma Fishing.  Truly, the first “sea-to-table” online service in the metro. 

 

Then there’s the added convenience. Fisher Supermarket has also carried over its free extra services in its fresh section – such as seafood preparation (descaling, slicing, cleaning), and fresh produce handpicked by its professional personal shoppers. Order before 12 noon & you may have your orders delivered the same day. 

 

The new FisherSupermarket.ph is an ecommerce-enabled enterprise by BarapidoMart, the online retail brand of Barapido Inc. From being a marketplace for local contemporary Filipino heritage products in 2018 and an online grocer during the ECQ, BarapidoMart has transformed into a complete, end-to-end online retail management specialist for businesses that want to go online and grow their market base. 

 

With services such as merchandising, management of payment gateways, customer service, content marketing and social media management, all the way to order fulfillment and shipping – BarapidoMart sees the process through – from purchase to checkout, to transporting the ordered items straight to customers’ doorsteps.

 

This seamless capability in retail fulfillment stems from BarapidoMart’s affiliation with one of the leading 3^RDparty logistics providers in the country – the Logistikus Group. Logistikus currently operates a multichannel management platform covering retailing and store operations, fulfillment and order management at multiple locations, as well as shipping and fleet operations. In 30 months of mobilization, the group has acquired 47 engagements from 27 principals, providing last mile delivery to online businesses, and working directly with manufacturers and retailers for their logistics requirements.

 

With COVID-19 permanently changing consumer behavior and driving more people to buy online, businesses have to contend with the attendant challenges of e-tailing from unreliable delivery, to poor customer service, inefficient inventory distribution and competition from multiple service providers. What is critical to ecommerce success is choosing a fulfillment service that balances customer convenience and operational efficiency through a well-structured physical logistics operations. This is the only way to meet emerging customer expectations and not just adapt, but thrive in the next normal.

 

Smart powers PhilPop 2020’s search for next OPM hits

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. continues to champion Original Pilipino Music (OPM) by supporting the 2020 PhilPop songwriting tilt. 

 

Pushing forward amid limitations of a worldwide pandemic, PhilPop Festival Chair Ryan Caybyab shared, “We’ve planned for this year’s festival way back in 2019 when COVID-19 was nowhere in sight. When the pandemic hit us, we had to make a huge pivot in terms of the execution of most ideas, many of which were originally envisioned to happen in the usual, traditional in-person platform.” 

 

He added, “We did encounter challenges in executing some tasks. In terms of producing the songs for example, it was quite a different process owing to the restrictions in travel and mobility. But I’m happy to say that PhilPop managed to find ways thanks to the ingenuity of the team and their passion to make things happen.” 

 

Singer-songwriter and Festival Co-chair Noel Cabangon also admitted that lack of physical interaction made early goings of the search quite difficult. “PhilPop festival this year is basically faced with a challenge of not celebrating the event face to face or with physical presence and interaction between the audience and the performers. Everything has to be migrated to digital. It may have its advantage in terms of costs of production but to make it more appealing and creative on digital is a tough challenge.”

 

Technology bridged much of the distance for this year’s nationwide search. “Technology made things possible for us. Amid the pandemic, it served as a bridge for us to continue engaging with one another. It gave us a platform where we could continue to do things that we previously thought aren’t possible virtually. It also helps provide a new dimension and flavors to our songs as we discover more reasons of how great it is as a tool in music production,” explained Cayabyab.

Cabangon echoed, “Technology is the ultimate answer to the major hurdle of this festival. Connecting people in order to keep the festival preparation running was made possible by the aid of technology.”

 

Smart People’s Choice for best songs

 

Smart People’s Choice Award for Best Song also makes a return this year. Music fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite song via Twitter Poll from December 4-11 and through streaming on Spotify and YouTube on December 11.

 

PhilPop 2020 pulled all the stops by gathering finalists from the following clusters: Mindanao, Visayas, North Luzon, South Luzon, and Metro Manila. Those who will top the votes per cluster will be named Smart’s People’s Choice awardee bringing a total of five winners this year for this category.

 

Voting for the most popular songs will be an exciting experience for Smart subscribers because this year’s roster proves to be a promising batch. “The entries are wonderful, it was difficult to eliminate songs. Salute to our Lead Adjudicators, Trina Belamide and Jungee Marcelo and to our partners from Warner Music and the regions for patiently and successfully screening the songs,” said Cayabyab.

 

Going nationwide also helped PhilPop discover even more songwriters whose passion for music are only matched by the entries they were able to come up with. “It’s amazing how much talent our songwriters have and I am glad we are able to encourage many of them including those in the regions to join. This year’s finalists are a great mix of songs and I am sure many - whether they are here or across our borders - will enjoy listening to the top 15 songs.”

 

To vote for your favorite songs, join the Twitter Poll starting Dec. 4 or stream the songs on Spotify and YouTube. The PhilPop 2020 Finals Night takes centerstage on Dec. 12, 2020. Follow Smart Communications on Facebook and @livesmart on Twitter for more details.

 

Shop the top Amazfit wearables only at Shopee!

Want a smartwatch that can help you record your menstrual and ovulation periods, and alert you before they arrive so that you can plan ahead and avoid disruptions? Look no more , because Amazfit Bip U  smartwatch which records your exercise data to help you work out at a higher level is now available in Amazfit Official store via Shopee.  

You can check your walking distance, speed, heart rate changes, calories burned, and other key factors such as whether you are exercising in your fat burning zone or cardiopulmonary strengthening zone based on your heart rate, as well as providing instant alerts when your heart rate gets too high. 

You can now add to cart this beauty and get it at 25% off only at Shopee!

My Top Pick: 

                                        Amazfit BIP U Smart Watch (Global Version) - Black

                                    SRP3999 Less 25% is now PHP3000

Blood-oxygen Level Measurement Grasp a new metric of health - This smart watch is equipped with a newly upgraded biological optical tracking sensor, the BioTrackerTM 2, that supports measurement of blood-oxygen saturation. When feeling unwell, under mental stress, engaged in intensive workouts such as marathons and gym sessions, or in high-altitude and hypoxic environments, you can immediately measure your blood-oxygen saturation and understand your physical state.

For more amazing deals and discounts, you can shop it here Amazfit official store.

You can download the Shopee app for free from the App Store or Google Play

Health and wellness advocate Juana Manahan-Yupangco shares chosen items from the curated lineup of fine art pieces at the Cuarto auction

Health and wellness advocate Juana Manahan-Yupangco shared her chosen items from the curated lineup of fine art pieces that will go under the hammer at the Cuarto auction of Palacio de Memoria's auction house, Casa de Memoria, on November 28, Saturday, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The special auction will benefit Typhoon Ulysses victims and COVID-19 patients and frontliners.

The Cuarto auction will feature a total of 180 Filipino and European objets d’art, spanning paintings, furniture, tableware, and religious iconographies, among many others. As Christmas draws near, these masterpieces will not only evoke happiness among your loved ones during the Yuletide season but can also elevate your home for intimate Holiday celebrations.

 

Manahan-Yupangco has her eyes on three lots – the Spanish silver small tray [Lot 126], the large octagonal Spanish silver centerpiece bowl [Lot 165]

, and the pair of three-light serpentine Portuguese silver candelabra [Lot 167].

 

"I would use all these in a dining setup – I would place candle sticks in the candelabra, some flowers in the bowl, and the tray is for serving drinks during cocktail hour," she said.

 

Aside from putting them in her own home, Manahan-Yupangco also shared that her chosen items would be perfect Holiday gifts. “They will be easily appreciated by anyone, and anyone can style them according to their tastes,” she said.

 

For additional Holiday gift ideas, Manahan-Yupangco had more Cuarto pieces in mind. She said that the small silver bell with figure of Hermes [Lot 173] would be a perfect gift for her mom because she has a collection of bells at home, while her sister, Lilliana, would surely appreciate any of the cigarette cases from the auction which she can repurpose as business card holders.

 

Explore Juana Manahan-Yupangco’s picks and more auction pieces at bit.ly/CasaDeMemoriaOnline. Part of the auction proceeds will be donated to Typhoon Ulysses victims and Santa Ana Hospital in Manila for the maintenance of an enhanced quarantine facility for medical frontliners and COVID-19 patients.

 

For more details, call (02) 8253-3994 or e-mail hello@casadememoria.com. You may also join the intimate auction preview until November 27 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Palacio de Memoria at 95 Roxas Blvd., Tambo, Parañaque. Strict safety protocols are in place at the venue. For more information, visit https://www.casadememoria.com/ or follow @thecasadememoria on Facebook and @casadememoria on Instagram.

 

You may also connect with Juana Manahan-Yupangcoon Instagram @juanayupangco or @mesanimisis. Manahan-Yupangco’s cookbook,“Mesa ni Misis: A Guide to Cooking & Enjoying Native Filipino Vegetables,” is also out now and can be ordered here: https://mesanimisis.com/mesa-ni-misis-cookbook.