PHINLA held an online forum during the Earth Day celebration

After a year since COVID-19 hit the Philippines, the pandemic continues to pose enormous risks and challenges across many levels of the society. Waste management is no exception.

Since safety is the topmost priority, people opt to use disposable products as an added layer of protection. The Philippines has already been recorded as one of the world’s leading waste contributors. Approximately 15 million tons of wastes are generated in the country each year. This figure does not yet reflect the waste generated during the pandemic. 

Studies show that billions of face masks, plastic gloves, and disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) sets are being produced and used globally during the pandemic. Unfortunately, many of these end up in waterways, in the oceans, and open seas. The waste management problems posed by COVID-19 beset LGUs, many of whom still struggle to implement the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. 

“With total lockdowns and the closure of majority of business establishments in the country to enforce physical distancing, there was a surge in demand for home delivery services of food and groceries, which has led to an increase in the generation of common packaging plastic wastes,” shared Joben Asuncion, Project Coordinator of PHINLA (Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka) Global Program. 

“Due to reduced recycling activities as a result of coronavirus outbreak, management and handling of plastic waste has become a huge challenge for the waste management particularly in our communities,” Asuncion added.

Based on the 2018 figures from the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), there are only more than 10,000 materials recovery facilities in the country catering to the more than 40,000 barangays in the Philippines. These challenges call for more proactive responses not only from the government but from all sectors.

The lingering waste management concerns require intensified education campaigns to raise the public’s understanding that everyone has a role in solving waste management problems. “Education is the key to success and it opens opportunities, making it possible for each of us to contribute to a progressive, healthy and sustainable society. The effects are already visible and will be catastrophic unless we act now,” Asuncion explained.

In helping to achieve this goal, PHINLA, a partnership project of World Vision Development Foundation and EcoWaste Coalition, carries out a series of advocacy campaigns among household members, LGU officials, waste collectors, and students across the country as part of the project’s aim to assist LGUs and other stakeholders to improve waste management systems, livelihood opportunities to waste collectors, and raise the public’s active involvement to address the waste problem in the communities.

“Through waste management education, innovation, and adherence to our commitments, we can make the necessary changes to protect our planet,” Asuncion added.

Earth Day Forum 

As part of its advocacy campaigns, PHINLA held an online forum during the Earth Day celebration to showcase how the LGUs of Quezon City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Davao City respond to the ever-present challenge of managing solid wastes, now aggravated by the pandemic. In the said forum, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro Chairman Wendelyn Escobia shared that the LGU is implementing the "no segregation, no collection" policy and has designated a segregation bin and material recovery facility for collected wastes. 

However, garbage collection in their village paused for a while during the implementation of community quarantine. Garbage piled up, and collection was made even more challenging because they were using only one mini dump truck to collect their wastes. As a response, the LGU intensified its information drive about solid waste segregation through house-to-house campaigns. The local government also passed an ordinance for the proper disposal of PPE and encouraged urban container gardening through the help of the bio shredder donated by PHINLA. 

“Through the help of PHINLA, our waste collectors in Cugman no longer spend a lot of time segregating wastes because it’s being done already in the household level. The pedicabs and motorbikes donated by PHINLA also made their jobs easier,” Escobia shared. 

In Quezon City, several activities are being done to manage the city's solid wastes, including weekly cleanup drive, tree planting activities, and declogging operations. The city is also implementing the "no segregation, no collection" policy. Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City Chairman Wilfredo Cara said “I would like to thank World Vision, EcoWaste Coalition, and PHINLA for the assistance they provide to our barangay especially in this time of pandemic.” Through the program, Bagong Silangan received waste collection vehicles, face masks, gloves, and other protective equipment for their waste collectors. 

Meanwhile, Chairman Rey Amador Bargamento of Barangay Mintal, Davao City shared that as early as 2013, Mintal has already been intentional in intensifying segregation at source. There was high compliance, but logistic limitations took a toll on their campaign. They had no clear collection schedule and had only one mini dump truck catering to 23 areas.

"When we started, we were lacking knowledge, equipment, and personnel. That's why we are grateful that PHINLA partnered with us. We had training activities already. We have the tools that we need. Our partnership with PHINLA helps us in making segregation at source an ultimate goal in Barangay Mintal. It makes our dream for a clean branagay closer to reality,” said Chairman Bargamento. 

PHINLA is set to carry out series of training activities for waste collectors, LGUs household members, and students this year. More units of pedicabs and motorbikes will also be donated to its partner LGUs.

E-TalkTales 10: Digital Transformation through PeopleTech

As we adopt to the present situation and practice safety protocols, we are all swiftly accelerating our adoption of digital technologies, whether its online learning,  payments and of course online banking. It really is easier not to mention safe to do our banking transaction nowadays. 

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) held its 10th E-TalkTales media event last April 21, wherein the Bank talked about its people-centric digital transformation and how this has helped not only its employees but also external stakeholders in line with the Bank's goal of enabling inclusive prosperity in the country. 

UnionBank Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer Michelle Rubio opened the discussion by talking about the Bank's successful digital transformation, which she attributed to its people. She then said that for digital transformation to succeed, organizations must focus more on equipping their workforce with the right skills and helping them become more agile, as this can give them more mileage than just investing in the latest software and equipment.

"Contrary to popular belief, digital transformation is less about technology and more about people. You can pretty much buy any technology but our ability to adapt to an even more digital future depends on developing the next generation of skills, closing the gap between talent supply and demand, and future-proofing your own and others’ potential," Rubio said.

Rubio underscored the importance of continuously upskilling employees because of the possibility of skill sets becoming obsolete in a few years as a result of the rapid advance of technology, citing a recent study by multi-national advisory firm Deloitte that reported that many skills are expected to become obsolete in five years and may even continue to shrink as the world becomes increasingly more digital. 

"UnionBank continuously upskills employees true to its commitment of growing and developing its talents and the talent community," Rubio said. "Holding on to its purpose of co-creating innovations for a better world, UnionBank was able to forge a strategy that could accelerate talent at any point of interaction with the Bank. This is called People Tech: people at the core, technology at the fore. Aligned to the Bank's purpose of co-creating innovations for a better world, UnionBank focused on People to make the transformation happen."

"People Tech advocates digital delivery to build capabilities and bring it to hyperspeed, allowing accelerated talent development and capability building inside and outside the organization," Rubio added.

In line with its People Tech advocacy, UnionBank has been successfully implementing various programs aimed at equipping people with the necessary skills for them to thrive in the digital workplace. One of these programs is the Xcellerator series, which offers accessible education not only to UnionBank employees, but also to anyone outside the Bank who wishes to learn more about topics that are relevant in the digital world. Since introducing the Xcellerator series, the Bank has helped thousands of learners become more knowledgeable in different topics related to digitization, including blockchain, application programming interface, project management, digital marketing, data privacy, coding, and fintech, among others.

"Through Xcellerator, we advocate digital delivery through capability building, so that innovations may happen ensuring no one gets left behind. We 'tech-up' the Philippines by educating and mentoring our community members in emerging technologies, contributing to the higher purpose of co-creating innovations for a better world, possibly opening up opportunities for Filipino tech talents," said Special Projects Head for UnionBank's Fintech Group and Xcellerator Program Lead, Nix Syjuco.

Another highlight of the discussion were UnionBank's numerous initiatives aligned with the People Tech advocacy that have benefitted various external stakeholders especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these are the GoBeyond Communities initiative, which encourages UnionBank employees to join community centric activities that are in line with their personal advocacies; the HEROES 2021 initiative in partnership with Thames International School that aims to train educators on how to conduct classes online; and the Climathon Online Ideation initiative which encourages people to help in the creation of solutions that address the most pressing issues today.

Speaking about the Bank's efforts to help enable inclusive prosperity in the country, UnionBank Vice President for Sustainability Dave Devilles said that the goal is to continuously change the way people see technology, and help them realize its potential to create lasting positive impact and how it can be used for the greater good. 

"It's really about changing the mindset and moving the behavior, and we have witnessed how UnionBank has evolved from our desire to build capabilities internally, to share these, and to help communities and ultimately our country," Devilles said.

ShopeePay now accepts debit cards from more than 30 financial institutions

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, makes it easier for users to top up their ShopeePay mobile wallets with the all-new debit card integration feature. 

The digital economy in the Philippines has seen a solid annual growth rate of 12.2%. In the government’s roadmap for e-commerce, the Philippines is expected to shift to a cashless society by 2030 driven by seamless customer experience, convenience and a secure digital infrastructure. 

Shopee recorded a 4x uplift in the total number of orders completed by its mobile wallets across the region in 2020, and this is set to increase as more people adopt digital payment options. Shopee aims to provide users with a seamless and convenient shopping experience through its integrated ecosystem. Enhancing ShopeePay with additional top-up methods is one of the many ways that Shopee is doing so.

Martin Yu, Director of Shopee Philippines, said, “We aim to provide our users with the most convenient shopping experience through ShopeePay. With the new debit card integration feature, users can enjoy convenient and secure payment options while making purchases online, and get access to exclusive promotions, vouchers, and overall greater cost savings. We are continuously looking for ways to deliver a seamless online shopping experience for our users during this pandemic.”

ShopeePay users can link their debit cards to their accounts through six simple steps: 

1. Go to ShopeePay on the application Homepage and select “Top-Up”

2. Input desired top-up amount (the minimum top-up amount for Debit Cards is P1,000)

3. Go to payment methods and tap on “Add Debit Card”

4. Input card number, expiry date and CVC 

5. Enter captcha

6. The newly added debit card will be displayed under the ‘Debit Card’ section

For users who are looking to activate their ShopeePay accounts, follow this easy two-step process: 

1. Go to ShopeePay on the Shopee Homepage

2. Enter personal information such as name and ID number and create a PIN for payment authorization

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play. 

Ginebra San Miguel’s latest campaign “Bagong Tapang” highlights the new Gin Kings jerseys and Cap Collection Promo

Just as we all know, basketball is the nation's favorite pastime. If youre a sport fanatic and a fan of Ginebra San Miguel like I do and everyone else in the family for the past decade already. Then having their jerseys and wear them to show support for the team is something a fan like us would eventually do. Everyone has been waiting for the Gin Kings merchandise this year and we are all glad that its now here!

For its latest consumer promo, Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) is giving basketball fans a platform to come together and extend help to those who are affected by the pandemic. “Bagong Tapang sa One Ginebra Nation Jersey and Cap Collection Promo” lets basketball fans collect Gin Kings merchandise and give back at the same time.

 

The jersey and cap collection promo had a virtual media launch recently that was streamed live via Ginebra San Miguel’s Facebook page. The promo is in line with Ginebra San Miguel’s latest campaign “Bagong Tapang” which highlights the new courage and strength that Filipinos possess to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The jerseys that were unveiled during the event featured Scottie Thompson (6), Stanley Pringle (11), Japeth Aguilar (25), La Tenorio (5), and Mark Caguioa (47). Starting on May 1 to June 30, 2021, fans can get their hands on the limited-edition merchandise for only P100 for the One Ginebra Nation jersey or P150 for the One Ginebra Nation cap for every six (6) seals or caps of any combination of Ginebra San Miguel, GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin and Primera Light Brandy.

 

During the launch, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fans got to see their favorite players for the first time after winning the 2020 Philippine Cup championship at the historic PBA bubble in December last year. With the restrictions in social gatherings, the traditional championship victory party and fans day had to be set aside.

 

“Ang Ginebra fans ibang level talaga. May PBA man o wala, nararamdaman namin na nandyan sila at sumusuporta sa amin. At first, we thought we are not going to survive playing without the fans because as a never-say-die team, doon kami humuhugot ng lakas. Sila ‘yung 6th man namin sa game. Napag-usapan ng team na iisipin namin ‘yung ginagawa namin ay para sa fans at para magbigay inspirasyon lalo na sa panahon ngayon,” relates LA Tenorio of the Gin Kings’ PBA bubble experience.

 

PAYING IT FORWARD

The jersey collection promo had been one of Ginebra San Miguel’s most patronized consumer promotions. For this year, GSMI tapped non-profit organization Gawad Kalinga (GK) as its partner for this project’s noble undertaking.

 

“To underscore the need for unity during these times, we partnered with Gawad Kalinga and through the promo, we aim to support GK’s Barangay Walang Iwanan program that helps Filipinos who are severely affected by the pandemic. We hope to encourage Gin Kings fans and our consumers to ‘put on’ a Bagong Tapang kind of courage and to wear this kind of Bagong Tapang for others to see and emulate,” says GSMI General manager Noli Macalalag.

 

For every jersey or cap that they redeem, basketball fans and consumers will be able to donate to GK’s Barangay Walang Iwanan program that supports the farmers in Sariaya, Quezon, and the fishermen in Barangay Bagumbayan, Pililla, Rizal.

 

“Bagong Tapang sa One Ginebra Nation Jersey and Cap Collection” merchandises are available for redemption at selected Puregold and other redemption outlets nationwide. To confirm the merchandise’s authenticity, an authentication patch can be found on the lower left part of the jersey, while an authentication sticker is attached to the cap.

 

For more details and updates on the promo, log on to www.ginebra.com.ph, check out the official Facebook page of Ginebra San Miguel www.facebook.com/barangayginebra or call the GSMI customer care hotline at 8632-2564.

 

GSMI is the producer of Ginebra San Miguel, the world’s largest-selling gin according to leading global drinks journal Drinks International. It is also a 15-time Gold Quality Label awardee of the Monde Selection International Quality Institute.

 

Here’s a roundup of the products you need in order to stay sleek despite the heat

If youre still afraid to go out and in the look out for your summer beauty essentials, you can shop your beauty products via Shopee.

Summer’s upon us once again! How are you dealing with the sweltering heat? As we stay home, the challenge is looking cool and crisp for all our online meetings and managing hulas and sweat stains. To look and feel fresh this summer, you need lightweight and non-sticky beauty products that won’t just hold up throughout the day, but also protect your skin from the harsh heat. Focus on looking for gentle, hydrating ingredients.

 

From hair care to makeup, Shopee Beauty has all your summer makeup and skincare needs! Starting April 21, enjoy up to 90% off when you buy your beauty essentials on Shopee. 

Here’s a roundup of the products you need in order to stay sleek despite the heat:

 

 

The first step to beating the summer heat is a thorough cleanse. Choose a non-comedogenic facial wash as it won’t clog your pores. Neutrogena Foaming Cleanser removes excess sebum while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture balance. Are you prone to oily, congested skin during summer? Remove pesky little blackheads without damaging your skin by choosing a product with healing ingredients. Breylee Blackhead Mask contains centella asiatica extract to soothe broken, irritated skin. If you’re shaving more often these days so you can enjoy sleeveless tops, don’t forget to give your pits extra TLC. NIVEA Deodorant is made with aloe vera, which can help heal razor cuts and prevent ingrown hairs. Lastly, all that sweating isn’t good for the scalp, so de-clog your hair follicles with Palmolive Shampoo. It’s infused with natural lemon oil, which removes dead skin cells and dandruff. 

Suffering from prickly heat? Give yourself a luxurious shower with Dove Body Wash. It’s packed with avocado oil, which helps red, itchy skin calm down. If you’re too shy to wear shorts because of dark spots on your legs, Vaseline Gel Lotion, which contains niacinamide, can give you flawless gams. You’ll also love its easily absorbable and minty formulation that’s perfect for humid days. The excessive heat can damage your hair, so restore it to its healthy appearance with Cream Silk Conditioner. It contains argan, rosehip, and marula oils, which protect damaged follicles, encourage hair growth, and tame frizz. 

 

 

Want to go foundation-free to let your skin breathe? Use Vitamin C to brighten dark spots so you can finally flaunt a bare face. Aside from Vitamin C, Lanbena Vitamin C Serum is packed with hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin. Meanwhile, retinol is your best bet against aging—it significantly reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Pond’s Day and Night Cream contains not just retinol, but also niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for clear and hydrated skin. Suffering from dry, brittle locks? Protein treatments strengthen keratin in your hair and promote growth. With L’Oreal Repair Mask’s gold quinoa and protein extracts, your hair will truly look like your crowning glory.

Hot summer days require makeup products that won’t slide off your face. Oil-free, water-based makeup is the way to go! For that natural flush, dab Maybelline Gel Blush onto your cheeks. It’s lightweight and blendable, so you don’t need to worry about overapplying it. For brows that stay put no matter how sweaty you get, choose gel formulations. With Sace Lady Eyebrow Gel, you can draw long-lasting, natural-looking arches with its creamy gel texture.

 

Find more summer skincare and makeup essentials at Shopee Beauty starting April 21. For more information, visit https://shopee.ph/m/shopee-beauty. 

 

More beauty and healthcare brands such as Fresh PH, BLK Cosmetics, Lanbena, GSK, Sanofi, Garnier, Happy Skin, Revlon, The Body Shop, and L’Oreal Pro are going on sale up to 90% off at Shopee’s Beauty Fair this April 27-28, so stay tuned. Watch out for even bigger deals at 5.5 Brands Festival as well. Visit https://shopee.ph/m/5-5for details.

 

Don’t forget to top up your ShopeePay for even more discounts on your beauty haul! Get free shipping with a minimum spend of ₱199. You can also enjoy 8% cashback with a minimum spend of ₱1,000.

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

 

BDO’s sustainable investments follow global trend, still robust amid COVID-19

BDO Unibank’s foray into sustainable investments continues to pay dividends even amid the pandemic, following the global trend of strong growth in environmental, social and governance (ESG)-themed investments. 

 

Economic pundits observed that COVID-19 has only strengthened the importance of ESG as investors look for more resilient investments amidst economic uncertainties brought about by the pandemic.

 

Globally, assets under management (AUM) anchored on sustainable investments jumped 29% in the fourth quarter of 2020 to $1.7 trillion.

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY. A 54-megawatt wind farm in Pililla, Rizal with 27 turbines generates clean energy and is also a spectacle among local tourists. This is one of the many sustainable energy projects BDO Unibank, through its investment banking arm BDO Capital & Investment Corp., has funded along with other local commercial banks.

 

 

Domestically, BDO’s ESG Unit Investment Trust Fund (ESG UITF)—the first of its kind in the Philippines—posted returns of 13.95% and 19.90% in the last six and three months, respectively, leading to end-December 2020.

 

As of end-2020, the value of the AUM of this instrument grew 79% to PhP99.4 million from P55.5 million in 2016. 

 

From Php55.5 million in 2016, the AUM of BDO ESG UITF have grown steadily to Php60.1 million in 2017, Php66.6 million in 2018, Php75.2 million in 2019, and Php99.4 million in 2020.

 

The BDO ESG UITF followed a similar higher return performance shown by ESG funds globally, proving the importance of sustainable business practices. 

 

“While the Fund is still small, it has the potential to grow in size and importance as more investors are consciously looking for companies that protect the environment, are socially responsible, and practice good governance in a sustainable manner,” BDO said.

 

The BDO ESG UITF allows investors to see value in socially responsible companies as an investment destination for their funds, and to invest in one fund that covers several companies, instead of investing separately in every local company that they believe creates a positive contribution to society. 

 

“Its importance is further heightened during this time of the pandemic, as sustainable investment amplifies the Bank's resiliency to unforeseen global or local crises” the Bank added.

Catriona Gray and other celebrities share their all-time favorite Netflix films and TV shows

 With accessibility to online content and streaming platforms, it comes as no surprise that there is more interest when it comes to exploring and discovering content online. This also proves to be true when finding good films and shows to watch on a digital streaming platform like Netflix.

 

#TeamGalaxy ambassadors are just some of those who have relied on Netflix to stay updated with the latest movies and TV shows. They use the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, which comes with superior sound quality and other exciting features, to make streaming on their Galaxy smartphone or tablet more immersive. 

 

Catriona Gray, Richard Juan, Alyssa and Gabriella Gibbs, Bea Benedicto, and Jason Magbanua share their all-time favorite Netflix films and TV shows:

 

Catriona Gray

More often than not, me-time for Catriona means binge-watching on her Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G paired with her Galaxy Buds Pro. She finds inspiration in documentaries of musical artists. Lady Gaga’s Gaga: Five Foot Two, Taylor Swift’s Miss Americana, and Beyoncé’s Homecoming are some of her recent favorites. 

 

“I love seeing how their artistic vision comes alive through their music, and what life events inspired their craft,” Catriona said. 

 

As for shows, Catriona gravitates towards feel-good titles like Queer Eye. “I love the heart of this show and I’ve laughed and cried multiple times watching it,” she added. She has also seen New Girl multiple times and she watches the show to unwind after a long day. 

 

Catriona makes sure to binge-watch her favorite Netflix shows with immersive sound using the Galaxy Buds Pro. The earbuds feature studio-quality audio for a cinematic movie experience when watching on her Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.

 

Alyssa and Gabriella Gibbs

The Gibbs sisters surely love Netflix as they use the platform every day. The sisters enjoy watching movies and TV shows that have a good story and are artfully made. The shows they binge contain "a mix of our love for art, music, and fashion.”

 

Some of their top series include Call My Agent, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Blown Away, The Queen’s Gambit, Lupin, Pose, Glow, and Abstract: The Art of Design. They count Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl as shows they’ve seen multiple times. They’ve also seen some K-dramas and TV shows like Crash Landing on You, Itaewon Class, and Kingdom.

 

For movies, they have varying tastes: Alyssa likes fantasy and sci-fi titles while Gabriella enjoys romantic comedies. Some of their favorite movies on Netflix are Moxie, I Care a Lot, Malcolm and Marie, Made You Look, and Prom.

 

Despite their diverse taste in films, Alyssa and Gabriella both agree that it’s important to have a device that brings a sense of realism to the viewer. They are happy that the Galaxy Buds Pro has a 360 Audio feature which makes watching more engaging and immersive for them.  

 

Richard Juan

Richard is the go-to guy for everything K-drama. His all-time favorite is It's Okay to Not Be Okay. 

 

“It never gets old. It helped me cope during the pandemic and it’s nice that it also inspired and gave hope to everyone.” Other favorites include Start-Up, My Love From the Star, Crash Landing on You, and Record of Youth.

 

Because of his love for K-dramas, Richard shares that he’s thankful that the Galaxy Buds Pro comes with an intelligent Active Noise Cancellation which filters up to 99% of background noise so he can focus on watching without interruptions.

 

Bea Benedicto

The TV and events host describes herself as a big horror and thriller fan. She’s binged The Haunting of Hill House and says she can watch it 50 more times since “it’s just so good!” Thriller movies like Bird Box and In the Tall Grass made her heart race.

 

She enjoys the anime selection on Netflix, sharing Attack on Titan, Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba as some of her recent picks.

 

Bea is also a fan of movies and TV shows that give her good vibes and kilig. Some of her favorite movies are Kimi no Na wa or Your Name, Bridesmaids, and Bridget Jones’s Diary. For TV series, she enjoys Jane the Virgin and K-dramas like Love Alarm, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.

 

If she could name one Netflix title that has inspired her as an individual, it would be RuPaul’s Drag Race. 

 

“No show has inspired me to be more creative and political. It’s not just a reality show about drag. It’s a movement, a beacon of hope,” Bea mentioned. 

 

Bea loves to binge-watch movies throughout the day. She says that the Galaxy Buds Pro has a long-lasting battery life which can keep up with her daily marathons day and night.

 

Jason Magbanua

The wedding videographer is a huge fan of blockbusters, comic book adaptations, and heist and spy thrillers. Jason says that he can't not watch the Ocean's trilogy. 

 

“The movies aged so well and the star power still cannot be beaten. What an amazing ensemble!”

 

His passion for action-packed titles extends to other favorites, such as Lupin, The White Tiger, and the series Homeland. Another top watch is Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. 

 

As one of the country’s top creatives, Jason also enjoys beautifully-made and design-oriented titles. An example would be The Queen’s Gambit, whose cinematography and production design left him in awe. Another is Abstract: The Art of Design. “It truly is an inspiring watch for people in the creative field,” Jason shared. 

 

When using his Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Jason notes that nothing beats an immersive, cinematic movie experience. The Galaxy Buds Pro’s 360 Audio feature lets Jason immerse himself with cinematic sound, especially for action-packed blockbuster hits.

 

Enjoy the immersive sound and watch films with incredible realism with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. Customers can enjoy 10% off on this device when they purchase any participating Galaxy S, Note, Z, or Fold series smartphone until April 30, 2021^[1]. 

 

The Galaxy Buds Pro is priced at PHP 9,990 SRP and comes in stunning Phantom Black, Phantom Violet, and Phantom Silver. 

 

 

For more information about the Galaxy Buds Pro, visit samsung.com/ph.

Keep cool and beat the heat with this yummy chocolate drink

There’s no better time to whip up your favorite choco treats than this summer. Beat the heat with this easy-peasy chocolate banana smoothie. It’s made more special with the rich chocolate goodness of Swiss Miss.

Nothing beats mixing chocolate and bananas.  So, why not make a glass for everyone in the family today

 

Ingredients:

1 banana

1 pack Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate

Ice cubes 

¾ cup evaporated milk

Whipped cream/sprinkles (optional)

 

Instructions:

1.     Using a blender, mix in banana, Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate, ice cubes and evaporated milk.

2.     Blend until all the ingredients are smooth.

3.     Pour into a glass and top it off with whipped cream and/or sprinkle with toppings or drizzles like caramel or chocolate syrup.

 

You can enjoy the rich chocolate goodness of Swiss Miss as it is, or you can put a twist to it like this smoothie recipe. You’re free to experiment and share your own Swiss Miss creations by posting them online.

 

If you want to discover more recipe ideas like this, follow @SwissMissPH on Facebook.

Jadaone shares that her new film will take on a theme that’s close to her heart: Mother’s Day

Antoinette Jadaone, fresh from the success of Fan Girl, may be working on a surprise short film release soon. As Jadaone shared, fans may not have to wait too long to see the new film from the multi-award-winning filmmaker. As a director who has reached acclaim for providing different and refreshing takes on the well-explored themes of love and commitment, Jadaone has shared that her new film will take on a theme that’s close to her heart: Mother’s Day.  

“It’s been too long since I last directed a film, and I’m happy this is a story that’s close to my heart. This isn’t going to be a romantic story, but is still about unyielding and steadfast love nonetheless,” shared Jadaone. Pandemic withstanding, Jadaone has been busy the past month to ensure the film goes out on Mother’s Day May 9, with a special release on social media. 

 

When asked what the story is about, Jadaone replied, “Mothers come in all shapes and sizes. We don’t know what they’ve been through or going through. In this story particularly, we look at one special side of motherhood – one that we don’t hear being talked about very much. Although it is quite familiar to a lot of us.” 

 

Jadaone ends, “We hope we can somehow ‘hold the hands’ of mothers who are experiencing or have experienced the same thing as in the film.” 

 

Here’s looking forward to the new story that Jadaone has crafted.